The Ford Escape compact 4WD comes with the choice of four and six By Eric Blair
THE Ford Escape is a smallmedium 4WD which was jointly developed by Ford in the USA and Mazda in Japan, the latter version being sold as the Mazda Tribute.
For most of the period that the Escape and the Tribute have been on the market (since early 2001), the Mazda has been easily outselling the Ford, probably because of better marketing.
It’s certainly nothing to do with any inherent difference between the two vehicles although Mazda probably did steal a march on Ford by including the option of a fourcylinder engine right from the start.
Ford held off until the arrival of its newest fourcylinder design at the start of 2004 to get some extra power in a comparatively heavy vehicle.
Performance from the smaller engine is likely to be enough for most drivers.
It’s not startling in its acceleration and can take a fair bit of time to overtake, but otherwise it feels fine.
Refined and smooth in its output it pulls from modest revs and remains happy at the top end of the rev scale.
The lighter mass of the fourcylinder engine takes a load off the front suspension.
That and further suspension tuning for the 2004 model to suit Australian conditions mean Ford Escape is very nicely balanced.
It corners almost as well as a conventional car though, as always in a 4WD, you have to be aware of the higher centre of gravity.
Ford Escape is surprisingly rigid for a vehicle with monocoque construction and can be used in genuine offroad driving areas right up to the bottomend of heavyduty work provided you don’t need the lowdown grunt of a twospeed transfer box that is, because the Escape doesn’t have it.
Another advantage of monocoque construction is that the body can be made more refined, smoother and quieter. It’s also easier to build in crash crushability to extend the collision as long as possible thus protecting occupants.
Drive is normally only to the front wheels, with the rear wheels getting some of the excessive torque sent backwards when the transmission senses the front tyres are slipping.
There’s a handy locking function that allows for a constant 50/50 torque split for offroad use which makes it more capable offroad than most owners are likely to desire so it’s an excellent medium duty fun machine.
Ford Escapes all have automatic transmissions. It’s a welladjusted unit that is generally in the right gear to make the best use of the engine’s power, but a manual would be nice…
There’s plenty of interior space for four adults and there’s good room for three children across the back seat.
Luggage space is excellent for a vehicle of this size and the load area can be accessed either by way of the hinged glass or a tophinged full tailgate.
Inquire about the Ford range at David Nutter Ford, 749 Princes Highway, Berwick, phone 8768 2222, or Freeway Ford, 200 High Street, Cranbourne, phone 5991 2300. MODEL RANGE
Escape XLS 2.3litre fivedoor wagon $31,990
Escape XLS 3.0litre fivedoor wagon $33,990
Escape XLT 2.3litre fivedoor wagon $36,525
Escape XLT 3.0litre fivedoor wagon $37,990
Escape Limited 3.0litre fivedoor wagon $41,750
