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 21 through 30 of 391.00

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  Very Dependable! - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Fred Reno - January 29 - 10:14 pm

  165,600 miles with original brakes, shocks, clutch, and battery. This has been the most dependable car I have ever owned.....it drives as good as the day I bought it.

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  Time to get rid of - 2005 Ford Escape
  By ejbjb - January 18 - 11:25 pm

  Love my Escape. 2 problems...brake routers warp and need turning or replacement frequently. 121000km and the engine has died. Will replace with a newer Escape. Reliable, great cargo hauling, good basic transportation.

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  9 months in on 2005 V6 2wd - 2005 Ford Escape
  By invictarocks - January 3 - 8:27 pm

  I bought this car after a lot of research on Subaru Forrester, RAV4, Honda CRV and the Escape. I did some test drives, and the Forrester was the fastest and funnest, but a little small, and my buying decision came right after a bad experience with a Subaru dealership. The RAV4 seat was unbearable in the "fold down, kicking back" position, and sitting on the back with the hatch up was designed OUT of the model years I was looking at. I didnt like the way the RAV4 looked driving down the road from behind, as the rear suspension didnt inspire much confidence. I LOVE my Escape, and its styling. The gas mileage was a little disappointing at 20.

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  great so far....just got it a month ago - 2005 Ford Escape
  By lotekgirl - December 14 - 12:59 pm

  I just traded in my 01 Intrepid for this 05 Escape. So far my husband and I are very pleased with it. This vehicle is great if you are looking to step up to your first SUV from a car. The Escape is very responsive it drives and handles great. I agree with other reviewers about filling the gas tank: it is annoying because you cant just put the nozzle in, lock it in place and walk away. It always clicks off a few seconds later so I have to stand there and hold it, which I never had to do with my car. The gas mileage on the v6 isnt that great. Im constantly filling my gas tank (city driving about 90% of the time). the ignition could have been more well placed (odd spot, have to search).

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  One Year Later - 2005 Ford Escape
  By AdirondackTrek - December 8 - 1:53 am

  After almost one year of driving this great little SUV Im as happy now as when it was first purchased. More than enough power with the 4 cylinder automatic if you drive sensibly and average gas mileage is around 23 MPG. Highest MPG on a trip was 28.5 which I think is good for an SUV of any size. As far as handling, it is crisp and stable enough that we were able to avoid being hit by someone who wasnt paying attention by doing a rather radical swerve that convinced me some of the stability issues brought up are unfounded. It is a safe, fun vehicle to drive that has caused no problems and was a pleasure to drive on our sometimes unplowed winter roads during the last year. Cargo space galore.

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  Newest Gadget! - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Marci - November 26 - 7:10 am

  I desperately needed a new car last year. Im fortunate in that I can afford anything non "exotic." NOTHING on the market appealed to me visually. When I heard that Ford and Lexus were making hybrid SUVs I was interested. Last summer, I first test drove a Lexus 330 as it was the most similar thing they had to the delayed 400H -- lovely to look at but ergonomically it was VERY uncomfortable. The Escape is much more functional, and WAAAAY too basic on the interior, but was more comfortable, so I bought it. The CVT is fun; sort of a crossbreed. The brakes were hard to get used to; the stopping distance is further. The interior is CHEAP! Not even clothing hooks for dry-cleaning pick-ups.

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  Great SUV - 2005 Ford Escape
  By bjinak - November 11 - 10:00 am

  This is our second Ford Escape, our 2001 Escape was totalled by a drunk driver. The changes, inside and out, for the 2005 Escape are wonderful. A great buy for what you get! Great acceleration, comfortable, We love our Escape.

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  Keeps Working Hard - 2005 Ford Escape
  By WNYFordGuy - October 28 - 3:13 pm

  Bought new Apr 05, this is my wifes daily driver. It has 70k miles, and runs like new again after repairing damage to the front susp (wheel bearings and sway bar links) caused by the harsh upstate WNY roads at 58k. I was disappointed that the Uni joints failed shortly afterwards (61k), along w/ the rear wiper (63k), and ABS sensors and rear shocks (67k) - $$$! But its great in the snow, and gets pretty good gas mileage w/ the 2.3L 4 cyl 5-spd manual. Replaced the orig General tires w/ Goodyear Fortera SilentArmors at 41k, though I probably could have gotten 4k-10k more out of the Generals (which werent anywhere near as bad/noisy as the reviewers claim the Continental Contitracs are)

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  A Welcome Escape - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Rod Minnesota - October 15 - 7:43 pm

  As of October 2009, my wife has 153,000 miles on her 2005 Escape. She loves the vehicle and I appreciate its relatively low cost of ownership. Only repair that we have had has been two door latches replaced - not sure why they are plastic.

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  #1 SUV - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Red Escape - September 30 - 10:00 am

  This has been the all around best car. I do not have to worry about going out of town and having any problems with it, or waking up and it not starting. I know that this will be like every other Ford that my family has owned, a 200,000 mile+ car.