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| 2005 Ford Escape Review | |||
| Whether you're about to spend $40K on a brand new car, or half that on a used car, it is always important to learn as much as you can about the used car. Read these car reviews to learn about all aspects of the vehicle. Each of the usedcar reviews cover interior and exterior features, options, road tests, and more. | |||
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Introduction
| Road Test
| Inside & Out
| Other Thoughts
| Last Word
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| Inside & Out | |||
If you want to announce to the world that you're trying to save it, look elsewhere. Aside from subtle Hybrid badges, barely-different wheels (of identical size), and a rear-window vent for the 330-volt battery pack, the hybrid Escape looks like the others. Ford also left the body alone, foregoing the binge dieting measures like aluminum body parts, spoilers, or low-rolling resistance tires practiced by Honda.Status quo was the interior plan as well. Some of Ford's typical bonehead ergonomics are present: cruise controls that take up more space than they should (and are unlit at night) and climate controls that are both overcomplicated and missing in features. Rocker-style power window switches threaten the necks of young children and the steering wheel doesn't telescope. Otherwise, it's one of Ford's better interiors. Comfortable, supportive seats (a tad too reclined) team up with foreign car-style door locks, headlights, and wiper controls, the gauges are crisp, the seatbelts adjust for height, and the cubbyholes are roomy. A hybrid bonus is the optional three-pronged power outlet to support any household appliance that can get by on 150 watts. There's also a 12-volt outlet next to it and a cigarette lighter not far away. In the driver's instrument cluster, the temperature dial got replaced by a needle pointing to whether the battery pack is getting juice or giving it - simple and effective. (There's no gauge for the battery itself.) The tachometer drops to zero to indicate electric operation, while all the other hybrid statistics are contained in the 4-inch display in the radio. Switch to one screen to watch fuel economy, another to watch the dynamics of power flowing between the various components (engine, electric motor, battery pack, wheels). Secondly, this little screen houses the navigation system. It's not a touch-screen model, so you need to switch between nudging the toggle mouse (think iDrive mini) and pressing side-screen buttons - much less friendly than Honda's approach. The system in our test car was also glitchy and wouldn't let me finish programming a single address. The third part of this entertainment system is the upgraded 7-speaker "Audiophile" stereo (not MP3 compatible), which sounds so much better than in Ford's other products that you wonder if there's any relation. All three items come together in one $1,850 package. Air conditioning is sometimes a hybrid sore spot; the Escape's system is belt-driven and therefore reliant on the engine. Leaving it in normal AC mode has the compressor shutting off whenever the engine does; turn the dial to "MAX AC" and the engine will stay on to keep you cool. This isn't as sophisticated as the Prius' electrical air conditioner or the Accord's hybrid unit, but at least there's a choice. The Escape might set the back seat standard for compact SUVs, at least in terms of space. Room is pretty up there for a 175-inch vehicle, as is being able to fit a flat floor despite all-wheel-drive hardware. Headroom is abundant for all, and those heads can be saved by the new Safety Canopy option (side and side-curtain air bags). With all head restraints removed, the back seats tumble to form a flat 65.5 cubic foot load floor. There's still a decent 27.6 behind the back seat, and it's all hidden from looky-loos by the retractable cargo cover. Lastly, the rear window opens independently of the liftgate for extra convenience. |
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