Escape is actually a Mazda design. Trashing Ford is stupid in this case since the vehicle is in reality a rebranded Mazda Tribute. (Also, have you seen the CX6 and CX9? nice!)
That said, I have almost 40K on my 2005 6 cyl FWD Escape. It is a very quick car and I get very good mileage both in town and on the highway.
1.Escape
2.Sante Fe
3.CRV
4.RAV4
As mentioned earlier, look at the Escape Hybrid.
If you read my post, I didn't trash the Escape; I trashed Ford as a company. But its not 100% Mazda by any means. Ford is involved in parts and manufacturing and business decisions in cutting costs.
Actually, the Mazda is a rebadged Escape, sorry to break it to you. Just like the old B series truck was a rebadged Ranger.
It does go both ways however. The new Fusion, Milan, and MKZ are built off of the Mazda6 platform.
Back to the original post
GO WITH THE ESCAPE- OUTSTANDING VEHICLE!!!!
I have a 2001 RAV4 and absolutely love it. Never had problems with it and its still going. Get one.
Dude, Ford owns Mazda
lolol
RAV4 good one wrote:
RAV4, 2007 Limited. I have one and its fantastic. Good handling for an SUV, tons of cargo room. If you are in a hilly/mountainous area, the V6 is a necessity, and the gas mileage is not bad at all at 22/23 MPG.
Good christ I had a 1978 Ford LTD that got 22/23, and that sucked. When did we get accustomed to thinking 22/23 was GOOD? It's horrible fer crissakes. Find something that gets 30+ and start crowing about it..
Sorry to break what to me? Ford controls the decisions around the Escape. Ford is a bad company in my opinion. What is the controversy?
Once again, take a look at the Forester.
I average 24 city and nearly 30 highway in my 2004. Haven't priced cars recently, but when I bought by Subaru it was about $2000-3000 less than similarly equiped CR-Vs and RAV-4s. I have a hair under 50,000 miles on it right now and it drives like the day I bought it.
If you need a third row of seats, you're out of luck, but if you need a smaller SUV/wagon, the Forester is a solid option.
I would suggest you check out the Hyundai Veracruz before making a final decision. It has the look, feel, and capabilities of a much higher priced Acura or Lexus, but at under $30k. It's rock solid and backed with an unbeatable warranty.
Have you considered either the Jeep Compass or the Jeep Patriot? Both have EXCELLENT fuel economy. Compass sits a bit lower to the ground while the Patriot a bit higher. Both are built around the same engine.
I'd throw these two into your mix of consideration.
i have a 2000 rav4 - my third toyota in a row. i bought it new in spring 2000. i only have 50,000 miles. not one problem (knock on wood). lots of offers to buy it over the yrs. great vehicle & fun to drive.
Best compact SUV on the market. The AWD is great and the engine has plenty of power without being a total gas hog. (Mine gets 27 city/36 hwy.) And it has a lot more cargo space behind the back seat.
But if you're limiting yourself to the above choices, go with the CRV. Across the board, you will never beat the quality of a Honda. We also have an Element and it will likely run forever.
CRV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
??according to Subaru specs the Forrester has much less space behind the back seat than the CR-V or RAV-4
ESCAPE!!!!!!!