Ford Escape XLT vs Honda CRV

sliverpicker · 02-28-2006, 04:56 PM

My wife and I shopping for a small sized SUV. I've been looking at these two in particular. Was wondering if anyone has opinions good or bad on these two vehicles?

What other makes and models would you recommend in the size vehicle and price range?

Thanks!

hot shot · 02-28-2006, 05:14 PM

My wife has a '03 Ford Escape. I am a bigger guy, in the range of 6'2" and 270lbs. I am very comfortable in it driving and riding in it even in the back. We haven't had any problems with it. It is really smooth to drive. It has 4wd and it has the tow package. I have pulled my quad trailer , and my boat trailer behind it smoothly. It is one with a V6. It is a good buy if you ask me.

broncos0707 · 02-28-2006, 05:25 PM

I have to disagree from working on them. The escape I have had to replace a timing chain probley a fluke. However I have replace 3 drive axles. They are a front wheel drove 4x4 is wierd and I dont like it. Too new. Now the exploder has been out for so long all the bugs have been worked out. I would go with The new toyota fj7 the 2wd is starting at 22,500 the 4x4 26,000 wich is close to the exploder. give me a call and we can talk about others out there. The new fj7 is sweet but I dont think it will be out for awhile yet. google it and see what it looks like. pm me if you want to talk about it. I work on them all the time and you really get to know what problems you will have and they all have problems.

J.C>

One other thing all wheel drives are bad 4x4 are good. Remember If you ruin a tire on an al wheel drive with more then 1/16 tred used you have to replace all 4 tires. Alos uneven wear causes alot of wear on the transmission. transfer case and front and rear ends

FireCat · 02-28-2006, 05:48 PM

Silverpicker...You sound alot like a friend I have at work except he was looking at the Ford and Rav4. What he ended up with was the Kia sportage. It is a very nice little outfit, he almost got the Kia Sorento. the prices of these are very much in the ball park for alot of folks and they come with a 10 yr 100,000 mile warrenty.

Bonita · 02-28-2006, 06:07 PM

I would definately go with the Honda.
Have been out of the automotive field for a few years now, but my mother was recently looking at the CRV. It is every bit a Honda. That means it's reliable, efficient, and holds it's value like crazy.

Zodiac-Fisherman · 02-28-2006, 06:13 PM

broncos0707,

The new toyota FJ7 does look sweet, it will be on my list for future cars..

FireCat · 02-28-2006, 07:09 PM

Not a bad looking Item!! toyota FJ, kinda has his daddy,s ..eyes

sliverpicker · 02-28-2006, 07:12 PM

Thanks for the responses folks! I've been comparing the various models on edmunds.com and think I'm getting even more confused.

Some of the small SUV's are just plain "unattractive" to look at IMO! I suppose what it will all come down to is what appeals to my wife's eye

It appears the CRV is only available in a 4 cyl, not that it matters that much. On "edmunds", the CRV had a slightly better editor's rating, but the Escape had a higher consumer rating.

My wife drives 5 days a week from our house east of Sandy into the Gresham for work, so she needs something dependable. Also, our driveway is fairly steep and we ocassionally get quite abit of snow in the winter. We've had several front wheel drive cars, but still have to chain up once in awhile to get her car up to the house. I'm not sure I fully understand the workings of the AWD/4WD that comes with the Escape. Whatever happened to locking/unlocking hubs?

Another car we are considering is the Subaru Outback. Talked with several people who swear by the Outback!

Thanks again!

broncos0707 · 02-28-2006, 07:27 PM

All wheel drive is always in 4 wheel drive. 4 wheel drive is only engauged when you want it. I would never buy a all wheel drive. Now on the to the fj7 I saw that and for the first time in my life I will be bying a new car. I fell in love.

Zodiac-Fisherman · 02-28-2006, 07:48 PM

Sliver,

Take a good hard look at Subies, your wife would have way too much fun with a WRX Sti.

EZLoader · 02-28-2006, 07:59 PM

Back in 2003 I rented a Ford Escape from Budget Rentals at the airport when they had a one week unlimited mileage rental special for just $159.00. My wife and I took it on vacation and toured all over Washington state putting a 1000 miles on that car. We absolutely loved it for its comfort, agility, and power. We got 25 mpg with that Escape XLT with a 200 hp V6.

I'm 6'2" and it is much better than the Honda CRV for comfort (just sit in them). We like it so much we bought a new, fully loaded 2004 Ford Escape XLT and have since put 30,000 miles on it. No problems at all except it is now our favorite car to drive and the mileage is adding up too fast.

I would buy another Ford Escape without hesistation. Edmunds is a good source for information and that is what led me to the Escape to begin with. They are a blast to drive.

It pays to do a short term rental of the car model that you are interested in buying. Driving a car for a few miles outside the dealership doesn't allow you to test the car enough. Most models are available to rent so go find one and take it to the coast or mountains for a weekend and see if it really meets your needs and expectations.

PS - All wheel drive was explained to me by the dealer that I am in 2 (front) wheel drive until the car begins to slip and then "all wheel drive" kicks in automatically. If I want full time 4 wheel drive for snow, mud or ice then I just flip the inside switch to 4WD. I tried to spin the Escape in snow and ice but the traction kept it moving solidly forward with little slippage at all. It's a great snow rig.

sliverpicker · 03-01-2006, 03:38 AM

Thanks again guys!

I'm 6'3", so we need something I don't feel like a sardine in when we go out and about. Plus we have two teenage son's, so some legroom in the back seat is also a consideration!

I imagine my weekend will be spent looking and driving vehicles in the city!

Ryan Pultz · 03-01-2006, 03:56 AM

Take a look at the Jeep Liberty they are nice ot drive and and lets face it Jeep knows there 4x4's rp

gottafish · 03-01-2006, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Thanks again guys!

I imagine my weekend will be spent looking and driving vehicles in the city!

No bone for you

SlipKnot · 03-01-2006, 08:06 AM

Not postive but I'm pretty sure we saw some of the new Toyata FJ whatevers rolling off the boat in St John's while we were sturgeon fishing lask weekend.

They should be in the dealers very soon if we are correct.

FallRiverGuy · 03-01-2006, 08:32 AM

You might want to look at the Toyota Hilander and RAV4. The RAV4 is now a bigger rig with a V-6.

oregonmuley · 03-01-2006, 10:15 AM

Yes, check out the new Rav4, its much bigger, also I think looks much bettter than the old model that didn't look too good. The new Rav4 I think has 269hp V6 so should be able to tow with it, maybe not the best milage though. CRV also not bad.

sliverpicker · 03-01-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Thanks again guys!

I imagine my weekend will be spent looking and driving vehicles in the city!

No bone for you

I could stay home all weekend and still find more antlers then you gottafish!

I've been seeing quite afew of the Honda CRV's on the road the last two day's, so they must be pretty popular! Too many choice's actually. My wife will check them out Friday and hopefully narrow it down to two vehicles. Looks like they all have some good features, and I haven't heard about any particular model to shy away from.

I'm going to print all the responses so my wife can read them later, so thanks for all the replies.

fishnwHim · 03-01-2006, 05:20 PM

We have been looking at these same vehicles and I have made a few Observations.

1- Honda crv- originally our first choice, nice to look at but only a four cylinder, very hard seats, and the road noise is deafening and almost all the consumer reports I have read, even from people that loved their CRVs , #1 complaint was road noise.

2- Maxda Tribute- nice cars , same assembly line as the Escape. The big difference is that the tribute has a 4yr/50,000 mile warranty VS. 3yr/36000 on the Escape. Smooth ride and semi-quiet, comes with all the options, side curtain airbags, tow package and power enough to tow the smaller boats. Don't care for the styling on the tribute as much as the Escape.

3- Rav 4 (older Version) don't like the looks, definite Toyota quality, only 4 cyl.

4- Suzuki XL-7 - never thought I would drive a suzuki, but we were actually quite impressed with the car and all it's extras, like fancy stereo system, climate control, lots of cup holders, etc. it drove and handled well . It also is the only mini suv with a frame , all the rest are unibody suspension , therefore it is heavier and doesn't get the mileage that some of the others do.

5-we are probably leaning toward a 2004 Escape XLT because my wife likes the interior styling in the earlier years better. I really like these cars, and it's scary because I am definitely a Toyota guy and I have been burned on American made cars. Anyway my pick for styling , performance, comfort and price , would be Escape.