2001 Ford Escape Review

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Review:

When I took delivery last week of a much-anticipated contender in the mini-SUV category, the Ford Escape, I just knew it would be a huge hit with my wife and teenage daughters. It was painted in that chromium yellow extrovert color that's such a rage at the moment. It had this rounded, tailored exterior, which was tastefully two-tone with gray plastic underpanels. I liked the looks right off the bat, so I knew they'd rave over it.

After all, it's the female "demo"--especially the teen and college set--that's made such a phenom out of these micro sport/utes. Toyota got the ball rolling years ago with the RAV4 based on its Corolla econobox. Then Honda showed up with its Civic-based CR-V. Chevy has Tracker; Suzuki has Vitara; Isuzu has Amigo; Nissan has Xterra.

For once, Ford, truck maven that it is, arrived late to the party. Never fear: The Ford Escape is here--in tandem, it must be said, with Mazda's forthcoming Tribute. Both are based on a shared platform that trace a sinuous pedigree back through the Mazda 626 sedans and the Ford Probe/Mazda MX6 coupes.