|
2001 Ford Escape: Escape Tactics
|
| 2001 Ford Escape: Escape Tactics |
|
| Updated |
Mar 17, 2005 19:41:50 |
| Rating |
 663 ( -93 -14.02% ) | | Author | Tara Baukus Mello |
|
|
Description:
Bright yellow, with a somewhat aggressive stance, the 2001 Ford Escape is like one of the baby pandas at the San Diego Zoo. It's unique coloring makes it a standout in a jungle. It's a compact size (compared to the full-size panda) makes it still sizable, but in an adorable way. And, despite its looks, you really wouldn't want to have to mess with one. Our test Escape, in its Chrome Yellow hue, was a looker from every angle. On the street corner, in front of us, behind us, alongside us, everywhere people checked us out. There was no escaping the sideways glances we received every time we slid behind the wheel. Although SUV sales are slowing, what is rising in popularity are "cute-utes" and crossover utility vehicles that provide the versatility of the larger SUVs in a smaller, more economical and more fuel-efficient package. Such is the case with Ford's latest addition to its SUV lineup. Designed to compete against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Escape is what Ford describes as an "active lifestyle" vehicle, offering a standard roof rack and a variety of optional features through Ford Outfitters, including a bike rack that will store two mountain bikes in the rear of the vehicle with the hatch closed. The uni-body design offers Nissan Xterra-like packaging combined with classic Ford styling cues, while a four-wheel independent front suspension contributes to relatively smooth handling and less of a truck-like ride. The Escape comes with a disc/drum brake arrangement with anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) as standard equipment on XLT models and optional equipment on the XLS. Front-wheel drive is standard on the 2001 Ford Escape, while Control Trac II, a four-wheel drive system for those with mild off-road driving or towing in mind is an option. Indeed, the Escape held up much better than similar-sized cute-utes when traversing the winding canyons of Southern California. The vehicle felt very stable, despite its higher center of gravity, which often contributes to body roll in vehicles of this size and height. Power on the Escape is adequate with the standard 130 horsepower, 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine, but we would recommend the optional 200 horsepower, 3.0-liter, V-6 engine. Our V-6-powered test model was well worth the extra $1,480, offering plenty of power for our daily needs as well as enough strength to tow a 3,500-pound trailer. Inside, the Escape has seating for five, and with the optional 60/40-split rear seat, rear passengers will be able to recline the seat back for additional comfort. To provide extra room for cargo, the rear seat folds flat and flips forward. Standard comfort and convenience features include remote keyless entry, cloth seats, roof rack, auto-off headlights, air conditioning, rear heating ducts, power moonroof, power front and rear windows with one touch down function, tilt steering wheel and AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player. The 2001 Ford Escape XLT starts at $20,820. Our test model, with the 3.0-liter V-6 engine, side air bags, AM/FM, six-disc, in-dash CD changer and comfort package was priced at $25,650. While it may be diminutive in stature compared to its Ford siblings, the Escape is big on personality. "Active lifestyle" or not, the Escape has plenty of versatility to meet your needs, whether they be carting the kids around town, making runs to the local home improvement store or taking off for a weekend of outdoor fun. By Tara Baukus Mello
for Autobytel, inc. Copyright 2001, Tara Baukus Mello. All Rights Reserved.
Standard Equipment:
Dual front airbags are standard, and front seat side-impact air bags are optional. Engine choices include a 2.0L 130-hp DOHC four-cylinder engine coupled with a five-speed manual transmission, or a 3.0L 200-hp twin-cam V-6 combined with a five-speed automatic transmission.
Pricing
The 2001 Ford Escape XLT starts at $20,820. Our test model, with the 3.0-liter V-6 engine, side air bags, AM/FM, six-disc, in-dash CD changer and comfort package was priced at $25,650. |
| Similar news: | - 2001 Slump May Not Have Been Recession at All - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Not only was the US recession in 2001 the shallowest on record, it may not have been one at all -- at least in the classic sense of two straight quarterly declines, new government data show.
- Honda Sees Record Car, Bike Sales in 2005 - Honda Motor Co. forecast on Mondayanother year of record car and motorcycle sales in 2005, whenit will remodel its flagship Civic car and enter new vehiclesegments such as the popular pickup sector in the UnitedStates.
- Urban Outfitters Profit Up 72 Percent - Clothing retailer Urban Outfitters Inc. on Thursday reported a 72 percent jump in quarterlyprofit, beating the average Wall Street forecast, due to costcontrols and higher sales.
| | Find all news similar on 2001 Ford Escape: Escape Tactics |
|
