I have had a 2005 with the 3.0L and been very happy with it(other than changing the alternator, THAT was a nightmare). I may upgrade to a 2010-ish Escape, and I notice that most of them have the 2.5L. Should I look for the 3.0L, or is the 2.5L adequate for power, reliability etc.? PS I need 4WD, period..All input appreciated!

 

We got our 3.0 back about Nov 2010. The alternative was the 2.3, I think. I did not like the drone and slow acceleration, so we shopped more for the 6.

With 4WD, you have more metal to haul around. The 2.5 will do it, better than the 2.3, but I'd want either the V6, or an eco-boost. For around town driving, the 4 will suffice, but I knew we'd be doing mountains along with flatland, and had regretted in the past buying and finding power lacking. I think the boosted will be ok, and worth the extra cost. If it were a Fusion, for example, I think the 2.5 w/o boost would be adequate, but that is a sedan, and is not 4WD. This is 100% opinion.
tom

 

My quick $0.02
When shopping for a vehicle, I've found it's better to get the largest engine available.
What you might lack in economy you will never regret when you need power ... whether it's onramp acceleration, ability to transport or haul heavy loads, or just one of those times on the highway when some drunk is going to cause an accident and you need to just get the hell away from him (or her).
With 4WD, more power is always better anyway.

 

THX, ya I think I will look for an XLT 4WD 3.0L..

 

There is a reason for that...

The redesign for the 2008 model year was body only, still had the 2.3L or the original 3.0, just like pre-2008. And those were with a 4 speed automatic.

2009 was a complete power train change out. The new 4 was the 2.5L, the 3.0 was improved too. Both had the new 6F35 6-speed transaxle for automatics, and both are throttle-by-wire. It's as if there was a little guy tucked away somewhere that was an expert at shifting a 6 speed manual.

Tests showed that a 2009 (through 2012) 2.5L was just as fast as a pre-2009 3.0 V6. And the 2009 and later 3.0 V6 was faster than before. The 6 speed trans certainly helps out, too.

I drove both 2.5 and 3.0 before deciding which, the 2.5 was plenty fast, can zoom up expressway ramps into heavy traffic with confidence. We went with the 2.5L, cheaper, better gas mileage, and for those who do their own work, the 2.5L has probably the most engine compartment room of any recent vehicle (since the engine bay was designed to fit the V6, also). With the 2.5L, there is quite a bit of room BEHIND the engine! Can we stick a suitcase there?

No problem with our 80 and 85 MPH speed limits (read that as 85 & 90 ), though an Escape through 2012 at speeds like that gets to be like pushing a brick, don't expect good gas mileage at 80 - 90!
If we are able to avoid a headwind, we will get 29 - 30 MPG reliably over long distances @ 75 MPH or so. Have gotten ~32 MPG by slowing down a bit. This is with 2WD. Our "around town" (everybodys "around town" is different), I can get 25 - 26 MPG with no problem. Wife gets at least 2-3 MPG worse, because she accelerates fast when she doesn't need to, and doesn't get off the gas and coast when seeing a red light ahead. I do. I don't mean coasting for blocks, but no need to race up to the end of a stopped line and then be heavy on the brakes.

The choice, of course, is yours. Just wanted to provide some balance from somebody who has a had a 2.5L Escape for 7+ years now.

Yes, AWD will add some weight, but it was a lot less than I would have expected vs. 2WD. Can probably find the weights somewhere. IIRC, our Escape in my sig below is around 3,450 lbs. And AWD will have a bit more frictional drag, with rear half-shafts, rear diff, and rear driveshaft all spinning, EPA MPG for AWD was ~2 MPG lower than 2WD, IIRC.

 

I had a 01 4x4 with 3.0. Now wife has a 2010 with the 2.5 . Its ok the 4 cylinders are high reving so to get them to go you have to punch it a lot harder then the 3. 0 .

 

Either you stole my thought from another thread on FTE, or else you and I just think very very much alike. Proof= my 2007 workvan has the 6.8L V10

 

my wife and I bought a 2010 escape v6 and the power is fantastic. That torque-y V6 is impressive at low rpm and mid and high rpm. Nowhere on the tach does it disappoint.

And the 6spd automatic is a magnificent enhancement to the "butt dyno".

I wouldnt even consider a 4cyl engine.

 

If you had a similar post, I missed it or don't frequent the group you posted in.

Yeah..V10. I have regrets there... My 2001 Coachmen RV is on the GM chassis with the last of the 454's. If I had waited, I could have gotten the Ford chassis and the V10. The 454 does pretty good though.

Think they might offer the V10 in the new Ranger? That would make an awesome "Shelby" version........just sayin'