[Escape-PA-]

Hello, this summer our family plans on buying a new vehicle to replace our aging Accord. This time around we wanted to get something that was more capable and roomier than the Accord. We need the following capabilities from the vehicle we choose:

Capability- Needs to be able to handle the snow/wintery conditions of our area.

Fuel economy- We want a vehicle that can average at least 25 MPG highway. BTW, not interested in the hybrid.

Roomy- Big enough to hold 3-4 adults and their luggage on long trips.

Cost- Our family doesn't want to spend much more than $25k.

After doing some research I narrowed it down to the Ford Escape Limited 4x4/4 cylinder and the Jeep Patriot Limited 4x4. I already asked about the Patriot on forums related to that vehicle, they had very good things to say about the vehicle. A lot of people that own the Freedom Drive One Patriot get between 24 and 28 MPG highway, it works well in the snow, they find the vehicle to be roomy, and they got very good deals on them. I also told them I was cross-shopping the Patriot with the Escape, surprisingly they had to say good things about the Escape. In fact many members on that website are currently deciding between the Patriot and Escape. So to complete my research I came here to gather some data from owners.

I just wanted to ask a few questions and see what owners think of the Escape. So please share your experiences with me. We plan on getting a fully loaded Escape with most of the factory options: Moonroof, Navigation, Heated Seats, Dual Zone Auto Climate Controls, Auto-Dimming mirror, etc. Now I wanted to ask a few questions. Does the 4WD Escape come with a locking differential? We have another 4WD vehicle with this feature and we found it to be extremely helpful in the snow, especially getting up snowy driveways. What do you guys think of the stock tires? Especially in the winter. Is it possible to order the Moonroof and Navigation on the same vehicle? When I went to the Ford website and built an Escape the build your own tool would remove the "Sun/Tune package" when we selected the navigation option, is the Moonroof part of the navigation option? Finally what do you guys think of the rear seat legroom and storage space in the rear?

That's about all the questions I can think of. Right now we are leaning towards the Jeep Patriot since it seems to get great fuel economy while giving the driver confidence in the winter and it seems like they can be had for cheaper. I understand the Escape comes with more features on the Limited, but we really want to keep the price around $25k. We will visit the local Ford dealer and see what he is willing to do. Just to tell you guys now we didn't sit in or drive either vehicle yet. I have come to this website just to see what you guys think of the Escape so I can get an idea if the Escape is right for me and my family. Thanks for your time.

 

[GenX]

hello PA welcome to our city :welcome:
check these links , you may find it helpful
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/escape/2009/consumerreview.html
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/escape/2009/review.html

 

[Squishy]

I think your choice depends on what you want in a vehicle. The Jeep is more capable off-road and likely has better aftermarket support. The Escape has a more car-like ride, but the unibody construction and FWD-based layout means you can't lift it much and can't venture too far off-road. The AWD Escape is unstoppable in the snow even with no locking differential, but the Jeep is probably just as capable. So, if all you need to do is go through snow, both vehicles fit the bill. If you want to go into mud fields or climb on rocks, the Jeep will be better. If you want a softer and more car-like ride, the Escape will be better.

The stock tires on the Escape are horrible in the snow. If your snow is heavy enough to need AWD/4WD, I strongly recommend winter tires.

 

[Ajax]

I haven't driven a Patriot, but I did rent a Dodge Caliber which is supposed to be the same platform. My Escape seemed to be signifigantly larger than the Caliber. I did like the Caliber, it was AWD but I drove it in the summer so no impression of the AWD. I believe the Patriot/ Caliber AWD is similar to the Escapes, due to their basic front-wheel-drive design.

Make sure you check both vehicles within a day or two of each other, because the dealer will be offering discounts on both so you can get an accurate price quote. Good luck!

 

[jonas1022]

Beware! The Patriot is out of production. Buy it only if you get about 30% off sticker for an on the street price, and you are willing to keep it forever. Because no one else will want it once they find out it isn't produced. Typical Orphan car.

 

[Escape-PA-]

hello PA welcome to our city :welcome:
check these links , you may find it helpful
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/escape/2009/consumerreview.html
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/escape/2009/review.html

Thanks GenX, I will read those reviews.

 

[Escape-PA-]

I think your choice depends on what you want in a vehicle. The Jeep is more capable off-road and likely has better aftermarket support. The Escape has a more car-like ride, but the unibody construction and FWD-based layout means you can't lift it much and can't venture too far off-road. The AWD Escape is unstoppable in the snow even with no locking differential, but the Jeep is probably just as capable. So, if all you need to do is go through snow, both vehicles fit the bill. If you want to go into mud fields or climb on rocks, the Jeep will be better. If you want a softer and more car-like ride, the Escape will be better.

The stock tires on the Escape are horrible in the snow. If your snow is heavy enough to need AWD/4WD, I strongly recommend winter tires.

Oh I have no plans on off roading with either vehicle. We just need a vehicle that is very capable in the snow, and is easy on fuel. We are considering snow tires but if possible we would like to stick with all seasons, sometimes we get snow storms that dump 1 foot of snow. We require that the Escape can get through snow like that. Thanks for responding.

 

[Escape-PA-]

I haven't driven a Patriot, but I did rent a Dodge Caliber which is supposed to be the same platform. My Escape seemed to be signifigantly larger than the Caliber. I did like the Caliber, it was AWD but I drove it in the summer so no impression of the AWD. I believe the Patriot/ Caliber AWD is similar to the Escapes, due to their basic front-wheel-drive design.

Make sure you check both vehicles within a day or two of each other, because the dealer will be offering discounts on both so you can get an accurate price quote. Good luck!

Hello Ajax, yes I was aware that the Patriot shares the same platform as the Caliber but according to the Patriot owners thats where the similarities end. It supposedly much more roomier, and capable than the Caliber. Like you said I will need to see what kind of deals they have on each vehicle, we are waiting until the 4th of July so we can get some serious rebates.

 

[Escape-PA-]

Beware! The Patriot is out of production. Buy it only if you get about 30% off sticker for an on the street price, and you are willing to keep it forever. Because no one else will want it once they find out it isn't produced. Typical Orphan car.

Really? Are you sure? According to the Jeep website they still build the Patriot and no one on the forums told me this. I am surprised they would kill the Patriot I see more and more of them on the roads everyday. Thanks for the heads up Jonas.

 

[jonas1022]

Beware! The Patriot is out of production. Buy it only if you get about 30% off sticker for an on the street price, and you are willing to keep it forever. Because no one else will want it once they find out it isn't produced. Typical Orphan car.

Really? Are you sure? According to the Jeep website they still build the Patriot and no one on the forums told me this. I am surprised they would kill the Patriot I see more and more of them on the roads everyday. Thanks for the heads up Jonas.

Also being killed is the Chrysler Aspen (Dodge Durango), Chrysler PT convertible for now and soon the sedan at the end of the model year, maybe the Dakota pickup, Crossfire, Sebring is being replaced with another model, Sebring Convertible is dead at the end of the MY... Jeep Compass is also being considered for termination.

I think they are doing anything they can to stay in business, even if means giving up on their base models across the board...

 

[Escape-PA-]

Beware! The Patriot is out of production. Buy it only if you get about 30% off sticker for an on the street price, and you are willing to keep it forever. Because no one else will want it once they find out it isn't produced. Typical Orphan car.

Really? Are you sure? According to the Jeep website they still build the Patriot and no one on the forums told me this. I am surprised they would kill the Patriot I see more and more of them on the roads everyday. Thanks for the heads up Jonas.

Also being killed is the Chrysler Aspen (Dodge Durango), Chrysler PT convertible for now and soon the sedan at the end of the model year, maybe the Dakota pickup, Crossfire, Sebring is being replaced with another model, Sebring Convertible is dead at the end of the MY... Jeep Compass is also being considered for termination.

I think they are doing anything they can to stay in business, even if means giving up on their base models across the board...

I knew they were going to kill a few Jeep models but I had no idea they would kill the Jeep Patriot, I thought they would just axe the Compass and Commander.

 

[weebee]

That is what I think they are doing as well. Though most of the Chysler and Dodge vehicles mentioned were not what I considered attractive cars. Either in design or price. Though I was suprised to hear the CrossFire is going. I thought that car would have done better.

 

[Squishy]

Oh I have no plans on off roading with either vehicle. We just need a vehicle that is very capable in the snow, and is easy on fuel. We are considering snow tires but if possible we would like to stick with all seasons, sometimes we get snow storms that dump 1 foot of snow. We require that the Escape can get through snow like that. Thanks for responding.

Keep in mind that no vehicle can possibly compensate for tires. 4WD Jeep or FWD Ford, they all stop the same and turn the same. 4WD only allows you to get into deeper trouble.

 

[Escape-PA-]

Oh I have no plans on off roading with either vehicle. We just need a vehicle that is very capable in the snow, and is easy on fuel. We are considering snow tires but if possible we would like to stick with all seasons, sometimes we get snow storms that dump 1 foot of snow. We require that the Escape can get through snow like that. Thanks for responding.

Keep in mind that no vehicle can possibly compensate for tires. 4WD Jeep or FWD Ford, they all stop the same and turn the same. 4WD only allows you to get into deeper trouble.

Thats why I need to know if the OEM all season tires will fit my needs or I need to spring for a better set of all season tires.

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I would also like to hear from owners on the 4 cylinder/4WD fuel economy, looking on the internet I was only able to find very few reviews.

 

[DarkScape]

I assume you're from PA with your name being Escape-PA and all. Where abouts in PA are you located. I am in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area myself!

Haha also I just noticed you must really really love America!! You joined on Sept. 11th, you are wanting to buy a car called the Patriot, and are probably going to wait until Independence Day to buy it! :clap:

 

[Escape-PA-]

I assume you're from PA with your name being Escape-PA and all. Where abouts in PA are you located. I am in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area myself!

Haha also I just noticed you must really really love America!! You joined on Sept. 11th, you are wanting to buy a car called the Patriot, and are probably going to wait until Independence Day to buy it! :clap:

Yes I am from that area. I live in a town near Hawley, thats a town 10 miles west from Milford. You're right I did join on Sept 11, that wasn't by design. However this time I decided to shop American vehicles since companies like Ford came so far in quality/reliability/design/usefulness/desirability and my money is better served staying in this country especially during these times. Anyway our out going Honda had less than expected Reliability, it was decent but not as great as the media makes it out to be. We plan on buying during the 4th of July due to the amazing sales they have, back in 2005 for example we got a great laptop for $400 less than normal.

Thats very clever that you picked up on that, I didn't even see it. :thumb:

So what are your thoughts on the Escape and Patriot?

 

[weebee]

Thats why I need to know if the OEM all season tires will fit my needs or I need to spring for a better set of all season tires.

They are barely adequate summer tires as far as I'm concerned. I have a set of Cooper ATR's on a set of Escape rims that do very good in the winter. In the summer I put the Conti's back on. I'm in upstate NY and our winters are the same as your's.
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I would also like to hear from owners on the 4 cylinder/4WD fuel economy, looking on the internet I was only able to find very few reviews.[/quote]

Can't help you there, you made it clear you were not interested in Hybrids. May I ask why?

 

[Escape-PA-]

They are barely adequate summer tires as far as I'm concerned. I have a set of Cooper ATR's on a set of Escape rims that do very good in the winter. In the summer I put the Conti's back on. I'm in upstate NY and our winters are the same as your's.

Can't help you there, you made it clear you were not interested in Hybrids. May I ask why?

Ok so you need to use snow tires in the winter.

So does that mean the 4 cylinder/4WD is not fuel efficient? I am not interested in the hybrid for two reasons, price and availability. If the 4 cylinder/4WD is not fuel efficient we will stick with the Patriot.

 

[Squishy]

The numbers for the 2.3 L that I have seen here have been about 23 MPG city and 27 MPG highway.

 

[Escape-PA-]

The numbers for the 2.3 L that I have seen here have been about 23 MPG city and 27 MPG highway.

Well I plan on buying a 2009, I believe they use the 2.5L 4 cylinder engine. Also I plan on having 4WD.