2010 Ford Escape Review

For 2010, the Escape, Ford's smallest crossover SUV, gets a variety of new features, including a self-parking option. The Escape seats five in two rows of seats. The rear seat is split 60/40 and can be folded down to increase cargo space. Ford's optional voice-activated Sync multimedia system now includes traffic and weather information. Since its introduction, the Ford Escape has been one of America's best-selling small SUVs. Considering how many other vehicles are available in this segment this may come as a bit of a surprise. The Ford Escape is a compact four-door SUV. Due to its light-duty four-wheel-drive system, fully independent suspension and unibody construction, it's more suited for on-road driving than off-roading. Its underlying structure was developed with input from Mazda, whose Tribute is very similar to the Escape. The Mercury Mariner is also nearly identical to the Escape and differs mainly by having a few more features and different interior and exterior design details.

2010 Escape Design

The Escape looks more like a Ford Explorer now, but with a plunging chrome grille in some trim levels that would be equally at home on a Volkswagen Jetta or Golf. A raised hood and high beltline may make the SUV look tougher, but they probably don't do much for visibility. The 2010 Ford Escape has the air of a conventional, truck-based SUV, with a more rugged look than many other small, sedan-platform sport-utilities such as the Honda CR-V.  It sits a bit higher than many competitors (8.1 inches of ground clearance), and the high profile is enhanced by its design. The headlights are essentially connected to the grille, and shaped to create a family resemblance with Ford's Edge crossover SUV. Yet the grille itself is tall and flat and stacked right on top of a skid plate-type fascia that flows under the bumper. Escape Hybrids beltline is high, too, and its roof pillars are blacked out. The taillights have a clear band that wraps around the rear corners.

 Ford Escape Interior

The Escape has room for five occupants, plenty of room in the front and a decent rear seating space. It features SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information - helping reduce distractions while accessing important route and safety information. The Escape also offers a convenient AC outlet for powering small devices such as a laptop. The Escape features upholstery 2010 Escape Hybridcloth made from 100-percent recycled material. Ford claims that compared to upholstery made from virgin fiber, production will conserve about 600,000 gallons of water and 7 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1.8 million pounds.  There's not an abundance of side bolstering on the seats, but that makes it easier to slide into the seats, and there's enough to keep occupants solidly in place.  The gauges and switches feature Ford's signature backlighting style, which the company calls Ice Blue. The Escape is available in three trim levels: XLS, XLT and Limited. Standard equipment on the XLS includes 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, cruise control, air-conditioning, stability control and antilock brakes. The XLT adds automatic headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a power driver seat. To the XLT's feature list, the Escape Limited adds leather upholstery, heated front seats and Ford's Sync. Major options, depending on the trim, include dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, a sunroof, an upgraded stereo, a navigation system and an automated parallel-parking system.

Powering the Escape

All but the Limited come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 171 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission (XLS only) or a six-speed automatic are available. Standard on the Limited and optional on the XLT is a 240-hp 3.0-liter V6. The six-speed auto is the lone transmission with the V6. The 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid compact SUV got a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for 2009.  The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is linked to an electric motor. The net result is acceleration similar to that of a V6. As a full hybrid, the Escape Hybrid can provide truly guilt-free operation by running solely on electric power in low-load conditions. The Hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission, also known as a CVT, which optimally matches the power and gearing.

Summary

The 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid is an excellent alternative for  reduced emissions, increased mileage, while still providing all the normal useful SUV features. The 2010 Escape It features new safety and driver-aid technologies, including Integrated Spotter Mirrors, MyKey, Rear View Camera System and Active Park Assist. Park Assist uses an ultrasonic-based sensing system and Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to position the vehicle for parallel parking, calculate the optimal steering angle and quickly steer the vehicle into a parking spot. Visit the official Ford Escape webpage for the latest updates on the model. The Escape Hybrid carries-on for 2010 with minimal changes. The Ford Escape gets a 5-star and top pick crash-testing ratings, including the highest ratings from the government and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Escape, including the hybrid is the only small SUV to offer advanced roll stability control and side curtain air bag technologies with rollover protection.  Overall, new technologies for 2010 will help to take the Escape to the next level of safety and driver satisfaction.
Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com.