2001-2004 Ford Escape: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Pros
- Visibility
- Cargo room
- Maneuverability
Cons
- Noise
- Control layout (early automatic)
Vehicle Highlights
Answering the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, Ford's compact SUV went on sale in summer 2000 as another four-door unibodied wagon with front-wheel drive or permanent 4WD. However, the Escape offered a V6 as well as four-cylinder power. Honda and Toyota rivals came only with four-cylinder engines. So did the Subaru Forester, which used a horizontally-opposed four-cylinder. An Escape was 4.6 inches shorter than the CR-V, but virtually equal in other dimensions. The Escape was developed jointly with Ford partner Mazda, which got its own version named the Tribute. Their new carlike platform was a Mazda design, but shared engines came from Ford. Escapes have more rugged styling than the Tribute, and were expected to account for 75 percent of the 135,000-unit annual output. Escapes came in XLS and uplevel XLT models. The four-cylinder engine was borrowed from the subcompact Focus line, teaming only with a floor-shifted manual transmission. The optional V6 came from the midsize Taurus, mating only with a column-shifted four-speed automatic. Escape's 4WD automatically sent up to 50 percent of power aft, when front wheel slippage was detected, but a 50/50 split could be locked in using a dashboard switch. No low-range gearing was included. Antilock braking was standard on XLT models, and optional for the XLS. Front side airbags were optional on both. Standard equipment included a rear liftgate with glass hatch and wiper, air conditioning, front bucket seats with console, and a CD player. A 60/40 split-fold rear seatback was standard on the XLT. Both versions used 15-inch wheels, but 16-inchers were optional for V6 XLT Escapes.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Ford Escape XLT 4WD Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 7 | |
| Total Score: | 54 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 2001-2004 Ford Escape includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2001-2004 Ford Escape and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2001-2004 Ford Escape is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Substantial feeling, roomy, comfortable, and even fun to drive, Escape and Tribute earn a slot on the compact SUV all-star team. They're also eminently sensible alternatives to any number of midsize SUVs, especially truck-based wagons, that are less efficient in their use of space and fuel. No wonder the Escape soon became America's top-selling compact SUV. Stay away from troublesome 4-cylinder models.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Ford Escape XLT 4WD Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 7 | |
| Total Score: | 54 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $650 |
| Alternator | $410 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $2,200 |
| Brakes | $455 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $410 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,850 |
| Exhaust System | $450 |
| Radiator | $475 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,125 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $550 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
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| 2004 | |||
| Escape 2WD | $7,300-10,300 | $6,600-9,300 | $3,600-5,000 |
| Escape 4WD | $8,400-11,500 | $7,600-10,400 | $4,400-6,000 |
| 2003 | |||
| Escape 2WD | $6,100-8,300 | $5,300-7,200 | $2,500-3,400 |
| Escape 4WD | $7,100-9,500 | $6,300-8,500 | $3,400-4,600 |
| 2002 | |||
| Escape 2WD | $5,000-6,300 | $4,300-5,400 | $2,000-2,500 |
| Escape 4WD | $5,900-7,200 | $5,100-6,300 | $2,500-3,000 |
| 2001 | |||
| Escape 2WD | $4,000-5,000 | $3,300-4,100 | $1,300-1,600 |
| Escape 4WD | $4,800-5,800 | $4,000-4,900 | $1,800-2,200 |
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Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door wagon | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 108.1 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 173.0 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.1 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 69.1 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3152 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 63.3 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 15.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.4 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.6 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.2 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.4 | |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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Powertrain Options and Availability
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 2.0 / 121 | 127-130 | 135 | 5-speed manual: 23/27 | 5-speed manual: -- |
| dohc V6 | 3.0 / 182 | 200-201 | 196-200 | 4-speed automatic: 19/24 | 4-speed automatic: 17.5 |
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EPA mileage with 4WD is 22/25 mpg for four-cylinder and 18/23 mpg for V6. Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.








