New Ford Escape

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

What is our opinion on the 2014 Ford Escape? My wife wants a new car and we have looked around at all of the competitors in this class and have eliminated most of them. The Escape is still on our list. Any experience with them? Or the 2013 model as they are comparable?

My wife only occasionally needs some extra room, but she likes to sit higher up when driving than in a sedan. So, that is why were are looking at this class of vehicle.

Also, I am not sure if it would really make a difference by going with the 2.0L engine versus the 1.6L.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-26-2013, 12:20 PM

I had a moderately optioned 2014 2wd with the Ecoboost as a rental car and was seriously impressed. I drove it to W Texas and back in two days so I put quite a few miles on it. Good seats, nice fit and finish, very nice responsive engine, pretty good handling and ride, decent steering. My parents have a 2013 CRV that I've driven quite a bit, the Escape is vastly superior. If you are shopping for a small SUV I don't think you can go wrong with one.

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

Thanks for that feedback Matt. That is the kind of input that I was looking for.

Paul

Rot 911 · 08-26-2013, 12:33 PM

I think they did a nice job of copying the Honda CRV. My wife loves it. I think it is too girly for me. Did a test drive and it drove fine.

stinkindiesel · 08-26-2013, 12:33 PM

Just recently purchased a 2013 Toyota RAV4 for my wife. Sounds like her criteria is very similar. We bought a 2012 Camry hybrid back in December, but after driving it for 6 months, she decided she liked sitting up higher like she did in her old Lexus RX330. So all of a sudden, I'm driving the Camry and she's getting yet another new car :^(

We drove the CRV, Fiat L, Ford Escape, and the RAV4. We both agreed the Fiat was disappointing, and liked the Escape and the RAV4 better than the CRV. In the end, it boiled down to the dealer experience as much as anything. I liked the Escape performance, she liked the RAV4 styling. Pricing was very close for comparable options.

Gary

gprsh924 · 08-26-2013, 12:38 PM

My sister / dad just picked up a 2013 Rav 4. They cross shopped everything in this category. The escape seemed to have too many long-term reliability questions.

I drove the rav 4... I liked it.

enzo1 · 08-26-2013, 01:14 PM

stomachmonkey · 08-26-2013, 01:17 PM

I've driven 13" rentals for extended periods.

I liked it.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

We got a CR-V a couple of weeks ago. Almost an impulse buy but we had been considering getting another car. Wife spotted this one sitting up on the top deck of the transporter that was dropping off new cars at the dealer we'd taken our daughter's Civic to for service.
Daughter ended up with a new Accord and wife ended up with the CR-V. I test drove it and it was OK once you consider what it is and what it's designed for. It beats the heck out of her old '04 Mustang convert that drank gas like crazy so I'm not going to complain about it not going like a sports car. I'm hoping that with the normally aspirated engine, low rev's that the econ button forces we should have this one around for a good long time without any issues.

porwolf · 08-26-2013, 02:09 PM

Why do all new car faces have to look like Darth Vader?

Zeke · 08-26-2013, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porwolf

Why do all new car faces have to look like Darth Vader?

Where have you been for the last few years? I think they are actually starting to smooth them out a bit.

Balloonmeister · 08-26-2013, 03:00 PM

We had an Escape as an Avis rental for a week while in OR in late July and liked it so much that we asked for another one when renting a vehicle for Monterey last week. Very nice car. We had our golf clubs and all of our luggage while in OR and it had plenty of room. Drives very nicely. My only concern was the gas mileage (around 23mpg) which I thought was a little low (with the EcoBoost engine). If I was in the market I would seriously consider one.

david914 · 08-26-2013, 04:55 PM

I have had a 2013 Escape SE company car since last Fall. It's been a good car. It's had one recall to flash a firmware upgrade to correct a potential overheating issue, and had them lube the power windows because they would bind when it was cold. Only other issue is the occasionally quirky Microsoft Sync, which I use with my iPhone all day long. I haven't checked into any updates to the Sync system, so there might be an update. Nothing major, just the very infrequent lock up. Stereo sounds pretty good for a factory system (I'm an audio snob, so YMMV).

On the positive side, it handles GREAT, has decent acceleration (mine has the smaller 1.6 liter EcoBoost), and pretty good fit and finish. I wholeheartedly recommend considering buying.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I had a new CR-V for a couple weeks and just couldn't take it. Nice enough car but just not my thing. It does have a zillion storage places in it and is very utilitarian. But try passing someone on the freeway - good luck.

I don't care for the styling on the Ford but that is a personal thing. I decided I'd spend more money and get something that I really liked to drive. You can get a stripped one (RWD) close to $30K, but options add up quickly. Certainly will get more bang for your buck with the Ford as far as features but I love driving the X1

onewhippedpuppy · 08-26-2013, 06:44 PM

Sync seems to be universally flaky, I've had a number of Ford rentals with both the basic system and the Sony MyFordTouch system and they all have quirks. The system in my wife's 2012 F150 works but is frustrating at times.

Rloop · 08-29-2013, 12:33 PM

Driving a rental right now, with Ecoboost. Very impressive on mostly highway driving, downshifts in a heartbeat and holds the lower gear nicely. Interior leather is good, seating is good. Really nice package. AC will freeze you out. Never used Ford Sync before, but have heard the issues. Didn't seem too hard to do the basics -- radio, heating/cooling, Bluetooth for phone.....