I'm looking at a 2018 Escape SEL AWD for possible purchase. It has just under 31K miles...Panoramic Roof...Leather...1.5...and...is Ford CPO. I'd prefer the 2.0...but...in my opinion...they're too spendy. Asking price is just under $18K.

What should I be looking for and what can I expect from it in everyday use. Thanks!!!

 

My mom just upgraded from a 2015 SE to a 2017 SE with 12k for just under $18k. , make sure the transmission shifts good and smooth. My moms 2015 with 165k on it was still driving good except the transmission started to shift hard..

IMO the smaller engine is just fine. It's still Ecoboost so you put your foot into it, and it goes.

 

Thanks Matt...that's one of the reason I like the CPO warranty...I've heard of some tranny issues.

 

BigKen, we inherited a 2016 Escape 1.6L EcoBoost and this thing is great. It is a small SUV, so it can buzz around easily, but still be useful due to the cargo space. We get ~31 MPG in small town stop and go traffic and ~36 MPG on the interstate at 65 - 75 MPH. The other day we drove 50 miles at 70 MPH in 45° weather and got 39 MPG.

For a 1.6L, it gets up and moves quickly due to the turbo.

I change the transmission fluid every 15,000 - 20,000 miles or so. It takes 4 quarts of Motorcraft LV and just a few minutes. The plug and fill port are easily accessible. Perhaps this is overkill, but for $25 once a year I am OK with that. I have the under engine cover off anyway for the oil change.

It has 50,000 miles on it now and we don't plan to get rid of it anytime soon.

 

Thanks Sous...I'm all over on whether I want a SUV or just a front wheel drive car. I remember when the new Escape came out as I was selling Fords at the local dealership...they were head and shoulders above the "old" Escape. The only thing I didn't care for was the fact that it actually had less interior space...especially in the seating.

 

Your right, they are head and shoulders above the old Escape, but they are still an economical small "SUV". I use the term SUV loosely as we also have a Subaru Tribeca, which was a huge flop, but we love ours. We have the Limited with a 3.6L H-6 and I think that is not the norm. I suspect most bought the H-4 which was vastly underpowered.

Our Escape is a FWD only, which is more than adequate for GA roads. We use the Subaru when we go into the mountains and on Forest Service roads. We use the Subaru to travel to the NW in the big mountains, but the Escape could do very well as long as someone was an experienced FWD driver in inclement weather.

It is small, but we use it as our errand runner and buzz around car. It get nearly TWICE the MPG of the Subaru and it only makes sense. All that said, we probably wouldn't have bought one if we had the choice, but we really like having it in our inventory. We inherited though and are very grateful for our gift from my mom as she passed on. We were able to remove a 2002 Mercury Sable with 250,000 miles on it that was a true beater.

We have our eyes set on a 2020 Subaru Ascent for our future vehicle and thought we would trade in the Escape, but now we are thinking the Subaru Tribeca may leave us and we would keep the Escape. So, even though it would not have been our choice, we thoroughly enjoy the carrying capacity, MPG, noise level when traveling and the ease of driving it.

 

If I go SUV...it will definitely be an AWD. On the list in addition to the Escape are the usual suspects...Forester...RAV4...CRV. I've also checked out some AWD wagons...like the Outback...Volvo...C60. I like the Subarus...but...they are a whole lot more expensive than the Escape. I like the Volovs...but...damn...they're expensive to maintain. The Escape seems to be the best value $$$ wise...as the Japanese imports brands hold their value so well.

 

My mom ended up with her original 2015 Escape, because the 2016 Crosstrek she had puked the driver side of the engine at a little less than 50k miles. Lost a valve keeper, destroyed the camshaft and cylinder head. They repaired it under warranty but it was never quite right, and later at about 20k miles more developed a cam sensor code that couldn't be rectified. Out of warranty, Subaru wanted $800 out of pocket to pull the engine and see if there was anything Subaru was willing to do. She made them trade her car for a good amount on the 2015 Escape that actually had 100k miles.. The valve train issue is now a class action lawsuit and a known problem on all of the FB 4cyls.. Having been around Foresters as well, The Escape is twice the vehicle without a doubt.. Honda CRV/ RAV 4 would be better, but more expensive as well and Ecoboost is just hard to beat

 

Thanks for your input Matt...that's what I wanted to hear...from people with actual experience. I sold a fair number of RAV4s...both new and used...my neighbor has one he bought new last year...and...I know a fair number of Subarus. I'll have to balance $$$$...both now...and...projected future resale values in my consideration. As I said...the Escape will be cheaper...but...will also be worth quite a bit less in the future. I'm going to go see the Escape I listed next Tuesday...it's about 100 miles from me. I'll be ready to do business if the vehicle is as nice as it appears...and...they're willing to deal. We'll see...I'll keep you updated.

 

Subaru has the best AWD on the market, even better than Audi.

The Forester is a nice product, but the Outback was too much like a car for us when we test drove it. Subaru was giving $50 gift cards out to anyone that test drove an Outback in late 2019, so we did. Easy choice to get paid $50 for a test drive. We bought our Subaru Tribeca in 2010 and it was a 2008 model. We love that car so much, it is silly how much we love it. We have driven it cross country many, many times and it has never let us down in any situation. (KNOCK ON WOOD). We are Subaru customers for life.

As Matt167 said though, Subaru is not without fault. They have had some major issues with engines and transmissions. So, that is a consideration. The new 2.4L turbo is a nice and well built engine though. I think Subaru is still ironing out their CVT transmission. It is chain driven and not belt though, so that is a plus. Our 2008 Tribeca has needed spark plugs and an accessory belt in 135,000 miles. Well, brakes, tires, oil filters, etc too.

Toyota and Honda make some nice vehicles as well, but the AWD system in those vehicles leaves a lot to be desired. We considered a Volvo SUV when we were looking at the Subaru, but came to the same realization as you about the maintenance costs.

The Escape is a good vehicle, but it cannot and should not be compared to a Subaru, not truly in the same class. Not quite as big a gap between say a Fusion and a Mercedes, but you get the idea I am sure. When we drive our 2008 Subaru, it feels more solid and of better quality than our 2016 Escape. There is some give and take with each decision, but you will figure it out once the idea is done rattling around in your head.

 

For sure that would be a consideration. My mom was able to get her 1st Escape without eating much negative equity at all because they gave a decent trade to keep her somewhat happy, and the 2015 Escape with 100k miles was basically worthless. I don't remember how much it was, but not much at all.

 

I don’t recommend AWD for a few different reasons which may or may not matter to you. Keep in mind this isn’t specifically about the 2018 escape, just AWD set ups in general.

1) They are less fuel efficient compared to a part time 4WD set up on the same vehicle. The amount of extra fuel needed will mostly depend on your driving habits.

2) Tires will wear faster, even with good alignment and regular rotation.

3) The drive train components are rarely serviceable these days. For example, the driveshaft and rear differential are replaced as assemblies rather than repaired, so instead of spending a few hundred dollars for u-joints, you’ll have to spend at least $1,000 for a whole new driveshaft. Even used driveshafts can cost upwards of $700 or more. Differentials can be $1,500 - $2,000.

4) The ABS, traction control, and vehicle stability systems are interdependent on one another, so a fault with one system will typically disable the other systems as well.

5) The traction control function of an AWD compared to that of a 2WD/FWD is often overstated as a selling point (statements such as removing power from one wheel and transferring it to another). They make it sound like it’ll be your saving grace in a moment of need, but it’s like any other feature - it’s only as good as the person using it. It will rarely provide anything useful to a driver whose attentive and driving appropriately for the conditions.

None of this is to say you shouldn’t own an AWD - only you know what your needs and preferences are - I just wanted to give you some other things to consider.

 

IMO Subaru USED to be a good vehicle. 2010 or so, they started cheapening plastics and such and then in 2012 introduced the FB engines which are great, except they are not. I'm in and out of them all the time at work since I do tires in Subaru Country as well as having had a couple older ones myself. My Fiance has a 2019 STI. I will admit that car is pretty amazing. She is also a Subaru Ambassador and likes go fast cars.

 

Thanks...understood on all points. I'm old now...drive gently...and...only put on about 8000 miles per year. Your above points are why I'm considering a CPO...this is the one I'm looking at...

Used 2018 Ford Escape SEL For Sale in Haverhill MA | #FH02006T (autofairfordofhaverhill.com)

The CPO program offers 12/12,000 full car coverage and 7/100,000 powertrain which would go until 8/6/2025.

Do I NEED AWD...probably not...do I WANT AWD...probably. In my 33 years in sales and management in the car business...I made a LOT of $$$$$ on want...not need.

 

I hadn’t owned a AWD until I got my Escape but I love it. It’s one of those things that most of the time you don’t need but when the occasion arises it’s great to have. Like tonight I left home as it started snowing and the roads was wet to slushy but had to drive home from my parents Christmas with 5 inches of fresh snow on the road and more coming down.