The Ford Escape is a compact crossover and the original model was one of America's favorites. Released and developed with Mazda – it's almost the same as car as the Mazda Tribute.
Even if it is a compact SUV, it had the abilities of a larger one, yet it was easier to maneuver and park. The mid-sized model had enough room for 5 people to feel comfortable. The maximum towing capacity for an Escape with a towing package was around 1600kg.
The car is based on a unibody platform and came in two trim levels, XLS and XLT and was available with 2WD or AWD. The car is equipped with a four-wheel-lock system. Under the hood of the Escape we find a 3.0-liter V6 Duratec engine developing 200 hp, which would accelerate the car from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in a little over 10 seconds. It comes with an 4-speed automatic transmission, but gears can also be shifted manually.
Another option was a 2.0-L Zetec engine that could produce 130 hp and was more convenient due to its reduced fuel consumption compared to the 3.0-liter.
Some might say that the model was thirsty when it comes to fuel consumption, reaching 14-16L/100 km in regular use. The car was equipped with good safety features including seat-belts pre-tensioners and knee bolsters. All models had dual front airbags and the Limited trim level also had side airbags. The early XLS models did not have ABS.