2001 Ford Escape Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Ford Escape:

The Escape handles incredibly well, with none of the steering vagueness and ride tippiness that characterize so many SUVs, and its brakes are unusually strong.

-- Automobile

Escape is two inches shorter than the [Ford] Focus sedan, but inside has... nearly as much interior room as an [Ford] Explorer.

-- AutoWeek

I found the Escape's handling to be stable, predictable, and the driving experience to be enjoyable.

-- Canadian Driver

Being able to see the leading edge of the hood from the driver's seat makes the Escape easier to maneuver in tight places, whether you're deep in the woods or (more likely) in a tight big-city garage.

-- New Car Test Drive

The Ford Escape offers agile handling on both paved and unpaved roads. It rides smoothly and gets strong acceleration performance from an optional V6.

-- New Car Test Drive

...the easy-to-fold rear seatbacks, which can be lowered and raised one-handed...

-- Popular Mechanics

There's a rear liftgate with flip-up glass so you can quickly access the cargo area.

-- Woman Motorist

What reviewers liked least about the Ford Escape:

...consumers who want the base four cylinder, front-wheel-drive model with an automatic transmission are out of luck.

-- Canadian Driver

...snow traction was disappointing.

-- Car and Driver

Burdened with people and gear, a four-cylinder Escape is bound to be rather weedy.

-- Edmunds.com

...diminutive gas tank, which requires refilling every couple of days.

-- Popular Mechanics

Ford Escape Comparisons:

Neither the Toyota [RAV4] nor the Honda [CR-V] offers an optional V-6, and the Escape's V-6, mated exclusively to an automatic transmission, is much livelier than the [Nissan] Xterra's.

-- Automobile

...faster [0-60 mph] than... the Honda Civic EX coupe, Kia Sportage, Nissan Xterra, Saab 9-5 wagon and Lexus RX 300.

-- AutoWeek

First place (tie) [with the Mazda Tribute in 11-vehicle comparison].

-- Car and Driver

Ford Escape and the nearly identical Mazda Tribute may be the best small sport-utility vehicles sold today.

-- New Car Test Drive

...the Honda CR-V... looks dainty and dated by comparison.

-- New Car Test Drive

CR-V has only a four-cylinder engine." [Jeep] Cherokee has an optional six-cylinder with less horsepower but more torque.

-- USA Today

Best one-liner about the Ford Escape:

...if we just had to have one more SUV, this is the one to welcome with open arms.

-- Cars Everything

...likely to be the equal of the Chrysler P/T Cruiser as the darling of journalists and buyers alike.

-- Cars Everything

If you want boxy, buy an Escape or a Mazda Tribute.

-- The Detroit News

Perversely, but typically for Ford, expensive leather upholstery was less comfortable than cloth.

-- USA Today