The Moon and Tune package adds a sunroof and the seven-speaker stereo upgrade. Upgrading to the Limited Luxury package adds dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. To the XLT's feature list the Escape Limited adds different 16-inch wheels, chrome exterior highlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, Sync and a six-speaker stereo. A seven-speaker stereo upgrade is also available. The Sport Appearance package adds 17-inch wheels and a variety of upgraded interior and exterior trim pieces. The Sun & Sync package adds Sync and a sunroof. The Leather package adds leather upholstery, heated front seats and ambient lighting. The XLT adds automatic headlights, foglamps, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a six-way power driver seat, steering-wheel audio controls and satellite radio. The Sync electronics interface (includes iPod interface and Bluetooth) and steering-wheel audio controls are optional. Standard equipment on the XLS includes 16-inch alloy wheels, an outside mirror with an integrated blind-spot viewing surface, keyless entry, MyKey parental controls, full power accessories, cruise control, air-conditioning and a four-speaker stereo with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack. The Escape didn't prove impressive in our handling tests either, as it received a "Poor" rating from our test-driver as it lumbered through the slalom at only 59 mph and pulled a rather low 0.69g on the skid pad. In testing, we found a V6-equipped model delivered adequate power, but nothing more, including 0-60-mph acceleration in a middling 8.1 seconds. The front-wheel-drive six-cylinder Escape returns an estimated 18/26/21 mpg, while all-wheel drive gets 17/24/20 mpg. All-wheel drive drops that to 19/25/21 mpg. The Escape's fuel economy with the four-cylinder, six-speed auto and front-wheel drive is 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. Properly equipped, the Escape V6 can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The V6 comes only with the automatic transmission. The 2.5 can be fitted with either a five-speed manual transmission (XLS only) or a six-speed automatic. A 171-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is standard, with a 240-hp 3.0-liter V6 optional on all but the XLS. But unlike a decade ago, there are a number of top compact crossover SUVs such as the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, 2011 Honda CR-V, 2011 Kia Sportage, 2011 Subaru Forester and 2011 Toyota RAV4 that best the Ford in terms of overall refinement and functionality.Īll trim levels of the Ford Escape can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. Once it's loaded with options, a 2011 Ford Escape will likely please those who value having the latest technology. Where nearly all of its rivals have four-wheel disc brakes, the Escape inexplicably uses drum brakes in the rear that simply don't have the power to bring it to a stop quickly. But it's the Escape's brakes that have it trailing the competition. And folding that backseat is a multistep hassle compared to the simple flip-down design of other crossovers. Despite all the gee-whiz features, the 2011 Ford Escape still lacks a few key items offered in most of its competitors, such as a telescoping steering wheel and a reclining/sliding backseat. It works like a charm and is actually better than the system offered in the high-end Lexus LS 460 luxury sedan. And those who dread parallel-parking might want to consider the Auto Park option, a new Ford technology that enables the Escape to identify a likely parking spot and then navigate into the slot with the steering while you just tend to the gas and brake. New for the 2011 model year is MyKey, which allows parents of teenage drivers to set electronic limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume. Should you opt for the navigation system, Sync also provides real-time information for traffic, weather, sport scores, movie times and probably your horoscope if you ask nicely enough. Among the latter are Ford's superb Sync system that allows voice control over your cell phone, iPod/MP3 player and the available navigation system. The Escape strikes most folks as attractive inside and out, offering a number of unique and enticing technology features. Competition abounds, and despite some cutting-edge features, the Escape has aged noticeably in a few respects. Fast-forward a decade and the 2011 Ford Escape doesn't have it nearly as easy. It was also a trend-setter, because there weren't many other choices around for a small crossover or SUV. Back when it debuted in 2000, the Ford Escape was a smash hit with its just-right size, pleasant driving dynamics and available V6.
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