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Vehicle Min Max 2002 Ford Escape N/A N/A 2012 GMC Terrain N/A N/A 2012 Subaru Forester N/A N/A 2012 Jeep Wrangler N/A N/A Average Not Available 
Used Car Price RangeCurrently Unavailable
Vehicle Min Max 2002 Ford Escape N/A N/A 2012 GMC Terrain N/A N/A 2012 Subaru Forester N/A N/A 2012 Jeep Wrangler N/A N/A Average Not Available Based On: 10% down, 5% APR, 60 months
Estimated Monthly PaymentCurrently Unavailable
MPG city hwy 2002 Ford Escape 20 24 2012 GMC Terrain 21 31 2012 Subaru Forester 20 26 2012 Jeep Wrangler 17 21 Average 20 26 MPG20 City | 24 Highway
$3,500 Rebate Expires 03/05/2012
2002 Ford Escape Review Summary
What reviewers liked most about the 2002 Ford Escape:
I found the Escape's handling to be stable, predictable, and the driving experience to be enjoyable.
- Canadian DriverEscape is two inches shorter than the [Ford] Focus sedan, but inside has... nearly as much interior room as an [Ford] Explorer.
- AutoWeekBeing able to see the leading edge of the hood from the driver's seat makes the Escape easier to maneuver in tight places, whether you're deep in the woods or (more likely) in a tight big-city garage.
- New Car Test DriveThere's a rear liftgate with flip-up glass so you can quickly access the cargo area.
- Woman MotoristThe Ford Escape offers agile handling on both paved and unpaved roads. It rides smoothly and gets strong acceleration performance from an optional V6.
- New Car Test DriveThe Escape handles incredibly well, with none of the steering vagueness and ride tippiness that characterize so many SUVs, and its brakes are unusually strong.
- Automobile...the easy-to-fold rear seatbacks, which can be lowered and raised one-handed...
- Popular Mechanics
What reviewers liked least about the 2002 Ford Escape:
...snow traction was disappointing.
- Car and Driver...consumers who want the base four cylinder, front-wheel-drive model with an automatic transmission are out of luck.
- Canadian DriverBurdened with people and gear, a four-cylinder Escape is bound to be rather weedy.
- Edmunds.com...diminutive gas tank, which requires refilling every couple of days.
- Popular Mechanics
2002 Ford Escape Comparisons:
...faster [0-60 mph] than... the Honda Civic EX coupe, Kia Sportage, Nissan Xterra, Saab 9-5 wagon and Lexus RX 300.
- AutoWeekFirst place (tie) [with the Mazda Tribute in 11-vehicle comparison].
- Car and DriverCR-V has only a four-cylinder engine." [Jeep] Cherokee has an optional six-cylinder with less horsepower but more torque.
- USA TodayNeither the Toyota [RAV4] nor the Honda [CR-V] offers an optional V-6, and the Escape's V-6, mated exclusively to an automatic transmission, is much livelier than the [Nissan] Xterra's.
- AutomobileFord Escape and the nearly identical Mazda Tribute may be the best small sport-utility vehicles sold today.
- New Car Test Drive...the Honda CR-V... looks dainty and dated by comparison.
- New Car Test Drive
Best one-liners about the 2002 Ford Escape:
If you want boxy, buy an Escape or a Mazda Tribute.
- The Detroit NewsPerversely, but typically for Ford, expensive leather upholstery was less comfortable than cloth.
- USA Today...if we just had to have one more SUV, this is the one to welcome with open arms.
- Cars Everything...likely to be the equal of the Chrysler P/T Cruiser as the darling of journalists and buyers alike.
- Cars Everything
2002 Ford Escape Introduction
Ford Escape offers agile handling on both paved and unpaved roads. It rides smoothly and gets strong acceleration performance from an optional V6 engine. The Escape seats four people comfortably, and folding down the rear seats reveals a flat, moderately sized cargo area. Best of all, its price is relatively low.
A completely new vehicle a year ago, the Ford Escape is among the best small sport-utilities vehicle on sale today, especially if you spend little time off road.
2002 Ford Escape Walkaround
Ford designers worked to achieve a balance between the SUV's image of confidence, ruggedness and versatility with an image of agility and fun. The Escape's forward-poised stance, large wheel lips, wide body cladding and an integrated bumper guard give a functional look. The Escape is wider than other compact SUVs and this gives it a look that is both aggressive and well planted. Short front and rear overhangs add more to the sports appeal. The Escape looks bold and aggressive than the Honda CR-V, looking like it came from the same family as the Ford Explorer and Expedition.
Being able to see the leading edge of the hood from the driver's seat makes the Escape easier to maneuver in tight places, whether you're deep in the woods or (more likely) in a tight big-city garage. If you are deep in the woods, its 8.5 inches of ground clearance may help clear obstacles. Outside door handles are easy to grab and feel like they're going to last.
Accessories from Ford Outfitters include a snap-in pet barrier and a system to haul two mountain bikes in the cargo area. Bike racks can also be mounted on the roof; the standard roof rack with crossbars holds up to 100 pounds. We don't like the idea of getting vehicles with tall ground clearances then bolting running boards on them. Ford says it designed the running boards on the Escape so that they do not lower the ground clearance. They are expected to be popular on the Escape and are designed to make it easier to install kayaks, snowboards and other toys on the roof rack. Likewise, the rear bumper was designed to aid roof access.
2002 Ford Escape Interior Features
Ford claims the Escape is among the most spacious of the small SUVs (rated at 133.9 cubic feet of total interior volume). The rear cargo area offers 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, making it just the thing for a day of antiquing. With the split 60/40 rear seats folded up to accommodate up to five passengers it provides 33.0 cubic feet. Entering and exiting the vehicle is aided by a low doorsill height and wide door openings.
Front-seat roominess is similar to that of the Explorer. Rear seats offer good knee room. White-faced instruments, in vogue these days, are in a straightforward instrument panel.
Side airbags are optional.
The audio system and heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls in the center stack are angled slightly toward the driver to ease reach while driving. Ford engineers say they tested the placement of the controls by using blindfolded occupants.
2002 Ford Escape Driving Impressions
Sport-utility vehicles are not sports cars. In spite of that, California's twisting Highway 1 is an enjoyable drive in the Ford Escape. Handling response is relatively taut without that mushiness that characterizes SUVs with big off-road tires and long-travel suspensions. On muddy fire roads pocked with puddles and potholes, the Escape is a blast.
Steering is responsive. It feels direct and accurate without a big dead spot in the center. There's enough feeling in the steering to impart a sense of control. Though this is not a sports car, the tires provide respectable grip in paved corners.
When pushed beyond their limits, the front tires start slipping before the rear tires, just like most front-wheel-drive sedans. Called understeer, this means the Escape will describe a wider and wider arc through a corner as it is driven harder into a turn. So it's expected and predictable. Simply back slightly off the throttle and the vehicle tightens its line.
The Escape provides surprisingly good transient response in a series of left-right-left corners. This permits quick, yet smooth, driving. Two passengers never paused in an in-depth marketing discussion despite the fact that we were escaping at a brisk pace down Highway 1.
The V6 engine delivers good acceleration performance. While there's no such thing as too much power, I never felt lacking in the Escape. The engine and four-speed automatic transmission communicate and work well together. The transmission shifts smoothly up and down appropriately for the situation and the engine's broad power band never lugs or strains. It isn't the smoothest V6 on the market, nor is it the roughest. But it is smoother and more satisfying than the four-cylinder engines found on most small sport-utilities.
Brakes are smooth and responsive. The anti-lock brakes (ABS) come into play just when expected and are detectable by the familiar pulsating sensation. ABS lengthens braking distances on wet, slimy clay, however, so I found it difficult to slow the vehicle in time for tight switchbacks on the unpaved roads. (This is no different than any other SUV with ABS, however.)
2002 Ford Escape Final Word
With the V6 engine, which is standard in the XLT version for 2002 and an option in the XLS, the Ford Escape offers the most power in its category. A four-wheel independent suspension and unitbody construction make it handle almost as well as a car. A car-like ride makes it easy to live with. Overall, we feel the Escape is the best SUV in its class.
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