Engine comparison 4 or 6
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Engine comparison 4 or 6
I just started looking for a SUV and the Escape looks interesting. I'm looking for mileage so how does the 4 and 6 look? We have a lot of deep snow and ice in our area so how do they hold up? Also which transmission would fit my needs? Thanks for any help, PK.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,511
Likes: 8
From: hinckley ohio
I have a V6 awd its a tank inthe winter.Gets about 20 mpg.My Mom has a 05 V6 gets in the mid 20's fwd.I would think the 4 cyl. is not as common as the V6 in the older ones.Trans wise there are manual trans or automatics in these behind the 4 cylinders.V6 are autos only.09 Was the first your four the 6fmid trans that is a 6 speed auto.older ones have the cd4e which is a 4 speed auto.My brother has a 2010 awd with a 4 cyl auto and gets 26 mpg.
New User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I just bought a 2011 Limited V6 AWD. I wanted something with some meat to it, but would still be comfortable going down to Florida and back.
Only a week old and getting a little over 20 avg. mpg in the city, which is pretty much as advertised.
Haven't had it on the interstate yet to see how it does.
I was sold on the V6, but I test drove an I4 just to get a feel for it. The difference was night and day.
We got slammed up here in Norther Indiana this Winter. All I could see was some flavor of SUV on the road. Finally fed up and got with the program.
Glad I did. I love this thing.
Only a week old and getting a little over 20 avg. mpg in the city, which is pretty much as advertised.
Haven't had it on the interstate yet to see how it does.
I was sold on the V6, but I test drove an I4 just to get a feel for it. The difference was night and day.
We got slammed up here in Norther Indiana this Winter. All I could see was some flavor of SUV on the road. Finally fed up and got with the program.
Glad I did. I love this thing.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
If you are looking used get a 2009 or 2010 as they have more horsepower combined with the 6-speed autos and are far better performers than the 4-speeds, plus they aid mileage. If you don't tow and typically carry one or two adults the 4-cylinder will do the job. I own a V6 4wd and have rented the 4-cylinder equivalent and the 4 cyl will get 3 mpg more on the interstate. Either one with 4wd will get you anywhere you want to go in the snow. Figure on 24 mpg with the 6 on the interstate vs 27-28 with the 4 cyl at 70-75 mph. Slow down to 60-65 and you will be shocked at how economical they are - 30 mpg possible with a V6 4wd at 55-60 mph (my mom has a V6 4wd and often hits 30 mpg but she drives 55 -60).
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
I love my 4 cylinder Escapes. They are both hybrids so the performance is nearly the same as the V6 but the fuel efficiency beats any other engine/tranny combo. Lifetime for both of them is just under 34 mpg and that is for every mile driven, not select tanks.
I had an '04 with the V6 and loved that too but the mileage was brutal. 17-19 mpg on my normal commute.
Great cars though regardless of the powerplant.
I had an '04 with the V6 and loved that too but the mileage was brutal. 17-19 mpg on my normal commute.
Great cars though regardless of the powerplant.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 2
From: Warren, MI
I love my 4 cylinder Escapes. They are both hybrids so the performance is nearly the same as the V6 but the fuel efficiency beats any other engine/tranny combo. Lifetime for both of them is just under 34 mpg and that is for every mile driven, not select tanks.
I had an '04 with the V6 and loved that too but the mileage was brutal. 17-19 mpg on my normal commute.
Great cars though regardless of the powerplant.
I had an '04 with the V6 and loved that too but the mileage was brutal. 17-19 mpg on my normal commute.
Great cars though regardless of the powerplant.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
Not at all. I owned a 2004 V6 and switched right to the '05 hybrid and can tell you with first hand experience that acceleration from a dead stop, passing, highway driving, etc. that the hybrid is just as capable. I don't tow with my Escapes so that doesn't effect me but the hybrids do have a substantially lower tow rating than their V6 counterparts. But I understand they can very easily tow much more than they are rated for.
I will qualify my statement with....."in my experience". Better?
I will qualify my statement with....."in my experience". Better?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 2
From: Warren, MI
Not at all. I owned a 2004 V6 and switched right to the '05 hybrid and can tell you with first hand experience that acceleration from a dead stop, passing, highway driving, etc. that the hybrid is just as capable. I don't tow with my Escapes so that doesn't effect me but the hybrids do have a substantially lower tow rating than their V6 counterparts. But I understand they can very easily tow much more than they are rated for.
I will qualify my statement with....."in my experience". Better?
I will qualify my statement with....."in my experience". Better?
My neighbor has a leased '10MM I4 which replaced a leased '08MM V6. He said that once you get it rolling it ain't bad but noticed the lack of guts from a dead stop.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
My wife has a 2005 Limited AWD with the V6. Her MPG averages around 19-20 in a mix of suburban/highway driving. IMHO the V6 for 2005 is rather anemic in this configuration, so I can't imagine even less power with a 4 banger.
As for how well they hold up, she has just under 60K on it and other than minor maintenance, the car has been extremely reliable. We had only one repair during warranty for an emissions fault which was corrected on the first visit. I have replaced the front brakes and in a few weeks, I will be replacing the rear brakes as well as the rear shocks which are leaking. I am most impressed with how well it does in all kinds of snow and ice. Ford got the AWD right on this one.
As for how well they hold up, she has just under 60K on it and other than minor maintenance, the car has been extremely reliable. We had only one repair during warranty for an emissions fault which was corrected on the first visit. I have replaced the front brakes and in a few weeks, I will be replacing the rear brakes as well as the rear shocks which are leaking. I am most impressed with how well it does in all kinds of snow and ice. Ford got the AWD right on this one.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
There have been engine improvements through the years where a new I4 "might" feel as peppy as the previous year's V6 but I doubt if one could say that a I4=V6 in the same MY.
My neighbor has a leased '10MM I4 which replaced a leased '08MM V6. He said that once you get it rolling it ain't bad but noticed the lack of guts from a dead stop.
My neighbor has a leased '10MM I4 which replaced a leased '08MM V6. He said that once you get it rolling it ain't bad but noticed the lack of guts from a dead stop.
Both of my Escapes have right around 60k miles on them and the only thing either of them have had done other than maintenance that I do myself is a power lock motor and an a/c condensor.....both done under warranty.
Moderator
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 158,284
Likes: 11,952
From: Greenfield, MA
Currently 4 cyl sales are outpacing the sale of 6 cyl Escapes...due mostly to the rising price of gas. Most folks find the 4 cyl to be adequate. The 6 cyls are obviously more fun to drive and the choice of those who tow.
Hybrids are virtually non-existant in the Northeast...there are currently 16 4X4 in New England and a grand total of ZERO FWDs on dealer lots.
I believe the lack of FWD Hybrids is due to the fact that all new taxis in NYC must be hybrids...there are a lot of yellow ones at dealers in the metropolitan area.
Hybrids are virtually non-existant in the Northeast...there are currently 16 4X4 in New England and a grand total of ZERO FWDs on dealer lots.
I believe the lack of FWD Hybrids is due to the fact that all new taxis in NYC must be hybrids...there are a lot of yellow ones at dealers in the metropolitan area.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 2
From: Warren, MI
I am comparing the 4 cylinder HYBRID with the V6. The 50 or so horsepower provided by the electric motors makes a huge difference, especially from a dead stop since electric motors have 100% torque at 0 RPM. And having the electric motors available for passing acceleration is pretty nice as well.
Both of my Escapes have right around 60k miles on them and the only thing either of them have had done other than maintenance that I do myself is a power lock motor and an a/c condensor.....both done under warranty.
Both of my Escapes have right around 60k miles on them and the only thing either of them have had done other than maintenance that I do myself is a power lock motor and an a/c condensor.....both done under warranty.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
Look, I don't make this stuff up and if you read what I posted originally I said "nearly the same". I am not in the habit of racing any of my vehicles but having owned them for some time I have a pretty good feel for how they perform. I don't consider Wiki to be a reliable source but here is a quote taken from there.
Those specs are for the early models ('05-'07) and from what limited research I did on the newer ones, the V6 is now 240HP and the hybrids have been upped as well. One site claimed the V6 0-60 was in the mid 8's and the hybrid was low 9's. Not bad either way.
What there is no comparison for though is the fuel efficiency of the V6 or the I4 versus the hybrid.....
The Escape Hybrid's 133 horsepower (99 kW) gasoline I4 engine and electric motor combine to give 155 hp (116 kW), which gives the Hybrid Escape has nearly the same acceleration performance as the conventional 200 hp (150 kW) V6 Escape due to the electric motor's torque being available from zero rpm.
What there is no comparison for though is the fuel efficiency of the V6 or the I4 versus the hybrid.....