Though our Best Buys, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Mazda Tribute don't offer true off-road ability, they do mix ride comfort, cargo capacity, and versatility with all-weather traction. The V6 Tribute/Escape offers more power, comfort, and space than any in its class. CR-V has a bit more on-road refinement and cargo space.

Another car-based mini-SUV, Subaru Forester is a Recommended choice. Like the CR-V it doesn't have a low range for serious off-road use, but it blends excellent on-road manners with SUV styling. The Jeep Liberty may lack some of the advantages of more-carlike SUVs, but it leads the pack in off-road ability. It's Recommended as an affordable, capable competitor.

A fairly major freshening is expected for the 2004 or '05 Escape, though specifics are unknown. Mercury, meantime, reportedly gets a somewhat upscale version for '05, probably with as much new outer sheetmetal as Ford can muster so buyers don't confuse the two. Escape isn't getting much attention for the next couple of years so Ford can concentrate on launching its new midsize crossover SUV, the 2004 Freestyle, formerly known as CrossTrainer.

The drivetrain of the upcoming hybrid-power Escape emulates Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). In both, the gas engine handles all driving except full-throttle acceleration, when it's boosted by the motor/battery pack. Also like Honda's system, the gas engine shuts off when coasting or stopped, and a regenerative braking feature turns the motor into a generator for keeping the batteries juiced, so no external charging is needed. Ford has been keeping mum on battery range, but once claimed 500 miles on a tank of gas and a combined EPA city/highway rating of 40 mpg. Ford also promises a 1000-lb tow rating and acceleration comparable to that of a regular V6 Escape. Likely to be badged HEV for "Hybrid Electric Vehicle", this new model should cost some $3000 more than a normal V6 Escape.

Escape sales fell 11.4 percent in calendar 2002 after a fairly strong 2001. That's bad news for Ford, which needs every sale it can get nowadays. The decline likely reflects new competition, especially Honda's redesigned CR-V. Interestingly, sales of the related Mazda Tribute were essentially flat in '02.