- suv 83,685
- 11,950 overpriced
- Indio, CA
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- autoshopper.com
2005 ford escape review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Fresh looks, more power, better ride, and the first gas-electric suv. introductionford escape is the best-selling of all the small, affordable sport-utilities, and it's a solid choice among these so-called cute utes. It's compact but practical. Folding down the rear seats reveals a flat, moderately sized cargo area. Best of all, its prices are relatively low, up only an average of 1 percent over 2004 prices. for 2005, escape has a fresh new face, new headlamps, and a brightened interior. The standard manual transmission is new, with lighter shifting efforts and shorter throws. And a revised suspension improves the ride. but the biggest news is that the escape hybrid has finally arrived, using a special version of the 2. 3-liter gas engine teamed with an electric motor. There's a choice of three powerplants and a choice of transmissions. xls 19,265) is the base model and comes standard with air conditioning, illuminated remote entry, power windows and mirrors, tilt steering column, center console, 15-inch steel wheels and an am/fm/cd/cassette audio system with clock. It has a balance shaft for smoothness, and it comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission. New this year is xlt sport 23,690 fwd; $25,440 awd) with all the xlt standard equipment plus 16-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, p235/70r16 tires, painted dark shadow gray fascias, bodyside cladding, wheel lip moldings and black step bars. limited 24,615) and limited 4wd 26,365) come with premium leather seats, seat heaters, front side-impact air bags, dual front sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated exterior mirrors, a reverse sensing system, and a mach audio in-dash six-cd changer with automatic volume control. Limited sports a monochrome exterior with body-colored trim and bright machined 16-inch aluminum wheels. option packages are available for each trim level. Xlt premium package 1230) includes leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 60/40 split rear bench seat, front door map pockets, an overhead console with dual storage bins, a front passenger under-seat storage tray, and a power moonroof with sunshade. Also available for 2005 is the limited luxury comfort package, which includes the mach audio system, heated side-view mirrors, reverse sensing system, front and rear premium leather-trimmed seats and heated front seats. the escape hybrid is priced about $4,000 more than a v6, and is available in all trim levels. walkaroundford escape's jaunty exterior is fitted with new headlamps, new fog lamps, a new egg-crate grille, new front and rear fascias and new 15- and 16-inch aluminum wheels. The lower bumpers now have ribs in them. The result of all this is a fresher, more contemporary look for escape. New paint colors include sonic blue, norse blue, silver metallic and titanium green. escape is wider than other compact suvs, giving it a well-planted road demeanor. Its forward-poised stance, large wheel lips, wide body cladding, and integrated bumper guard lend a functional appearance, while its short front and rear overhangs add to its sporting appeal. The escape has a family resemblance to the ford explorer and expedition, and looks bolder and more aggressive than the honda cr-v. being able to see the leading edge of the hood from the driver's seat makes the escape easier to maneuver in tight places. Its 7. 8 inches of ground clearance may help clear some obstacles, but not big rocks. Outside door handles are easy to grab and feel like they're going to last. accessories from ford outfitters include a snap-in pet barrier and a system to haul two mountain bikes in the cargo area. Bike racks can also be mounted on the roof; the standard roof rack with crossbars holds up to 100 pounds. Foot rails are designed to make it easier to lift kayaks, snowboards and other toys onto the roof rack. The rear bumper is also designed to aid roof access. the no boundaries rack system features a sliding rail that can be repositioned from the roof to the rear of the vehicle, locking into the bumper. This provides two separate loading surfaces: a traditional roof rack and a vertically oriented rack across the rear. When not in use, the sliding rails can be stored within the conventional roof portion of the rack system. interiorthe 2005 escape gets a redesigned interior. The shifter on automatic models has been moved off of the column and onto the floor. Other changes include new gauges, upgraded seats, new fabrics, and more interior storage. the escape is a compact suv, so the front seats are nearly as roomy as the explorer's. However, getting in or out of the front seats is made easier by low door sills and wide door openings. The xls has manually adjustable seats trimmed with cloth. Xlt gets premium cloth trim. Leather is optional. ford upgraded escape's interior for 2003 with improved interior materials, but for 2005 a substantial interior restyling includes a standard console and floor shifter. (apparently the voice of the customer was heard.) illuminated switches for the power windows and power locks make them easier to find. white-faced instruments are set in a simple, easy-to-understand instrument panel. The audio system and heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls in the center stack are angled slightly toward the driver for easier access while driving. side-impact airbags are standard on limited, optional 345) on xls and xlt. Pretensioners combined with load-limiting retractors are standard on front-seat belts. In a crash, these pretensioners automatically tighten the belts, while the load limiters are designed to reduce the risk of chest injuries in severe collisions. (we strongly recommend always wearing seatbelts as they are the first line of defense in a crash; more than half of the nation's approximately 42,000 traffic fatalities each year are people not wearing seatbelts.) the rear seats offer good knee room. The rear seats are split 60/40 for greater versatility. The rear-seat cushion can be removed for more load-carrying capacity. Larger-diameter front shocks and a new front stabilizer system have been fitted for 2005 to better control ride motions. The suspension has a comparatively taut ride quality, without the roly-poly and mushy ride that characterizes larger suvs with big off-road tires and long-travel suspensions. The escape handles better than a jeep liberty or toyota rav4, and is quicker than a honda cr-v. Steering is responsive, direct and accurate with no dead spot in the center. There's enough feeling in the steering to impart a sense of control. Though this is not a sports car, the tires grip respectably in paved corners. While there's no such thing as too much power, it never feels lacking in the escape. The transmission shifts smoothly up and down, and chooses gears appropriately for the situation. The engine's broad power band never lugs or strains. This isn't the smoothest v6 on the market, nor is it the roughest. Abs comes into play just when expected and is detectable by the familiar pulsating sensation. Brake assist, designed to assist the driver with full braking p. AM/FM✔ Power Locks✔ Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Cruise Control✔ CD Changer✔ Leather Seats✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Air Conditioning✔ Aluminum Wheels
11,950 Indio, CAIndio, CA at autoshopper.com