The Ford Escape is available in three trims: the base XLS, the workhorse XLT and the luxurious Limited.
The base engine is 2.5L Duratec 4-cylinder that makes 171 horsepower and 171 pounds-feet of torque. Also available is a 3.0L Duratec V6 engine, with 240 horsepower at 6550 rpm and 223 pounds-feet of torque at 4300 rpm. All models, including the Hybrid, offer a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard with the 4-cylinder engine. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard on all V6 engines and available with the 4-cylinder.
The Escape Hybrid powertrain includes a 2.5L Duratec gasoline 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine. It delivers 153 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 136 pounds-feet of torque at 4500 rpm. It is coupled with an electric motor that delivers 94 horsepower at 5000 rpm. The powertrain also incorporates electronic throttle control (ETC), which replaces the manual linkage between accelerator and throttle with a control unit that calculates the optimal throttle position from a number of sensors. It is available with front wheel drive, 4-wheel drive or as a Limited trim.
Standard safety features include front side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, Ford's Safety Canopy (a side curtain air bag technology), SecuriCode keyless entry and a tire pressure monitoring system.
The base XLS comes with a minimal amount of standard comfort features, to include keyless entry and power doors, mirrors and windows. Numerous options and packages are available. Major options on the Escape include larger 17-inch wheels, a 320-watt audiophile sound system, Sirius satellite radio, a DVD-based navigation system, leather-trimmed power seats, a power moonroof, a roof rack, ambient lighting, steering wheel audio controls, auxiliary audio input jack and a 110V AC power outlet (Hybrid models only).
Limited and Hybrid Limited trims come equipped with an abundance of luxury and convenience features. Highlights on the Limited include leather upholstery, upgraded sound system, chrome trim and bezels inside, fog lamps, and bright machined-aluminum wheels. The Hybrid includes dual-zone automatic climate control, eco-friendly fabric, fog lamps and unique alloy wheels.
Smooth Ride And Handling
Fuel Efficiency Across The Lineup
Competitive Pricing
Hybrid Available
An Eco-friendly Vehicle Inside And Out
The 2010 Ford Escape offers many of the new safety features that Ford is offering across its lineup for the model year. Options available include Active Park Assist, with sensors on the front and rear of the vehicle; Electric Power Assist Steering, to help guide into a parking space, and SYNC, which delivers up-to-date traffic, directions and information.
Also new for 2010 are integrated spotter mirrors, which include a secondary convex spotter in the top outer corner, aimed at the driver's blind spot. An available rear view camera system uses an exterior camera embedded in the rear of the vehicle that sends images to a video display in the rearview mirror or the navigation system screen, if equipped, to help enhance visibility directly behind the vehicle when it is in reverse.
MyKey, a programmable vehicle key exclusive to Ford, will be available on all trims. It allows parents to program the vehicle so that when a minor is driving, top speeds are limited to 80 mph, an alarm rings at speeds of 45, 55 or 65 mph, the audio system goes mute until the safety belt is buckled, and volume can be limited to 44 percent of maximum volume. It can also activate a persistent Belt-Minder chime and a traction control system that limits tire spin and cannot be deactivated.
The 2010 Ford Escape is one of the most affordable and economical small SUVs, and its car-like ride and handling, along with good maneuverability, make it a solid choice for urban drivers. The Escape is a Top Safety Pick award winner from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and has received a five-star government rating in all crash tests. Mileage is estimated at 22 mpg city/ 28 mpg highway. MSRP starts at $20,515.
At the same time, the Hybrid model is one of the lowest-priced hybrids and offers a practical way to "go green." The 2010 Escape Hybrid offers a fuel efficiency of 34 mpg city/ 31 mpg highway. MSRP for the base hybrid starts at $29,750.
