2004 Ford Escape

A small, but brute, successful sport-ute

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Nothing is a sure bet today, especially in the automotive world. But if there ever were an odds-on favorite to turn up in the success column, it's the Ford Escape. This handsome hauler had all the hallmarks of a winner when it rolled onto the sub-compact SUV scene for 2001. With its impressive combination of style, flexibility, and convenience, the Escape is a formidable foe in the rugged, yet small, SUV realm.

New 2004 options are an XLT Appearance Package with Dark Shadow Grey cladding, and a monochromatic exterior/luxurious interior Limited model. A handful of comfort, convenience and trim upgrades for 2004 should serve to further entrench Escape as a solid presence for some time to come. One new offering is an XLT Appearance Package, which adds Dark Shadow Grey cladding/fascias, black step-bars and machined-aluminum wheels. Also, a now available Limited Luxury Comfort Package features a Reverse Sensing system and a luxurious interior that boasts leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats, heated side-view mirrors, and a MACH audio system.

Based on a stiff, strong unibody structure shared with its kin-beneath-the-skin Mazda Tribute, the Escape comes in front-wheel drive (or, more accurately, part-time all-wheel drive) or 4WD configurations. While Ford offers a variety of special packages plus multiple freestanding options for this 4-door sport-utility, even the most affordable version, which starts at $19,300 (including destination/delivery fees of $590), offers a generous roster of standards headed by air conditioning, power windows/mirrors, AM/FM/single CD sound system, rear window washer/wiper/defogger, a tilt steering column and the SecuriLock anti-theft immobilizer system.

Powering the base front-drive XLS is Ford's 2.0-liter/127-horsepower DOHC Zetec I-4 backed by a 5-speed manual transmission. All other trim series of the Escape continue to get the 3.0-liter Duratec V-6 paired with a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. Churning out 201 horses and 196 lb.-ft. oftorque, the V-6 endows even the 4,520-pound GVWR XLT 4x4 Premium that we sampled in this encounter with a welcome degree of off-the-line snap and plenty of enthusiasm on demand for freeway passing maneuvers.

Each seating spot affords regulation-size adults the kind of head- and legroom they deserve. In addition to the primo drivetrain, XLT trappings also bring standard anti-lock brakes, 60/40 split on the folding rear seat, speed control, floor mats, privacy glass, power driver's seat and a 6-disc in-dash CD player. Interior fabrics and materials such as those used for the floormats have "improved quality and feel," and functional upgrades include illumination added to front-door window and lock switches.