Ford Escape V6 2004 Review

They are essentially the same, but until now the Escape has only come with a V6, while the Tribute was available with either the six or a four-cylinder. Ford Australia officials said they weren't happy with the four on offer from Japan and decided to wait until a new 2.3-litre version arrived.

Now it's here, and both the Tribute and Escape are available with the same V6 and four-cylinder engines.

We chose the more rugged-looking Escape to test the new four-cylinder, but any potential customers should have a look at both cars before they sign on the dotted line.

With a $31,990 starting price, the four-cylinder Escape offers a $2000 saving against the V6 model.

The Escape makes use of an on-demand all-wheel-drive system – when the front wheels start losing traction, up to 50 per cent of the drive is sent to the rear.

If the going gets stickier, there's a dash-mounted switch to lock the powertrain, turning the Escape into a 50:50 all-wheel-drive machine.

This wagon is not for rough and tumble work, but it is not beyond a dash up the beach or climbing a muddy track for a better view.

About 80 per cent of compact softroaders sold in Australia last year were four-cylinder machines, which suggests this version of the Escape could be popular, especially if petrol prices stay high.

The advantages here over the V6 are the purchase price and savings on the fuel bill; the four should average about 10 litres per 100km (better than that on long cruises), while the V6 is closer to 13 litres per 100km.

The 2.3-litre Escape four-cylinder is not a rocket-ship, with 108kW at 6000 revs and 201Nm at 4500 revs.

It is linked to a four-speed automatic gearbox with a column shift.

The 2004 Escape's suspension is much the same as when the Escape first appeared. But among a couple of revisions this year, the front damper valves are bigger and the stabiliser control links have been repositioned.

ON THE ROAD

The four-cylinder Escape is smart and cheerful. The price is right, and it has a decent amount of youthful charm, bright colours and lifestyle versatility.

The four-cylinder engine is adequate, though it is a little noisy when pressed for that last bit of power and lacks the punch of the V6.

The Escape is a light machine around town and on the highway. This is good and bad.

It is agile in tighter spots but it is light on the open road where more road noise drifts into the cabin and the suspension is not quite as fluid.

And that cabin, while quite workable, verges on the cheap side in the plastics. The stereo does not match some of its rivals.

But the Escape does a good job for the money, important at this end of the market.

There is ambivalence about that column shift, mounted on the left, for the four-speed auto. Not much space is saved because there's still a centre console and handbrake lever. So it's sort of cute but not always as convenient as a T-bar auto.

The auto has some refinement, though it may start hunting if pushed around and changes can be abrupt under pressure, as when climbing with a load. It's best to let it find its own pace and switch the overdrive off. This is done with a button in the end of the gear lever.

The drive system depends on the front wheels scrabbling for traction before the back pair lend a hand. On some starts, even on dry bitumen, there can be a little too much of this front-drive action before the back kicks in.

Once the drive split is sorted, the Escape bowls along at a merry pace.

As with most compact all-drivers, it can be fun on a dirt track. When the stuff gets too thick, it's best to slow down and lock in the four-wheel-drive equally to the four 16-inch wheels, shod here with 215/70 R16 rubber.

The suspension changes improve the ride and the Escape also has more feel to the steering, which is always positive and direct.

There's some body roll if the wagon is thrown too quickly or too hard into turns. Best to make it a slow, gentle approach into the corner, then power out. It is an accommodating wagon with comfortable space for four adults.

The four-cylinder Escape, for all its versatility as a part-time all-wheel driver, is more a lifestyle runabout machine than a head-for-the-hills adventurer.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A tidy package for the money, best used by young singles or couples or as a second car. Would struggle with a family and all their gear aboard.