
The original Escape came out in 2001. Back then it was marketed as the Explorer's smaller brother.
But it was based on a more carlike platform called the CD2. Itself based on the Mazda 626 architecture.
So we're talking light years ahead of the horrible Explorer.
For 2008, the Escape gets a new design and interior. As you can see, "blocky" is in.
The new shape makes the Escape look more trucky than before. The hood has been raised and now it almost looks totally flat from the driver's point of view.
I don't think that's an improvement. It is now harder to see anything up front.
And most people who really want a truck won't go for an Escape. To me, this doen't look better or more modern than the "old" design...

Same blocky, squared style inside.
But here, Blocky meets Cheap.
Not only there are almost no curves, but there is no quality materials either. I went through the whole interior and couldn't find any soft touch plastics. Except a little but od rubbery material on part of the armrests.
The whole interior screams cheap. It just looks like the only reason you bought that thing is because it was the cheapest thing around .



Here you can see the beautiful craftsmanship of the interior. Many plastic parts do not align properly. Stuff rattles in the back. Switch gear that looks like it was designed in 1983, exposed screws etc....
I have to say, this is the cheapest looking interior I have seen in years. Even worse than the Cobalt and on par with the Dakota. Although the Dodge used quite a bit of soft plastics and the whole thing felt much more solid.
But...Some people don't really care about interior plastics (Obviously), so. How does it drive?
Well. My test car had the base 2.3 Liter engine. I know, it doesn't produce that much power. (143 hp)
But I have to say, driving alone, it was actually enough most of the time.
Plus it is very quiet and refined. It is after all, a version of the Mazda engine used on the Mazda6.
But it is paired with a pretty horrible 4 speed auto. And that is too bad.
The transmission isn't very smooth at upshifting. (most new transmissions are now seamless)
And it refuses to downshift. No matter what you do. Unless you literally floor it.
So it feels like a bad CVT. No matter what you want, how fast you need to go. The transmission takes its time and refuses to follow orders.
Otherwise, the 2.3 could be a decent choice for single people or couples who don't carry much around.
I averaged almost 20 mpg in mostly city driving (about 80%).

The seats are pretty flat up front. And the back bench is about as uncomfortable as it looks.
Again, this reminds me of a 1990 Explorer.
The new Escape is much quieter than before. Around town or on the freeway. But it doesn't feel very stable past 65 mph.
Kind of floaty. The brakes are a bit hard. the steering has a bit of that fake video game feel to it, but is otherwise actually very nice.
So it seems that what works in the Escape is all the stuff that comes from Mazda. A solid frame and a very nice engine.
The Ford parts are pretty bad.
It looks and feels very cheap, the transmission is one of the worst around, and it just doesn't keep up at all with any of the competition.
It looks cheap, but is it actually cheaper?
-Ford Escape 2.3 Auto........ $20,435. (Carsdirect price: $19,030)
-Honda CRV LX....................$ 21,195 (Carsdirect price: $20,576)
-Toyota RAV4......................$ 23,035. (Carsdirect price: $21,978)
-Hyundai Santa Fe...............$ 21,815. (Carsdirect price: $19,658)
-Mitsubishi Outlander..........$ 20,615. (Carsdirect price: $19,669)
Sure. It is actually a little bit cheaper. Cheaper than other cars that are all much, much better. The Santa Fe even comes with a V6 standard.
I don't really understand who would consider the Escape as a purchase. If you're going to drive something every day, make payments on it for years, I'd want something more pleasant to be in.
Who is this car for?
For people who:
-Want to get a Ford and nothing else
-Don't know anything about cars and got lost at a Ford dealership
-Were looking at an Edge but couldn't afford it, and had to buy something that day.
-Are not aware of what year this is.
-Do not know they can buy something much better for the money.
I always say: if the car you really like is just a bit more, like $1000 or even $1500. Get it!
Over 3 or 5 years it will amount to just a few dollars more a month. And you'll be driving something you like.
You can't really go wrong in buying anything else. Sure, none of the cars mentioned above have amazing interiors, or expensive plastics everywhere. (The RAV4 interior also feels pretty cheap. But looks much better).
But they are pretty much the same price as the Ford. None of them are very expensive.
Buying this, I would really feel that I wasted my money and could have had something much better.
But that's just me...
If you love the Escape, go for it, it's your money....