2005 Ford Escape Review

Specifications

A New Look Inside and Out

Forgive the 2005 Ford Escape if it feels a little over-looked. You would too, if on the eve of your makeover unveiling a fancy pants cousin showed up to steal your thunder.

Thats exactly what happened to the redesigned Escape when the all-new Ford Escape Hybrid was unveiled in early summer as a 2005 model. Earths first and only SUV hybrid the headlines bellowed two months ago, capturing the motoring publics attention with an application of hybrid technology more logical than the small two-seaters that have been produced to date.

With a sticker price close to the 2005 Escape 4X4 V6 model (this weeks test drive), rising oil prices and rising environmental concerns, the Escape Hybrid will certainly eat into, or maybe more accurately, add to the sales of Americas most popular compact SUV. It will be interesting, and telling, to see how the hybrid does against the gas-powered model, as apart from the power supplies they are very similar vehicles.

The conventionally-powered 2005 Escape enters the competition well-prepared for battle, however. In addition to getting refreshed looks inside and out, the biggest changes to the model include an all-new four-cylinder engine with newly available automatic tranny, along with updates to the V6 engine.

Other improvements include a new 4WD system; a quieter interior; improved ride and better braking.

Also, the substantially refitted interior comes with a standard flow-through console and a floor shifter.

In terms of safety features, the 2005 Escape earned the second-highest rating, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That is significant because in 2001, when the institute last tested the Escape, crash tests indicated the driver would suffer a serious head injury. Obviously Ford engineers took that to heart when they redesigned the new model.

For 2005, the Escape is available in three trims: base XLS, mid XLT and top-of-the-line Limited. A new 4WD system improves traction and stability in the 4×4 models, though the front-wheel-drive configuration still gets the job done on the blacktop just fine.

Brakes are also upgraded in the 2005 Escape, with standard ABS now on all models, and V6 4X4 trims coming with new large disc brakes that Ford claims have a life expectancy five times as long as previous discs.

As mentioned, a new four-cylinder engine — a Duratec 2.3-liter — is now available and produces 153 horsepower, a vast improvement over the 127 ponies the anemic 2.0-liter four-banger in the 2004 model put out. The most important aspect of the additional power, to some at least, is that the new engine increases its towing capacity from 1,000 to 1,500 pounds.

My tester came with the retooled six-cylinder, a smooth and powerful engine producing 200 horsepower. When equipped with the proper tow package, the V6 Escape can pull up to 3,500 pounds.

Judging from the improvements made in the new Escape, Ford has every intention of trying to hang on to the top spot in this market segment despite increased competition.

And with no real misstep in the 2005 model, apart from some suspect fit and finish in the cabin, the slightly thirsty V6 and a fairly steep fully-loaded price tag of $29,535 — which has it approaching the price of a reasonably well equipped midsize SUV — expect to see many more Escapes coming to roadways near you.