Description

Driving the Used 2013 Ford Escape The new Ford Escape is the sporty compact car of compact SUVs a title it shares with the new Mazda CX-5. Fords recent cars have impressed with European-like driving dynamics and feel, and the new Escape continues the trend. When outfitted with the 240-horsepower engine, theres not a competitor that could keep up. Fortunately, the characteristics that contribute to the high fun-factor also help make the Escape a pleasure to drive to the store and the office. The 1.6- and 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines are terrific, both delivering smooth, ready power around town, effortless cruising on the highway and especially the 2.0 engine plenty of passing power. It isnt the softest-riding entry in the segment, but most will find it perfectly comfortable. The 2013 Ford Escape is arguably the best-driving compact SUV out there, but the styling, technology and fuel economy are what really set it apart. Favorite Features HANDS-FREE LIFTGATE When your hands are full of shopping bags, furniture or man things, you can just wave your foot under the rear bumper and the liftgate opens automatically. Its Escape sign language for open sesame. MYKEY For teen drivers who always wanted a Big Brother, MyKey lets parents designate a key that will limit top speed, limit audio volume or even disable the audio system altogether until the seatbelts are buckled. Used 2013 Ford Escape Interior The inside of the 2013 Ford Escape boasts such an impressive collection of materials, design and available features that it can feel a class above. Dont try to pass it off as a mid-size SUV, though, because the Escapes interior is among the categorys smaller cabins. Used 2013 Ford Escape Exterior The compact SUV segment is definitely developing a greater sense of style, and the 2013 Ford Escape furthers the trend. Exterior highlights that distinguish upper-tier Escape models include HID headlamps, fog lights, body-color mirrors and trim, dual chrome exhaust tips and big 19-inch wheels (which will eventually need to be re-wrapped in expensive 19-inch tires). Used 2013 Ford Escape Standard Features At its base price of $23,295, the 2013 Ford Escape S features a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission, 6-speaker AM-FM-CD-Aux sound system, air conditioning, steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, the parent-friendly MyKey system, and a full complement of airbags and electronic safety features. Base model compromises include covered steel wheels and black plastic exterior trim elements. Used 2013 Ford Escape Options A fully loaded 2013 Ford Escape Titanium can reach all the way past $37,000, but with enough cool features to embarrass many luxury cars. In addition to a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 4-wheel drive, leather seats and a panoramic moonroof, a top-tier Escape offers blind-spot warning, automatic parallel parking, an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Sync with MyFord Touch, and a liftgate that opens with a wave of your foot. You could get the new Acura RDX for the same money, but you wouldnt have as many cool features to play with. Used 2013 Ford Escape Engine The 2013 Ford Escape is the only compact SUV with a choice of three engines. It would be easier to recommend the excellent 240-horsepower 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine if the 178-horsepower 1.6-liter version werent more affordable, more efficient, just as smooth, and still plenty powerful for most. The base 2.5-liter engine is probably just fine we havent driven the latest iteration but wed buy a different compact SUV before buying the base Escape S with which that engine is paired. All three engines are paired with a responsive 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control, driving either the front wheels (FWD) or all four (4WD). If you want 4WD youll have to choose one of the EcoBoost engines. And if you want the Escapes full towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, youre into the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine (and the towing package eliminates the hands-free liftgate option). 2.5-liter 4-cylinder 168 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm 170 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm EPA estimated city-highway mpg: 22-31 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder 178 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm 184 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm EPA estimated city-highway mpg: 23-33 (FWD), 22-30 (AWD) 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder 240 @ 5,500 rpm 270 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm EPA estimated city-highway mpg: 22-30 (FWD), 21-28 (AWD)