2001FordEscapeFord Escape2001 Ford Escape XLT FWDMini-Sport UtilityWagonFWDClaycomo, MOThe Escape is Ford's new SUV. Smaller in size than the Explorer (and dwarfed by an Excursion), the Escape competes in the same class as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Its main calling cards are an optional V6 engine and a large interior.Strong V6 engine, plenty of interior space, car-like road manners.Lacks the off-road capability of a truck-based SUV, barely adequate base engine, unknown reliability.One of the benefits of coming late to the party is that when you do arrive, you can make a big splash. That's what Ford is doing with the 2001 Escape. Designed to battle the Honda CR-V, Nissan Xterra, Toyota RAV4 and others of the small-SUV ilk, the five-passenger Escape is marked by a larger interior and a more powerful optional engine. As an added bonus, it's also priced very competitively. These factors position the Escape for tremendous success in a growing market. Developed in partnership with Mazda, Escape comes in XLS or XLT flavors. Base models have two-wheel drive and a 2.0-liter Zetec four-cylinder engine making 130 horsepower and 135 foot-pounds of torque. Burdened with people and gear, a Zetec Escape is bound to be rather weedy. Fortunately, there is an optional Duratec 3.0-liter V6. With 200 horsepower and 200 foot-pounds of torque, it is the most powerful engine in its class. Equipped with the V6 and the standard four-speed automatic transmission, the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Both the four-cylinder and V6 engines are LEV compliant. The Escape also comes in either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. As opposed to Ford's larger SUVs, the 2WD Escape is front-wheel drive. The 4WD system can be set to either "4x4 automatic" or "4x4 lock" mode. In automatic mode, power is applied to the rear wheels only when a loss of traction occurs. In the locked mode, the Escape applies power to all four wheels at all times. The Escape does not have a low-range transfer case, however. Sporting rugged good looks, Ford hopes the Escape will appeal to young families and people with active lifestyles. Don't let the outside fool you, though. Underneath, the Escape is more car than truck. The unibody chassis is equipped with rack-and-pinion steering, a four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel ABS through a front disc/rear drum arrangement. One particularly cool feature is the sturdy roof rack that slides rearward and hinges down to make loading and unloading up to 100 pounds of cargo easy. Attachments for skis and bikes will be available from Ford dealers. Inside, the Escape offers a big allotment of space for passengers and cargo. Rear passengers get 36.9 inches of legroom. With the rear seats removed, The Escape offers 68.5 cubic feet of cargo. Cabin highlights include an optional six-disc in-dash CD changer and a 300-watt sound system, standard air conditioning and optional side airbags. Ford claims affordability and durability were top priorities. Mazda's input should be of help here, but it is always difficult to determine reliability on a totally new platform such as the Escape. Regardless, Ford's Escape should be on your short list of mini-SUVs to look at. Honda CR-VKia SportageSuzuki Grand VitaraToyota RAV4336,000336,000336,0005UnlimitedNANANA42 litersInline127 hp @ 5900 rpm135 ft-lbs. @ 4700 rpm63 cu.ft.978 lbs.3500 lbs.173 in.70.1 in.67.8 in.3074 lbs.103.1 in.37.3 ft.7.8 in.40.4 in.39.2 in.56.3 in.55.9 in.53.4 in.49 in.41.6 in.36.4 in.5StandardStandardNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested15.3 gal.23 mpg / 28 mpg352 mi. / 428 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$18,164$19,4007.35%$540N/A3% of the Total MSRPXLS FWD (5M): 2.0L I4 DOHC SMPI 16-valve engine with variable valve timing; 5-speed OD manual transmission; battery with rundown protection; front-wheel drive, 4.58 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent suspension with rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 15.3 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; liftback rear cargo door; roof rack; front and rear black bumpers, rear step bumper; black bodyside cladding, rocker panel extensions; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen auto-off headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote black folding outside mirrors; 15" x 6.5" silver styled steel wheels with P225/70SR15 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo w/clock, seek-scan feature, single-disc CD player, 4 speakers, fixed antenna; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety reardoor locks, power remote hatch release, mechanical fuel filler door release; 2 power accessory outlets, front lighter element, retained accessory power, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function, fixed 1/4 vent windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, flip-up rear window, fixed-interval rear wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with fixed headrests, driver's and front passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; full-folding rear bench seat with tilt headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, full cloth headliner, full color-keyed carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light withdelay, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; day/night rearview mirror; partial floor console, locking glove box, front and rear cupholders; carpeted cargo floor, cargo tie downs, cargo light; black grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding and black door handles.
XLT FWD (5M) (in addition to or instead of XLS FWD (5M) equipment): 4-wheel antilock braking system; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; P225/70SR15 OWL A/S tires; cassette player; cruise control with steering wheel controls; 3 power accessory outlets; panic alarm, security system; driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment, lumbar support; 60/40 folding rear split-bench seat; premium cloth seats, vinyl door trim insert, carpeted floor mats; interior lights include front reading lights; vanity mirrors; 2 seatback storage pockets; cargo cover, cargo net and chrome grille.
4WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of FWD (5M) equipment): Automatic full-time 4-wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and electronic shift..