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2013 Ford Escape has the lowest reliability rating
The 2013 Escape is an all new model, with new powertrains. There have been a couple recall issues. None of that would scare me off thinking there is a definate long term detriment to real world reliability.
The 2013 Escape is an all new model, with new powertrains. There have been a couple recall issues. None of that would scare me off thinking there is a definate long term detriment to real world reliability.
The second site seems kind of anecdotal.
For me, a first-year run of a domestic model is a red flag.
It's fine if he wants to rule it out because of that. I lot of people do. Nothing wrong with that. However, I wonder why he points out he likes it if he has no intention of getting it.
I personally hate (and I cannot stress "hate" enough) the 2013 Escape. I think it is an overpriced, awful, below average small CUV in the marketplace with horrid driving dynamics, cheap interior (particularly in leather), lacking any kind of useable back seat space and a minimal of cargo space, and has underpowered engines that sells based on the razzle dazzle of the Cray Super-Computer like dashboard toys. I think far more SUV, for as much or less, can be had elsewhere.
So I am by no means going to build it up as some fabulous car in the marketplace. My position was based solely on the fact that he did like it... and if there was a car I wanted in it's first model year and I did not like the rest of the competition, I doubt I would settle for fear of a recal or lose trim piece at some point.
Instead of the Escape, I would recommend he go drive an Outback, or a Venza, or something similar. Bigger SUV's, bigger and more powerful engines. More substantial fuel economy. Better ride and handling dynamics. About the same money (or less) equivalently equipped.
The Venza is a vastly underrated vehicle. I've driven the four and the six, and the four is shockingly peppy and the tiptronic is surprisingly crisp and fast. Great ride quality, good handling for what it is... as far as crossovers go, it would be near the top of my list if I were shipping for one. The six has plenty of get up and torque... they run in the low 30s new but you can find a used one well under thirty.
Get a compact SUV with a manual transmission. It will tow better and be faster than it's automatic counterpart.
Almost everything with a manual has a lower towing rating that the same powertrain with an automatic. It has been that way for a long time - even in pickup trucks.
my wife has a Honda Pilot, and we love it, it has the 3.5l at 250hp and has plenty of torque for towing our 18" boat on a trip.. did anyone look at Pilot..
Too bad the V6 is not an option in the new Rav. We have a Limited with awd, and even at our altitude in CO(7500), I never get tired of the acceleration. We towed a U-Haul trailer with a piano and other stuff to San Diego last Christmas and had no problems with maintaining 75mph over the grades. Going to sea level was like adding 40hp.
On another note> I drove a new F-150 Ecoboost V6 to AZ a few months ago. It was very quick, but the mileage was in the 17's for the long highway trip. I've done the same trip with Fords, Chevys, and a Ram, all with V8's and got around 20mpg. I think the V6 would do well if you stayed out of the boost, but in real world driving that is very hard to do.
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