Ford Escape test drive since 2008 SUV

Golden mean

Ford Escape. Price: from 845500 rub. On sale: since the summer of 2008
Everything flows and everything changes. The Ford model range left Maverick, which was replaced by a new Escape model. This is a compact SUV, suitable for both the city and for fishing sorties. Let's check the debutant at the Dmitrov Auto Poligon
Test pilot
Maxim Egorov, 23 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience of 5 years, personal car - Mitsubishi Lancer
The compact Maverick, which was replaced by Ford Escape, until recently was one of the most popular brand SUVs. True, mainly in the USA, where he really has not crawled out of tops of sales for a long time. In Russia, as, indeed, in Europe as a whole, things were not so rosy. But at the same time, the car was known, and the name of the model was associated not only with the hero of the cult film about the aces of the Top Gun flight school.
But time flies, and with it, as usual, gradually goes out of interest in the car. The simplest and, accordingly, a common means of increasing interest in the car is restyling. But sometimes cardinal metamorphoses occur. The positioning of the model remains the same, but everything else changes, up to the name. This is what happened to Maverick. The fall in demand for him forced the company to make another, so to speak, car. Indeed, in fact, the SUV was simply updated and renamed.
So, Ford Escape family car with all the ensuing. The main buyers of the model are people at a conscious age of 35-45 years, for which the abandonment of the car is not priority. Therefore, the design of the SUV is maximally restrained and simple. The exterior does not shine with bright details. The strict forms of the classic body wagon is a slightly tilted front stand and vertical backwards are verified for years. Unless a stylish plastic body kit in a circle is slightly knocked out of the general canvas, and he invisibly gleams a wide grate of the radiator, stretching from the left to the right headlight. Escape is halogen, but it, alas, does not shine in the best way.
In the cabin, everything is as simple as possible, but quite worthy: inexpensive, practical plastic, gray velor. What might not like is a branded blue backlight. In the dark, she greatly blurs her eyes, which makes it difficult to read information. Three regulators on the central console are responsible for climate control in the cabin. But it is not so easy to deal with them due to a non-standard inclusion algorithm. The zero position, the OFF mode, is in the middle, and not on the side, as is often the case. You can get used to everything, but it is not possible to recognize this decision convenient in any way.
An important factor for a family car is space in the cabin. At first glance, there are not many places here. This impression is created due to the high sex: the road clearance is 21 cm. But at the same time there is still plenty of space in the cabin. An extensive range of adjustments and a high ceiling will allow you to sit behind the wheel of even a person of basketball. The back of the back will not be closely, inconvenience can only be delivered by a almost vertical sofa back. As for the trunk, with a car length of 4.5 m, a sufficient volume is allocated for baggage. To load overalls, you have to raise a light fifth door, and a trifle can be thrown through a separate rear window.
Last but not least, a family car is chosen for security and behavior on the dear. The first parameter is all right. In the car, belt pretense, front and lateral airbags, ESP stabilization system are installed. But dynamics and handling, frankly, are at an average level: no bright victories, as, indeed, defeats. It will not work to drive on Escape, everything is configured for a measured ride.
The gasoline engine with a volume of 2.3 liters produces 145 liters. with. at 6000 min-1. A lot, but acceleration to 100 km/h takes 12.1 s. One of the reasons for such sluggishness is an outdated four -speed automatic. He does not quickly adapt to the driving style. To speed up this process, you can go into mode without the fourth transmission, but this operation does not particularly affect the dynamics of overclocking. The maximum speed of 161 km/h is reached in third gear. When switching to the fourth turnover, it is reduced to 4000 min-1, and the speed gradually decreases to 155 km/h. This mode can be called economical, track.
You can’t call the steering informative. The steering wheel is light, but it is saved by short -flowing: from the stop to the stop only 2.9 turnover. With harsh, alternating loads, the performance of the hydraulic wrap falls, due to which the steering wheel begins to get heavier, but does not bite.
As for maneuverability, Ford Escape is a multi -link suspension in front and back. In front of McPherson with reptile stability stabilizers, from behind with double transverse and longitudinal levers. As a result, the suspension turned out to be as comfortable and elastic as possible. She swallows any irregularities, not even boring even a noise. A large clearance and a high center of gravity became the cause of modest indicators on slalom and rearrangements. After loading the car to complete mass, these numbers decreased by another 2-3 km/h. Thus, Escape once again proved that it is intended for measured and comfortable driving, but not for racing.
The car shows stably good results in the braking test. Ford Escape was a worthy continuation of Maverick. It is simple, reliable and comfortable.

The whole family
Ford Escape does not claim leadership among its competitors in the classroom. This product is aimed exclusively to a certain segment of customers. The age of the target audience is 35-45 years. This is a family that loves outdoor activities, as well as suburban trips, for example, to the cottage, to the river, and walks on bicycles. By purchasing Ford Escape, a person makes a rational choice by analyzing the car market of this class. Exceptional practicality. This car provides owners with a spacious interior with a good transformation. The engine, although not new, but moderately economical. The appearance is neutral, calm. These are one of the main requirements for a family car. Comfort and practicality are above all. Therefore, Ford Escape already in the basic configuration offers a very wide range of options. There are few sets, only two, differing only in the presence of a hatch, rear parking sensor and climate control instead of an ordinary air conditioner.

We do not love
Escape clearance allows traveling off -road, but some pendant levers are located very low. Important
The ergonomics of the salon does not shine with design, everything is classically, but convenient and practical. This applies to both governing bodies and various boxes. Comfortable

Expert
Eduard Shivorshinov, 36 years old, test engineer, driving experience of 14 years, travels to the MB G300 TD and V220 CDI
The car does not shine with novelty. All units are motor, transmission, all -wheel drive have long been known. You can call them outdated, hence and not so high dynamic indicators. But as a family car for people, this model is perfect.

Our assessment
Ford Escape is aimed at a certain age group. These are family people, 35-45 years old, those who need a comfortable, spacious, moderately passable car without sports ambitions. Ford Escape is a great continuation of Maverick.

Body
+ Classic design
- Unknown external mirrors
 
Driving comfort
+ spacious salon and trunk
- High floor
 
Power unit
+ acceptable fuel consumption
- Low power

Cherry properties
+ comfortable, elastic suspension
- Krains
 
Security
+ airbags, active and passive safety systems

Environmental friendliness
+ compliance with toxicity standards
Author: Maxim Egorov
Photo: Sergey Krestov
 
 

 

A source: Magazine 5 wheel [February 2009]