Value for the Money
By any name, these compact SUVs are solid, spacious, practical, and pleasant enough to drive. In 2005-06, they ranked as Best Buys. Competitive new-car pricing has made them high-value alternatives to some larger truck-based SUVs that use more gas and don't have significantly more interior space. Still, these are among the oldest designs in the compact-SUV field. Until the Mariner offered a gasoline/electric powertrain, the Escape Hybrid was America's only compact SUV hybrid, and it adds fuel savings to Escape's other attributes. Though base new-vehicle prices have been relatively steep, an Escape doesn't compromise performance. Escape resale values have been lower than those for most Ford products, which can be good news for used-vehicle shoppers.