Thoughts on 2013 Ford Escape~

[SAR-K9's]

Just as my trigger finger was beginning to tense and start to pull back on a 2012 2.5 (most likely) Limited, a new target (contender) has come into my sight picture....
I know....comparing a 2012 OB with a 2013 Ford Escape is in the "apples & oranges" realm... But still...thought I'd kick off a discussion and get eveyone's 2 cents here.

When I first saw the "Concept" version of '13 Escape, I thought it was THEE ugliest thing I'd EVER seen!!! But I've got to admit the design of the production model has "grown" on me a bit. Still not in "love" with the looks...but my original position has softened.
There will be 3 different engines offered: naturally aspirated 2.5 4 cyl w/168 hp / 167 torque.....1.6 "EcoBoost" w/173 hp / 177 torque....and a 2.0 "EcoBoost" w/ 237 hp / 250 torque (this last combo will have a towing capacity of 3500lbs).
Won't bore you with any other details, but it will have a much upgraded interior, a million tech bells & whistles to choose from (Ford feels they've got the glitches out of their Sync/MyTouch system now), max. cargo of 68.1, etc., etc.
When I first began car shopping a number of months ago, I began looking at the new Explorer. But, by the time one added much of ANYTHING to it in the way of options, the price was in the, "I'd be paying HOW MUCH? For a freakin' FORD!?!?!?" category. (Ford's pricing was a big reason I became interested in the Outback). So, I'm guess they'll probably do the same with the Escape.
Still think I'll end up with an OB, if for no other reason that I don't want to wait another 4 to 6 months until the Escape comes out just to test drive it.
Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out for discussion and see what y'all thought...?

[DrCloud]

We just finished 18 days in a rental Escape, AWD with OEM all-seasons, in the Colorado mountains. It was quite new, probably the 2012 base version (which is what Hertz would purchase for its fleet).

It surprised me, favorably. I'm not sure I'd buy one, but I liked it better than most of the other small SUVs I've rented lately. If they improve it for next year, they might really have something. HPH

[SAR-K9's]

Originally Posted by DrCloud

We just finished 18 days in a rental Escape, AWD with OEM all-seasons, in the Colorado mountains. It was quite new, probably the 2012 base version (which is what Hertz would purchase for its fleet).

It surprised me, favorably. I'm not sure I'd buy one, but I liked it better than most of the other small SUVs I've rented lately. If they improve it for next year, they might really have something. HPH

When you get a chance, just Google 2013 Ford Escape (or go to Ford.com) to see what the new design looks like. It's a TOTAL departure from the older, boxy SUV style (which I actually didn't mind). Jury is still a bit out for me on this new design. Don't HATE it...but......???

[statueim]

I haven't seen much of the 2013 escape, but I also just finished a rental in a 2012 Escape (what I believe was a front wheel drive based on fuel economy) through Hertz in Northern California for 5 days. I didn't go off road, but I did get to drive on some really nice hills in San Francisco and did a lot of a freeway driving. I can safely say that Ford has a long way to go with the car I drove in order to win my business back. I grew accustomed to how it handled after five days, but I know people complain about the body roll in the 4th gen outbacks and you'd hear a lot more complaining if you made those individuals drive an escape. It's to be expected for a vehicle of it's size, but it just wasn't as fun to drive as my outback. My biggest complaint about the interior is that the button placement on the steering wheel was awkward for volume/cruise control and not well-integrated into the steering wheel like it is on the outback. Also, there was a terrible "knocking" occasionally when changing gears from 2nd to 3rd--the car had about 3,000 miles--and that keeps doubt in my mind as to the quality Ford is putting out there (my last experience with a recent Ford was my mother's total lemon of a 2002 Taurus). I was very happy to be back and in my Outback again last night (and not just because there's snow on the ground in Ohio :-D).

All in all, I'd say wait a year at the very least if you would go with a 2013 Escape for Ford to hopefully work out some first year kinks, but it certainly wouldn't be a car I would give much thought to test driving given the 2012 I just drove (and this is coming from a guy who loved his old Ranger).

[Soon2bSubaru]

I looked at CRV, RAV4, and Escape. They were all too small for me with definitely not enough driver leg room. I don't see much difference in the size of the '13 Escape. While I am liking the styling better than the old boring boxy styling on previous Escapes, it would appear that it is still too small for me to consider purchasing.

[SAR-K9's]

Originally Posted by Soon2bSubaru

I looked at CRV, RAV4, and Escape. They were all too small for me with definitely not enough driver leg room. I don't see much difference in the size of the '13 Escape. While I am liking the styling better than the old boring boxy styling on previous Escapes, it would appear that it is still too small for me to consider purchasing.

Yes...all of the contender's I've looked at (plus many more)! So...what are you Soon2b driving? 2.5 or 3.6....or still on the fence?

[Soon2bSubaru]

Originally Posted by SAR-K9's

Yes...all of the contender's I've looked at (plus many more)! So...what are you Soon2b driving? 2.5 or 3.6....or still on the fence?

Still in my Prius with 145K on the odometer and never been in the shop. But I got a 5'X9' Teardrop trailer coming and it's time for something that can do it all - tow, commute with decent mileage, comfortable (which the Prius is not), visit the mother in law in Tahoe, trips to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, etc.
Looking at a Gen 4 OB 2.5. On the fence about CVT or 6 spd manual though...

[SAR-K9's]

Originally Posted by Soon2bSubaru

Still in my Prius with 145K on the odometer and never been in the shop. But I got a 5'X9' Teardrop trailer coming and it's time for something that can do it all - tow, commute with decent mileage, comfortable (which the Prius is not), visit the mother in law in Tahoe, trips to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, etc.
Looking at a Gen 4 OB 2.5. On the fence about CVT or 6 spd manual though...

I was trying to figure that one out as well...but didn't seem to read many reviews of those with the 6 spd manual who really liked it. Seemed like the description of "sloppy" kept coming up...

[SAR-K9's]

Originally Posted by statueim

All in all, I'd say wait a year at the very least if you would go with a 2013 Escape for Ford to hopefully work out some first year kinks, but it certainly wouldn't be a car I would give much thought to test driving given the 2012 I just drove (and this is coming from a guy who loved his old Ranger).

That's a VERY good point. This is such a major redesign/overhaul of EVERYTHING on the new Escape that I'm sure there will be LOTS of kinks & bugs to be worked out in that first year!

[BenofW]

From what i see the 2013 design is really nice. It would be a toss up between the Escape and the Cmax honestly.