2008 Ford Escape Drive

[Ron From Regina]

I rented a 2008 Ford Escape on Monday, with 10kms on the clock. It was a 4wd V6 with leather.? I drove the it around Calgary on freeway and downtown streets, and finally, a 850km stretch back to Regina.

For the most part, the interior layout was simple, but effective. The lone exception was the ac / radio controls. At first glance, they are not at all easy to use, nor are the functions of the buttons apparent. It took a little bit of fiddling around before I had them figured out. The leather was firm, but comfortable. The model we rented did not have a lumbar support, and I missed that during the 8 hour drive back home. The cockpit was roomy though, and feels bigger than it actually is.

Outward visibility was very good. I had no trouble manuvering in downtown rushour traffic. My only complaint, although minor, was the head rest from the rear middle seat somewhat blocked the rear view mirror.

Fuel economy, was excellent, esp for the V6. On the highway run, we avaraged around 9.5 km/100 litres. Compared to my wifes Jeep liberty, that gets around 12 L/100 kms, this was excellent for a simular sized SUV.

Finally for the reason, I would never consider buying this car. Simply put, the V6 is awful. When I pulled out of the Calgary airport with it, and merged onto the freeway, I was sure it must have had a 4 cyl in it. Even under full power, I was not able to hit the speed limit by the end of the on ramp. When I finally pulled into the hotel, I noticed the V6 decal on the side of it. I was so sure that the decal was a mistake, I opened the hood to verify, and sure enough, there was a V6 in there. The lack of torque simply blew me away. Maybe it is because I am used to driving my wife's Jeep which has no shortage in that dept, but I would go so far as to say, the lack of power made it difficult to drive. The highway drive home is all on divided 4 lane highway, so luckly I didn't have to worry about passing. If so, passes would have to be very carefully timed. Why ford doesn't put in a bigger engine, even the 230hp v6 used in the fusion, blows my mind.

In conclusion, except for the engine, the Escape is a decent car. I would rate nothing in it as being excellet, but it was functional, and does the job it was designed to well. I would consider buying one, if they were to put in an upgraded V6.

[Secret Chimp]

I'm from Brooklyn, you're from Regina!

[Laconian]

My mom owns an Escape, and I've driven it quite a bit. I've always been annoyed at the attempts to disguise the V6's lack of torque with abrupt throttle tip-in.

[TheIntrepid]

I've driven an '05 Escape XLT 4WD I-4. It was HORRIBLY slow as well. IIRC it was one of C&D's Ten Worst performers.

[ro51092]

I've driven an '05 Escape XLT 4WD I-4. It was HORRIBLY slow as well. IIRC it was one of C&D's Ten Worst performers.

You called the E90 slow too. Oh boy, you're in for a treat when you get your hybrid.

[TheIntrepid]

You called the E90 slow too. Oh boy, you're in for a treat when you get your hybrid.

I said the E90 FELT slow. In my defense, I am driving a 323!!! It's the slowest BMW available this side of the Atlantic.

[ro51092]

I said the E90 FELT slow. In my defense, I am driving a 323!!! It's the slowest BMW available this side of the Atlantic.

Ever heard of an X3 3.0i? It's slower.

BTW, the 323 has the same engine as the 325/328 has/had. It's actually smaller (The 325/8 has the N52B30, the 323 has the N52B25), and only has 15 less hp. The 325/8 does 0-60 in about 6.1 seconds. The 323 should only be a little slower.

[ifcar]

Ever heard of an X3 3.0i? It's slower.

Not after the engine upgrades.

The now-defunct X3 2.5i was an SUV that wasn't in any hurry, though.

[TheIntrepid]

Ever heard of an X3 3.0i? It's slower.

BTW, the 323 has the same engine as the 325/328 has/had. It's actually smaller (The 325/8 has the N52B30, the 323 has the N52B25), and only has 15 less hp. The 325/8 does 0-60 in about 6.1 seconds. The 323 should only be a little slower.

The 323 is 7.4, according to BMW.ca

[Tave]

You don't know what slow is.

[ro51092]

The 323 is 7.4, according to BMW.ca

BMW's very conservative, come on, you know better. However, I forgot you have the auto, so your time may be ~6.8 seconds. Hardly slow, especially coming from an Intrepid.

[ifcar]

BMW's very conservative, come on, you know better. However, I forgot you have the auto, so your time may be ~6.8 seconds. Hardly slow, especially coming from an Intrepid.

Fortunately, the comparison can be accurately made by using BMW's own numbers for both. They list the automatic 328i at 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h, and the auto 323i at 8.1.

[ro51092]

Fortunately, the comparison can be accurately made by using BMW's own numbers for both. They list the automatic 328i at 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h, and the auto 323i at 8.1.

BMW USA says the 328i auto does it in 6.9

[TheIntrepid]

BMW's very conservative, come on, you know better. However, I forgot you have the auto, so your time may be ~6.8 seconds. Hardly slow, especially coming from an Intrepid.

Due to the roar of noise upon acceleration, the Intrepid feels much faster than it actually is.

[ifcar]

BMW USA says the 328i auto does it in 6.9

BMW USA doesn't list a 323i time though, so the two Canada numbers need to be compared. I don't know why there's a difference though. The difference between 60 mph and 100 km/h might account for it.

[ro51092]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v30RaXAQxzY

I timed it using a stopwatch (thank you, pharmaceutical companies). 9.3 seconds.

[TheIntrepid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v30RaXAQxzY

I timed it using a stopwatch (thank you, pharmaceutical companies). 9.3 seconds.

Is that a link to my video? I took that on snow tires. I've got my summers on now... I'll take one tomorrow.

[TheIntrepid]

Either way, how does what I drive daily affect my perception of what is slow and what isn't? I've driven plenty of fast cars.

Anyway man, I thought I requested you to stop beating on my car. I know you don't like it, but it's mine and I do.

[Tave]

how does what I drive daily affect my perception of what is slow and what isn't?

Is that a rhetorical question?

[ro51092]

Either way, how does what I drive daily affect my perception of what is slow and what isn't? I've driven plenty of fast cars.

Anyway man, I thought I requested you to stop beating on my car. I know you don't like it, but it's mine and I do.

How is that beating on your car? Anyway, sorry. 

[TheIntrepid]

How is that beating on your car? Anyway, sorry. 

I didn't mean to sound like a crybaby, but my point is, there are plenty of people on this forum with crappier cars than mine. Why is it always mine you're pointing out as slow? It's nowhere near the slowest.

[ifcar]

I didn't mean to sound like a crybaby, but my point is, there are plenty of people on this forum with crappier cars than mine. Why is it always mine you're pointing out as slow? It's nowhere near the slowest.

Weren't you just complaining that a much quicker car was too slow?

[TheIntrepid]

Weren't you just complaining that a much quicker car was too slow?

The Escape?! The I-4 is CERTAINLY not quicker. I said that the 323 FELT slower.

[ifcar]

The 323i isn't slower than the Intrepid, no matter how quiet it is.

[TheIntrepid]

The 323i isn't slower than the Intrepid, no matter how quiet it is.

I never said it was!!! I said it FELT slower.

[nickdrinkwater]

Ever heard of an X3 3.0i? It's slower.

Ever heard of an X3 2.0i? 

[JWC]

For a minute there, I thought this thread was about the Escape.  Oh yeah, it is.

Anyway, I despise the way the radio display is set up on the new Escape. The electric steering...I guess that takes some getting use to.  When I first drove an '08, the steering felt "funny".  It wasn't until I looked up the specs on it that I realized it was electric.  It has a artificial feel to it.  Hard to describe.

Laconian stated:
"My mom owns an Escape, and I've driven it quite a bit. I've always been annoyed at the attempts to disguise the V6's lack of torque with abrupt throttle tip-in."

I don't believe Ford was trying to disguise anything.  The throttle response has always been touchy.  I consider it poor engineering.   Probably why there was a recall on throttle cables for sticking on early models.  The design was less than ideal.  Seems better on the '08.


The dealership I work at has never even ordered an 4cyl, except for the hybrid.  The owner didn't like it, so he wouldn't buy any.

[ifcar]

I prefer the 4-cylinder. It's weak, but the V6 isn't much better, and it's quite a bit more money and less fuel economy.

[ro51092]

Ever heard of an X3 2.0i? 

Too bad that's not sold here.

[FoMoJo]

In conclusion, except for the engine, the Escape is a decent car. I would rate nothing in it as being excellet, but it was functional, and does the job it was designed to well. I would consider buying one, if they were to put in an upgraded V6.

The Escape would benefit from the VVT version of the Duratec 30...used by Jaguar, Mazda and, likely, the Fusion.? As well, it's not an ideal 'truck' engine due to the over-square design.? Allowed to rev, per VVT, it builds power nicely.? Bolt on a couple of high-volume turbos, per Noble M15, and you can crank out about 455hp .