Thinking about getting an Escape sometime in the next year or so. I have a couple of questions.

How is the Escape in off-road conditions or in snow 8-10" deep?

Are the differentials limited slip or open?

Anyone ever took their Escape off road, thru mud, etc.?

Are they better than a Bronco II?

How well do the 4 cyls pull the Escape around?

How would you rate the reliability 1 being a pinto 10 being problem free.

What is the most mileage anyone has? How many miles were problem free?

Will it spin the tires? (not of utmost importance, but a plus)

Does anyone know what the towing capacity is?


Thanks in advance. Feel free to add any other important info, or suggestions.

 

No it won't spin the tires, the 4x4 system is allways engaged. The new 170 hp duratec 2.5 4 cylinder pulls it around quit well, and is good on gas, up in the 20's. They are really good in snow, thats where they shine. There decent in mud depending on what tire your running. There good for light wheeling, not made for the extreme stuff.I took my 01 to W,Va trail riding up in the mountains, I took that poor thing places you wouldn't try to drag a chain. I abused it and pushed it to it's limits and it didn't leave me walking, came close a couple of times, it's not a jeep, but holds it's own for what it is. It has open diffs, but not really, the computer monitors each wheel for slipage and sends power to those with traction like a good lsd, but it's computer controled, it thinks faster than you can to keep you moving in the slop. The computer can send power to any of the four wheels in a fraction of a second as condition dictate, it's an awesome system for a cross over suv. BSD even sells a 2" lift kit for it. It's main strengths are mad slloppy roads, be it a snowy highway or muddy logging road, it's not built to rock crawl, it has limits. It's an excellent cross over 4x4 suv if you know it's limits. It's comfortable and good on fuel, even with the V-6. With our V-6 4x4 mariner, we get 21.6 local and 24-25 highway and we have the 4 speed automatic, the 09's have a 6 speed automatic. You can get the 4 cylinder with a 5 speed manual and with 4x4.

 

If you really want a wheeler, don't get an Escape.

Unibody, no LSD, no low range, bad altertnator placement, low hanging CV boot covers, plastic front and rear bumber covers, limited aftermarket support...

If you want a vehicle that goes very well in snow and on the beach or dunes and minimal trails, it will be fine.

And NO, it is not better than a Bronco II (at wheelin) but it is a very good vehicle for what it was made for.

 

Exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks a bunch. Rep to you.


I will prob. end up getting one. I already have 2 dedicated offroad vehicles, and the new F 150 is slowly becoming more off road friendly and less highway friendly. I really need something to take on long trips to see family and vacations etc. It needs to be reliable and get good mileage. 4x4 capable to hit a couple of mild trails along the way. I think it will fit the bill. I am planning on going to Arizona next fall and I dont want to take the F 150 and get 16 mpg for 2000 miles.

 

I tow a 3200lb enclosed trailer with my 07. MPG goes down to about 16 when pulling.

 

Just sold my 1997 Ford Ranger Splash 4x4 SuperCab and picked up a 09 Escape Limited with 4WD and AdvanceTrac. From the descriptions I've read about the 4WD system, it's the same as the Edge AWD or 4WD on demand. I guess it's a marketing thing not to use the term 4WD with the Edge. It also sounds like the same as the Fusion AWD system.

 

People will be surprised what the escape will do when pushed to it's limits as I have. The new 4x4 systen is even better than the one I had on the 01. It works more like a lsd on each end as the computer monitors each wheel. It has the ability to send power to all 4 wheels if need be in the worst of situations. It's one of the best crossover suv's out there, it also has decent ground clearance. You will like it for light wheeling, but like I say, it's not a jeep. So don't get to crazy, but if you learn it's limits, you won't have to walk ha ha.

 

It can only apply power to front or rear, not side to side.

No LSD exists.

 

If it had AdvanceTrac, wouldn't that simulate a LSD function?

 

As far as I know the "transfer case" is the only thing that is electronically controlled. That would give the front-to-back power split. The diffs are open on front and rear.

I know my 01 was stuck with both passenger tires in the drainage area of the road that was frozen, both drivers side tires were on dry pavement. It wouldn't move.

 

Did they have AdvanceTrac in 01?

I mentioned it because quotes like this, "AdvanceTrac, monitors traction at all wheels and applies brakes to the individual wheel or wheels to help control a skid or spin." I'm not sure if it only works on a any wheel spin or just when your moving and wheels start to spin.

 

Yeah, thats what I was told, each wheel is monitered and has the ability to send power to any of the 4. If you apply brake presure it will cause the other wheel to spin, so you can apply power side to side as well as front to rear. It may not be continous to all 4, but it can adjust side to side, front and back as the situation warents. Thats why this system is better than my 01, it only was front and rear. If ever you get into a situation with a 4wd where 2 tires are on solid footing and the other side is in the muck, you can manualy apply brake presure to get the good tires turning, it's an old 4 wheelers trick with open diffs. We had our first big snow today, I took the mariner back to the barn, but I couldn't get the tires to spin, it just plowed trough the snow and mud. I guess it has to be deep enough to hang up the under carriage to really see what each individual tire will do. We had about 6" of snow with mud under that and the merc went like a champ, I'm very pleased with it so far. I have 2 jeeps and a 4x4 ranger for when I really want to wheel in the rough. The merc is perfect for my wife in bad weather driving. Thats what I got it for, so the wife would be safer on the roads this winter. It wasn't meant to be our all out wheeler, we have others for that. I just wanted to point out that there not bad for what they are and comfortable with mega options to boot.

 

That's great! I was hoping that AdvanveTrac worked that way.

 

No, different system in 01. Not sure when they changed to "Advanced Trac"

Are you sure the Escape has that system?

 

Yep, I have the button for it on the dash! It's a add-on like or uses the Anti-Lock brake system