Overview & Reviews

The 2005 Ford Escape gets a freshened look and some new mechanicals. Last year's base 2.0-liter engine is replaced by a new 153-horsepower, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that's available with either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. This new engine is a more viable choice for budget-conscious buyers, and like the V6, it can be matched with a new electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. Meanwhile, the V6 engine has been tweaked to provide improved throttle response. Antilock brakes are now standard across the line. Interior updates include a floor-mounted shifter, new gauges, upgraded seats and additional storage. The most significant improvement inside is the addition of the optional Safety Canopy rollover protection system. Further, the vehicle's structure has been modified to better absorb offset frontal impacts, and the backseat gets a full set of three-point belts. On the outside, all Escapes have reworked front and rear fascias with a new grille design and headlights. Finally, an XLT Sport model joins the lineup.

• Powerful V6, quick and efficient hybrid model, large cargo capacity, comfortable interior, carlike handling, optional side curtain airbags.

• Four-cylinder models feel unrefined at high rpm, so-so interior materials quality.

User Reviews:

Showing 161 through 170 of 391.00

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  Ford Escape Hybrid Delivers - 2005 Ford Escape
  By YesterdayWhen - September 12 - 4:56 am

  The Ford Escape Hybrid is a gem. It has exceptional power when needed and incredible responsiveness to the touch of the wheel. The Ford Escape hybrid just won the North American Truck of the year award in Jan. of 2005. If you drive one you will know why. The Ford Escape Hybrid is my favorite lifetime vehicle purchase to date. Ford went above and beyond to build this hybrid. It is a great feeling to have a SUV with good looks, one that is clean, with a super tax rebate at the end of the purchase year, that is actually using no petrol while crawling through traffic next to that monster gas guzzler and knowing that when you need to accelerate, the Ford Escape Hybrid will deliver!

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  great Escape - 2005 Ford Escape
  By marosavage - August 27 - 6:00 pm

  Fun suv great mileage and reliable transportation.

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  Road noise only issue - 2005 Ford Escape
  By YoYo - August 15 - 6:27 pm

  After 2 years of use and 45000 miles, mostly highway, my only complaint is the deafening interior noise is.

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  Love it but room for a few improvements! - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Mary B. - August 10 - 1:57 pm

  Fun to drive! My first SUV purchase after doing a lot of searching. Ive not had a chance to try it out in snow yet, but like the AWD feature, one of the selling points. I prefer the exterior lines of the Limited as opposed to the XLT or XLS. I dont care for that black/grey molding around those models. I think it detracts from the overall look of the Escape.

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  Decent SUV - 2005 Ford Escape
  By renogirl - July 29 - 12:41 pm

  Bought brand new....had in shop in first month, A/C had no coolant in it (factory error). At one year, serpentine belt broke, lost all power. One month later, CDs jammed in CD player and had to ship off stereo to be fixed. Took an entire month to get my CDs back from dealer. LOVE the Escape minus this problems. More irritated with dealer. Could improve gas mileage. Love the safety of side airbags.

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  Great ride - 2005 Ford Escape
  By ccpayton - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I love my new escape. It rides and looks great. I wish the gas milage was alittle better especially with the price of gas. I looked at all small SUVs and felt the escape was the best out there.

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  Ford Escape - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Mac110m - July 4 - 7:58 am

  Drives very nice .Good on long trips. Smart 4 wheel drive system works really good. Just love the whole SUV!

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  Research before buying - 2005 Ford Escape
  By What Savings??? - June 26 - 11:23 am

  I purchased the Ford Hybrid without doing much research. I read the ads and believed them. My experience with driving the vechicle is far from the ads. The Hybrid I drive gets only 23 mpg average as opposed to the listed 33 to 29 on the sticker. My 93 Ford Explorer gets that kind of mileage, so I dont think it is my driving that is making the difference. In my opinion the design of the accelerator is the problem. The engine comes on when you accelerate too fast (they say). I accelerate at a creep (holding up traffic) and the engine comes on at 15 mph. The engine comes on if you turn on the AC or heater even more often than normal. With that, it is impossible to save gas, even in town.

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  Excellent value, pleasant surprise - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Bridget - June 26 - 11:14 am

  I leased this vehicle about two years ago, very skeptical of Fords build quality (coming off of a Subaru lease and before that a VW lease... both of which were plagued with crazy never ending mechanical and fit/finish problems). However, I was interested in going into a small SUV and this one seemed to be getting good reviews and I was able to get the upgrades I was interested in without paying through the nose. Now, two years later, I have to say my opinion of Ford vehicles has totally changed. This has been the most trouble-free vehicle Ive owned in years, and it still looks nearly new inside. Mechanically, its been flawless. And its also been kind of fun (surprisingly) to drive.

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  Cheap new car - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Cindy - June 22 - 5:42 pm

  Initially, I really liked my 05 Escape. 20,000 miles later, I cant wait to get rid of it. There are lots of noises a car only a year old shouldnt make. The steering wheel and brake pedal whistle, the windows rattle, gas tank has air in it, making it next to impossible to get a full tank of gas. The drivers side window makes a screeching noise when you roll it down. Gas mileage is terrible! I like the size and style just fine. It is cheaply made. Noisy. I drove a 15 year old Honda that was not as noisy as this new car. I owe more than the car is worth at the moment, so I am stuck with it or face losing thousands. No more Fords for me.