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 1 through 10 of 391.00

• 

  Rust Issues - 2005 Ford Escape
  By alexm80 - August 24 - 8:24 am

  We bought a 2005 Ford Escape off of craigslist knowing full well that it came with rust issues. At the time we bought it, the rust looked to be only cosmetic. But about after about 10 months, the rear right wheel well began to rust through and then rust away. Some of inner portion of the wheel well was gone and you could see the material used to line the inside of the vehicle. As a result, the rear right shock was barely hanging on and every time you hit a bump just right, there was a very loud popping sound coming from the area. Quotes to fix it were between $700 and $1600.

• 

  Its not worth it. Run away. - 2005 Ford Escape
  By ih8ford2 - July 8 - 9:17 am

  Worst purchase I have ever made in my life. Have had nothing but MAJOR problems with this car. its always one thing after another. I have owned this car for less than 5 years. After my spark plugs and coils went then it was the transmission. After that it was the catalytic converter, and after that the ABS. The final straw came last night when I was driving home from work and the alternator had apparently gone out. now Im driving 70 on the highway when all power goes out, my power steering seized up and I have to fight for my life to get this junk of crap off the road without killing anyone. Never buying a ford again. Complete and total POS.

• 

  very disappointed - 2005 Ford Escape
  By wanda harless - April 13 - 11:03 am

  I bought my Escape on 1-21-05. The check engine light came on 1-24-05. I was told to drive it. They had to order the part for the converter. Wednesday 2-2-05 I had trouble getting to work in it. There was popping and cracking noises; I thought it was catching on fire. I had it towed to the garage. I smelled something burning. When you turn to the left it seems to have jerky movement.

• 

  Not satisfied - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Joe - November 30 - 11:50 pm

  I like the style and interior design of the vehicle, however, the performance is terrible. Im almost afraid to enter highway traffic not to mention the gas mileage; it seems like as a four cylinder the use of gasoline would be terrific. I also have a six cylinder car that does better on gas. The vehicle sounds and feels like it constantly struggles.

• 

  Stay Away From 2005 Ford Escape - 2005 Ford Escape
  By txm - September 16 - 10:07 am

  The 4 cylinder engine in this car is extremely underpowered. Its especially worse in the summer when the air conditioning is on, then it becomes unsafe to drive, because when you need to accelerate, it just doesnt do anything for about 3-4 seconds and trying to accelerate when necessary would probably kill you in this vehicle. Also, the engine is very noisy, sounds like diesel engine. I have 60,000 miles on it. The fuel economy is terrible. I cant get any more than 20 mpg, not matter what I do. Stay away from this car.

• 

  This truck is Horrible! - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Mary - March 5 - 10:37 am

  I leased this Escape in May 2005 and in August began hearing a creaking noise coming from the back. This truck has been in the shop a few times for a total of 3 1/2 weeks the mount needed work. I still hear creaking from the back, the window makes noise and the door creaks. This is the noisiest truck ever and I get 15 MPG! I am so sorry that I went from Nissan to Ford.

• 

  Cheap & overpriced! - 2005 Ford Escape
  By jdevens - December 19 - 10:25 pm

  Will get you from a to b thats about it. Trading it in on the Nissan Pathfinder I should have bought. Had an 01 & 03 Pathfinder -- should have stayed with them! Have an 05 Escape with 11000 miles and I really DO NOT LIKE this vehicle. Has been reliable & exterior looks great -- everything else is cheaply made, poorly assembled -- terrible materials on the inside. Ford wonders why nobody wants their cars?

• 

  Hybrid Rip Off - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Moe - November 8 - 8:10 am

  I paid $10,000 extra for a Ford Hybrid Escape that doesnt come close to the advertised mileage. The Ford dealership doesnt want to hear from me anymore. They chose to insult me instead and say the difference in fuel economy is due to my "heavy foot". I have offered to have the dealership take my car for a month and prove to me that the Ford Escape Hybrid is capable of getting the 33 to 38 mpg that it is advertised at; however, they will not do that. Basically they have told me to pursue the lemon law. Ten thousand dollars buys a lot of gas even at todays prices.