Ford Escape test drive since 2008 SUV

Premiere number two

Two recent Ford news with a four -wheel drive differs from each other, like the cruiser Aurora and Moroccan tangerines. The first was lined up even before the prime minister; The second stand, even at the crowded Moscow car dealership, was empty. As a result, the in need of Kineticdesign got the desired Kuga and this could be limited. But Ford has another, no less important client. For him, they introduced in Russia the premiere No. 2 Escape.
 
Choosing between Kuga and competitors, the buyer involuntarily plunges into the world of glamor and gloss. From the manager in the corresponding salon, he learns about sports notes in the character of Honda CR-V or about the German quality of Volkswagen Tiguan collected in Kaluga. He will also listen to how great it is to conquer the city jungle on the first kinetic crossover Ford; How unique it is externally and how convenient it is inside.
He will listen to if only his plans are not included in the off -road. Otherwise, it will not be listened to, since leaving the expensive (and low) Kugins bumper oh how reluctance and no kinetics will help here. Output: either save on Explorer, or look at the new Escape. To offer an ideologically different crossover, more than Kuga, in the same price niche is definitely an interesting proposal from Ford.
But the Moscow car dealership clearly showed: the anti -kinetic premiere attracted customers who love their eyes slightly. Although outwardly Ford Escape is not so hopeless. In the profile, he greatly resembles the predecessor, who is known in the Old World under the name Maverick; From him he got a platform. In front of the slanting headlights, motives are clearly inspired by the Japanese auto industry, the main designer of the project Paul Gibson made a new Escape similar to the Land Cruiser 200 reduced in the proportions. And let such a collective portrait is not able to cause strong emotions, the crossover looks serious, restrained, and harmonious. This, in fact, was required from him.
Finding modern Ford features is strongly impossible to find in the Escape salon. The panel of this shape with a visor completely covering the instrument shield and the middle console went out of fashion in the early 90s, and the four-spoke steering wheel with a thin rim is not too convenient for the hands: Ford has farms much better.
The seats, although they are covered with skin, do not hide their flat nature, the sheathing of doors with small handles in a large car looks frivolously. But through the wide doors of the correct rectangular shape, it is easy and convenient to climb into the car’s interior, and the width of the salon allows the front riders not to push with the elbows. Not in abundance, perhaps the place above the head, but most SUVs have things to do with this worse.
I liked the quality of the finish. The panels of inexpensive plastic are well fitted and pleasant to the touch, and most importantly, they behave silently when moving even along the most broken road.
The narrow armrest of the door with a small handle (so that's why it is so frivolous!) It is at a decent distance from the left knee of the driver, and the middle console, rounded to the bottom, leaves enough space for the right knee, so you can sit quite comfortable. The steering wheel, however, is regulated only in height.
Escape is supplied to Russia in two trim levels that differ only in the interior decoration and a package of comfortable options. Tandem Box-motor unchanging is a 2.3-liter gasoline four with a capacity of 145 liters. With. Duratec series and four -band automatic machine. In America, other units are also offered with a volume of 2.5 and 3.0 liters, but such cars will not officially get into our country.
The engine installed on our Escape is quite economical and fits into the strict standards of EURO-4; In addition, he is loyal to the owner’s wallet in terms of taxes. But you will not wait for special agility from him. A car with a lazy one starts, warming up somewhere after 4,000 revolutions. There is little noise from it, and to conquer nearby off -road 200 nm traction for a car with a slightly enough mass for a one and a half tons is quite enough.
The steering wheel with a hydraulic wrap is heavy, although in certain traffic modes, for example, on the highway it even began to like it. In addition, the high car surprisingly steer in the turns: in many ways, Escape owes this suspension independent in a circle.
It is worth considering that the new Escape has lost the ability to strictly block the differential, in return, receiving an electricomoft and a full -wheel drive system of Intelligent 4WD System. True, it allows you to intervene in the work of the transmission: by pressing the 4x4 key on the console, you can set a constant all -wheel drive without variable distribution of the moment between the axes, but for harsh off -road, such a system is unlikely to fit.
However, not for such conditions a car was created. Short overhangs and a good road clearance in 201 mm make it unwivic in those sections of the road where most crossovers frankly graze. Add here a long -flowing and fairly energy -intensive pendant, equally confidently behaving both on the asphalt and on bumps, and the advantages of the new crossover will become obvious.
Ford Escape is hardly capable of giving vivid impressions, but will definitely remember a good performance that has gotten used to a competitive price. In addition, advanced possibilities outside the asphalt and brutal appearance will allow those who still have not appreciated the notorious Kinetic, nevertheless, make a choice in favor of a blue oval. To be number two in this case is not at all a shame.
 
The car is provided for the test by Alarm Motors Ozerki by the official Ford dealer.
Text: Alexander Mikhailov
Photo: Roman Ostanin

 
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [October 2008]