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2003 Ford Escape Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
MSRP Range: $18,500 to $27,500
Invoice Range: $17,000 to $25,000
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MSRP As Tested: $27,085
Versions: Limited, XLS, XLT,
Vehicle Category: Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive
Engine As Tested: 2.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, Inline 4-cylinder, 127-horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 135 lb-ft torque at 4,500 rpm. Optional 3.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, V-6 Engine, 201-horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 196 lb. ft. torque at 4,700 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: 5-Speed Manual. Optional 4-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 5-Speed Manual - 22/25, 4-Speed Automatic - 18/23
Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger, front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes
Competition: Chevrolet Blazer, Chevrolet Tracker, Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Isuzu Rodeo, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Freelander, Mazda Tribute, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7, Suzuki Vitara, Toyota RAV4
Why mess with a winning formula?
Ford clearly follows this mantra as its wildly successful Escape mini-SUV enters its third year. It's got the same nimble handling, rugged looks and sporty personality that made it popular with buyers starting in 2001, so it's no wonder that Ford doesn't want to screw things up by making big changes.
Instead, the biggest news for the Escape in 2003 is its packaging and trim, including a Limited version that brings levels of comfort and refinement rarely seen in SUVs of its class. It has heated leather seats, standard side airbags, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated side mirrors, an in-dash 6-disc CD changer, and sensors that warn the driver of anything in its path when in reverse.
