[ZTWsquared]

focuspilot23,Dec 13 2006, 10:11 PM Wrote:Does anyone know anything about the Ford Escape? are they decent cars? I'm thinking about trading my focus in for one, i need something a little larger than what the focus can offer.
[right][snapback]220148[/snapback][/right]

The Escape is certainly a respectable choice compared to the other vehicles in its segment, and if 4wd and a modest offroad capability is what you're looking for, you can't really go wrong in choosing it. Having said that you should also check out the Hyundai and the Kia as they are apparently surprisingly good.

But if you're looking for more interior space than your Focus, you might be disappointed in the value equation, ie: lots more money, very little if any additional space.

I get my dealer's Escape Hybrid as a loaner whenever I go there for service, and I have to say that as a relatively large person I feel more comfortable in my Focus wagon even though some of the Escape's numbers are actually a bit bigger. And I recommend a long test drive before you decide about the driving position - I don't care for it and the more I drive the worse it seems to get.

The overall interior volume of the Escape is only about 3% bigger than the Focus, and in fact with the rear seats up the Focus has considerably more interior cargo volume than does Escape.

It's only with the rear seats folded that the Escape has more cargo volume and even then it's not a big difference.

If you regularly use the rear seats, you may be surprised to know that Focus has more rear legroom, hiproom and headroom than does Escape - I know for a fact that kid's seats are a lot easier to put in and take out of the Focus vs. Escape.

If you're looking for 4wd, a high seating position and modest offroad capability ... and you don't mind the reduced fuel economy, poor handling (relative to Focus), and a price tag that could be double that of Focus -- Escape is not a bad choice.