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 41 through 50 of 391.00

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  Performance - 2005 Ford Escape
  By linda pico - March 15 - 6:26 am

  I just love the way my Ford Escape handles. I was a little disappointed that it didnt have cruise control as a standard feature; however, I am still very happy with my SUV.

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  Not bad for a FORD - 2005 Ford Escape
  By goodnewsauto.com - March 10 - 9:36 am

  I am a dealer and bought this car to get me to North Dakota from Missouri. Drives very nice. Very peppy. I am not a Ford guy, but this is not a bad little SUV. Mine has 95000K on it and seems to still be very tight. I have not had any problems with it so far. It is for sale though - only because I need money!

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  Great little SUV - 2005 Ford Escape
  By WHE - December 7 - 4:16 am

  Taut ride but very stable and handles beautifully. Drives more like a car than a truck. Peppy, powerful and quiet engine. Strong brakes. Very comfortable and roomy with numerous power-assists. Good driver visibility with well-designed console and smooth, straight-through floor shift. Adequate storage space. Solid body with no rattles or excessive wind noise. Overall an excellent, great-looking vehicle inside and out.

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  After Careful Research - 2005 Ford Escape
  By TLee - December 3 - 9:13 am

  Fun car to drive that drives like a car and not like an SUV. Much more fun to drive than the wobbly RAV-4. With the employee discount price it is hard to pass the deal up. I looked at Japanese cars mainly for the reliability but I believe the the American cars tend to be more innovative and quality has gone up. I hope to take this car for 100,000 plus miles. I look forward to driving this car home and with a piece of mind that after thorough research, this car is probably going to last long.

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  2005 Ford Escape - 2005 Ford Escape
  By Glenn Flesher - November 2 - 4:06 pm

  Perfect vehicle for retired couple. Really fun to drive. Easy to park, lots of pep. Just wish the gas tank was larger.

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  not for off road - 2005 Ford Escape
  By ZACK - October 28 - 10:56 am

  i took my Escape to the ranch and the road was, as usual, muddy and thick. It performed great, but it seemed to slow down further when I took it out to test it with water... it almost failed me. It slowed down dramatically and it just about let me down. It still works; I rely on it on road with little bit of a puddle ... it still scares me to take against natures worst.

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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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  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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  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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  Hbrid Review - 2005 Ford Escape
  By anthony santoro - June 13 - 12:03 am

  Overall good buy. 4 cylinder hybrid is very sluggish on start ups. Other than that, so far, no problems.