Test Drive Ford Escape since 2012 SUV

Updated Ford Escape: So what have you been improved here?

That's what no one really was waiting for, so this is the emergence of restyling Ford Escape. Several times the Fordovians showed the sketches, then the concepts of the future generation escape, and when we were already ready for his appearance, on the magnitude of the Moscow Motor Show ...
... Ricked out the transfused Maverick / Escape of the 2005 sample, it is impossible to say that we did not like this crossover, just the opposite. He was one of those who speak: okay crouted, firmly sewn! Especially the version with the V-shaped six, rejoicing the dynamics and a burden. Spacious salon and trunk, confident handling, powerful suspension. Everyworthy abilities did not require it, but on its field Maverick / Escape of the previous generation fought confidently. True, then he was not particularly cheap. Now the price tag on Escape begins with a mark of 880 thousand rubles, and we assume that this car costs this car.
 
Viscomombi.
For the first time on Escape as a serial model, we learned somewhere on Halloween 2000, when he, together with the Pickup Explorer Sport, was shown in Las Vegas on the SEMA show. The official debut took place in Detroit. Interestingly, if now Ford sees people among buyers of an updated crossover of people who have consisted, but not too wealthy, something like a notorious middle class, then it was a car for young couples, perhaps with the firstborn, but more often with a dog. Classical Kocherga automatic transmission driving, a big trunk, an impressive appearance says that it is still Ford. On the other hand, almost advencessibility, efficiency and price allowed to have it and how the second car in the family instead of the traditional minivan, more than what was available and the front-wheel drive version. Escape came to Russia four years later and under the name Maverick. If anyone does not remember, then the clone Nissan Terrano II was called. Probably assuming that the Europeans have some pleasant memories associated, also called a novelty. By the way, the new model was also the twin Mazda released exactly the same car called Tribute. We got a version that had undergone a small modernization, the main point of which was the refusal of the viscous coupling in the full drive system. In the current generation, the coupling rebelled out of non-existence
 
Urban but off-road
In a disseminated press release, it is said that the crossover acquired a true urban appearance, while becoming a real SUV. Nevertheless, Escape received new front, wings, bumpers and back door. Fully changed the form of all light instruments, and the front style is not very similar to what we see from behind. In some angles close to the Alfas, Escape has a rather surprised look, but they are quickly getting used to it and do not notice. Where the designers have worked on the salon. Fully redesigned the front panel and the central console. It turned out pretty, and ergonomics did not suffer too much. The climate setup algorithm is very pleasant. A good sound is combined with the understandable control of the audio system. The car, by the way, is not noisy. Over the sound of the exhaust obviously worked the British turned out very noble. High speeds respond to the wind whistle in the front racks and noise from the tires. Behind sit surprisingly comfortable. The armchairs are located amphitheater, that is, the rear above the front, place and above the head, and in front of the knees. Escape is still highly holding a margin of a family pet.
 
Without jerks would be
On Escape, the only 2.3-liter 16-valve quarter of the DurateQ series is 145 liters. with. The four-stage automatic box does not spoil it at all, but it works reluctantly. It is expressed primarily in noticeable jerks and jogging when switching both down and up. Transmission is deprived of a fashionable pseudor function. Almost forgotten positions 2 and 1 look at the box selector. By the way, they accurately fulfill their duties: if you choose 2, you will touch with the second, honest, and if 1, then, like nor gas, do not switch above! It would be still turned off Overdrive, and I would say that the old good times returned, when they were all afraid of automata, because no one really knew how to ride them well or almost no one.
Pleases the confident controllability of Escape. No frills as America's policy in relation to communism in the fifties. Where turned, there the car and rides, demonstrating neutral turning. Patiently puts bad roads. Predictably slows down even on rubble and comb. Theoretically, you can make Escape revenge with the tail, but do not want. As for the dynamics and consumption, then on both positions, you can put a crossover from the stretch to the crossover four in the four ways.
POTENTIAL ENERGY
Off-road potential Ford Escape, if in numbers, in order: corners of entry and congress 27 and 30 degrees. Under the subframe of the front suspension twenty centimeters of the road lumen, under the rear differential crankcase, a solid 240 mm. The wheelbase is 2620 mm, combat weights with a pair of saddles and luggage will be approximately 1800 kg. The four-wheel drive is connected on demand when slipping any of the wheels or forcibly with the button on the panel. In short, all this could be used much more efficiently, if Escape is an anti-test system. And it is not even for surcharge. An experienced driver will not be difficult to use where you need, inertia, to choose the path to choose, take advantage of special driving techniques. And what is the one who first bought a all-wheel drive car and has already believed in his ability? It's a shame if it is stuck in a pair of hundreds of meters from the gate of goddachi or will not be able to translate through the bars, which diluted with a snow removal combine. Although there are still enthusiasts who say that, they say, the anti-duct system from the evil, we believe in any modern car, especially with a claim for SUV, such to be.
As for the price, it is not so low. The version of Limited, which we tested, costs 923 thousand, and in it there is no heating of seats, the finish of the spacing and felt from the floor of the trunk sticks out. But the seat leather and the hatch is embarrassed here! And Competitors have Escape mass, you know them all. Nevertheless, for the first month, more than two hundred crossovers are sold. I wonder if there are many of the buyers of those who have already had a personal use of Ford Maverick or Escape? I think grabs


 
Author: Igor Gubar, photos of Alexander Insurance Baranova
 

A source: 4x4 magazine [February / 2009]