2012 Ford Escape Review and Prices

Styling: The 2012 Ford Escape’s styling is unchanged. It retains classic proportions and pleasing details. This is what SUVs looked like when they were basically four-door wagon bodies attached to pickup-truck frames.

Ironically, the original 2001 Escape helped usher in the modern era of the crossover SUV. Crossovers have car-type unibody construction in which body and frame are essentially one piece. They’re lighter than truck-based SUVs for better roadability and fuel economy but not as well suited to heavy-duty hauling, towing, or punishing off-roading.  

Ford over the years seemed to pay more attention to stocking Escape with high-tech do-dads – did you know it can automatically park itself? – than to honing its packaging or driving manners. So while the 2012 Escape’s overall size makes it easy to maneuver and its cargo volume is competitive with those of compact-class rivals, its back seat feels cramped, it rides rougher and noisier than newer crossovers, and its interior design is stale.

The 2012 Escape returns as a five-passenger wagon with a rear liftgate and offers base XLS, midline XLT, and top-line Limited models.  Hybrid versions come in base trim -- equivalent to XLT equipment -- and in Limited form.

Mechanical: The 2012 Ford Escape reprises a choice of two gas engines and a gas-electric hybrid powertrain.

The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 171 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque (think of torque as the force that gets a vehicle moving, horsepower as the energy that keeps it moving). Available on XLT and Limited models is a 3.0-liter V-6 with 240 horsepower and 223 pound-feet of torque.

The 2012 Escape Hybrid combines the four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for 177 net horsepower (Ford doesn’t list a torque figure). The Escape Hybrid can run exclusively on electricity at low speeds, on the gas engine alone, or on both power sources in combination. It self-charges the on-board battery system and no plug-in is required.

All iterations of the 2012 Escape are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD). As per crossover custom, Escape’s AWD system normally operates in front-drive but automatically shuffles power to the rear wheels when sensors detect front-tire slip. Though it has 8.4-inches of ground clearance – more than average for a compact crossover – Escape isn’t designed for severe off-roading and its AWD system lacks low-range gearing.

Three transmissions are on tap. The front-wheel-drive Escape XLS comes with a five-speed manual transmission. Optional on that model and standard on all other four- and six-cylinder Escapes is a six-speed automatic transmission. To Ford’s credit, Escape was one of the first in its class to adopt a six-speed automatic; a few key rivals, such as the newer 2012 Honda CR-V and 2012 Toyota RAV4, still use five-speed automatics.

The 2012 Escape Hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A CVT assumes the role of an automatic transmission but with a rheostat-like delivery of power rather than set number of gears.

The trailer-towing rating with the four-cylinder engine is a middle-of-the-pack 1,500 pounds but V-6-equipped Escapes can tow 3,500 pounds, which is more than typical for the class. The Escape Hybrid is rated to tow 1,000 pounds.      

Features: The 2012 Escape carries over a catalog of features that’s among the more intriguing in its competitive set. Unfortunately, they’re offset by a dated a cabin of undistinguished squared-off shapes and a plethora of hard-touch surfaces.

Nonetheless, the 2012 Escape is the only compact SUV able to parallel park itself. Ford’s Active Park Assist option employs sensors to measure a suitably sized parking space and then backs the Escape into the slot while the driver – hands off the wheel -- controls the speed with the brake.

Escape was among the first in its category to offer a comprehensive voice-activated infotainment system. Called Sync, the jointly developed Ford–Microsoft setup provides hand-free access to audio and other functions via voice commands.

Sync incorporates Bluetooth mobile-phone and music streaming and a USB iPod interface. Available Sync services include turn-by-turn travel directions, movie times, sports content, weather and other personalized data delivered through the audio system.

Another adjunct is Ford’s Vehicle Health Report, which allows customers to receive an online report of vehicle diagnostics, and 911 Assist, which can connect directly to a 911 operator through the paired mobile phone after an accident in which an airbag deploys.

A navigation system with a dashboard touchscreen and rearview camera is optional on 2012 Escape Limited models, both gas and hybrid. A review camera that displays on a portion of the inside rearview mirror is available on Escapes without the navigation system. And Escape is among the very few compact crossovers in this price range to offer a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. That option is available on XLT and Limited models and mounts video screens in the back of the front headrests.

Escape was among the early adopters of electric power steering, which saves gas by eliminating a hydraulic system’s drain on the engine. Escape’s system incorporates Ford’s Pull-Drift Compensation feature designed to reduce driver fatigue and increase steering control by automatically compensating for such drift-inducing factors as severely crowned roads or strong crosswinds.

All 2012 Escapes come with Ford’s MyKey system that allows the owner to program the ignition key to capping top speed to 80 mph and to encourage seatbelt use by limiting audio volume to 44 percent. Ford bills MyKey as parental encouragement to safe teenage driving. Escapes also come with Ford’s Easy Fuel capless fuel-filler system. Standard safety features include head-protecting curtain side airbags for all outboard positions.

Air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, and power windows locks and mirrors are included in the base price of every 2012 Escape. So are steering-wheel audio controls, a roof cargo rack, and 16-inch alloy wheels.