Ford Escape Review
The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV sold by Ford Motor Company. It was introduced in 2000 as a 2001 model and was priced below the Ford Explorer. In europe, the Escape was sold in as the Ford Maverick. During the 2005 model year, Ford’s Mercury division released a luxury version named the Mercury Mariner which is only available in the United States. A hybrid version of the Escape was released in 2004, making it the first hybrid SUV on the market.
First Generation
The first generation Ford Escape was slotted below the larger Ford Explorer in Ford’s lineup, but larger than small SUV vehicles from Honda and Toyota. Ford had realized that most SUV owners did not take their vehicles off road, and decided to use a car-like Monocoque frame design with fully independent suspension and rack and pinion steering. Although not meant for off-roading, a full time all wheel drive system was optional and included a locking center differential activated by a switch on the dashboard. The all wheel drive system sends most of the power from the engine to the front wheels under normal driving conditions. If wheel-slipping is detected at the front, power will be sent to the rear wheels. The braking system was built by Continental Teves and included ABS.
Hybrid Model
In 2004, Ford released the Escape Hybrid. This hybrid-electric vehicle is 75% more fuel-efficient according to Environmental Protection Agency tests. The Escape Hybrid offers a 110 volt AC (150 watt) plug-in outlet, for powering small accessories, as a factory option. The internal combustion engine supplied for the the hybrid model uses the Atkinson cycle for efficiency. In January 2006, Ford showed off a prototype Escape Hybrid that would allow E85 fuel to be used.
Second Generation
The 2008 Ford Escape made its debut at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The Escape and Mercury Mariner were redesigned in order to stay competitive with other compact SUVs, althought it still uses the same platform. Ford also made an electronic stability control system standard on the 2008 Escape. This new Escape received some styling from the Explorer, Edge, and Expedition. Some of the changes include a new grille, larger headlamps, cleaner side lines and rounder wheel arches. The interior was also completely redesigned, including the Ford family navigation system. The 2008 Escape and Mercury Mariner were the first vehicles to feature Ford’s pull-drift steering compensation system, an upgrade which used software to control the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.
A concept version for the Asian market, named the Ford Escape Adventure Concept, was shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. It features revised front and rear fascia and restyled LED tail lamps.