Overview & Reviews

The Escape is Ford's new SUV. Smaller in size than the Explorer (and dwarfed by an Excursion), the 2001 Ford Escape competes in the same class as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Its main calling cards are an optional V6 engine and a large interior.

• Strong V6 engine, plenty of interior space, car-like road manners.

• Lacks the off-road capability of a truck-based SUV, barely adequate base engine, unknown reliability.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 161.00

• 

  217k and still going - 2001 Ford Escape
  By JCR - November 29 - 8:38 pm

  3.0 V6 XLT. Bought it new with leather and towing pkg. Has 3500 lbs towing capacity which was best in class then. Still getting 20 mpg city and 25-27 mpg hwy. Great suv even by todays standards. Heard some horror stories with the transmissions on this vehicles I serviced my transmission every 50k no problem!

• 

  234,000 miles and still going strong! - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Sarah - August 30 - 7:57 am

  My Escape has run like a dream since day one. I live on 3 miles of dirt road and use the 4 wheel drive several times per year. Ive never gotten stuck. The engine runs smoothly and it really is fun to drive. Road noise is a little much, and seats are hard as well. Im gonna keep it til it dies, so far so good.

• 

  Killer Hotboxer - 2001 Ford Escape
  By nick152 - May 29 - 5:09 pm

  Decent car that gets you from A to B. There are better options in the same price range but this car is fine. Great car to light it up in.

• 

  Awesome - 2001 Ford Escape
  By BC Prosser - October 24 - 2:00 am

  Owned this escape since 2001 when it had 0 miles. It now has 235,000 and is still going. Never had any problems, original engine, transmission, clutch, and everything. New front struts/tie rods and brakes at 190k. Replaced the in-dash stereo, but left the speakers, they sound as good as the Bose speakers in our 2007 yukon denali. Vehicle drives great in all conditions, and still looks like new when its clean. The Escape has never let me down, and i hope to rely on it for years to come.

• 

  Tough little truck - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Cindy williams - September 21 - 2:00 am

  Right now I have 202,000 miles on my 2001 Escape. I bought it used a year ago. It is a 4 cylinder stick shift. Fuel mileage is pretty good, ride and handling are good, and reliability is great. Plenty of interior room and comfortable. Handles well in snow and driving around the farm. I bought it as a work vehicle and it has been great. The engine is what I like best. This is the first stick shift I have owned and learning has been very easy. The engine has plenty of power, to my surprise it can actually burn rubber quite easily! The only times I have had trouble in the snow are when it needed new tires and when I try to start up too hard the front tires spin, but its fun.

• 

  Great Ride! - 2001 Ford Escape
  By RobinM - January 23 - 7:36 pm

  Love the Escape. I will buy another one if this one gives out. I have had very little trouble. Take care of it and it will last. My only complant can be tricky to work on. Have to remove air intake to replace spark plugs. Have to remove exhaust to replace oil pan gasket. Drive belt hard to get to with the side engine.

• 

  Great SUV - 2001 Ford Escape
  By jessibarn - July 23 - 12:50 am

  Just bought my Escape a week ago and I LOVE it! Luckily it was well taken care of so Ive got no problems. Proz: Decent mpg for SUV, Looks sharp in/out, turns well, easy to manuever, and drives great. Cons: Sunroof slow to open now, set up of shifter, igniton, and windshield wipers is tricky. Needs rear air vents other than the floor. I moved from a Corolla and I feel safe and secure driving it. So far I am very happy.

• 

  Excellent - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Tessy18 - March 17 - 10:00 am

  I have the 4 cylinder but recommend the V-6. We were going to by a Stereo system when we bought the escape however it has really surprised us. The system is almost to much too hadle at half volume. Amazing! If you like a SUV but dont want to spend too much money this is great one to buy! You do get your moneys worth!

• 

  Fun in my Escape - 2001 Ford Escape
  By wrk109 - February 7 - 2:00 am

  You should see the looks from the big dogs when I drive along in my escape. Ive never had a vehicle like this before. I can put the rod holders on the top drive on the beach, and go surf fishing, or fold down the rear seat and fill it with hunting gear and head for the mountains. I get to do this with all the comforts the Escape provides, and I still get over 20MPG. Beat that big dogs!!!

• 

  I love my Escape! - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Hanni - February 2 - 10:00 am

  My Escape is wonderful - it handles like a foreign car, looks cool, and fits all of my three golden retreivers inside with plenty of room to spare. Its comfortable on long trips, and the six-CD player is wonderful. I have a couple of small things to get fixed before my warranty expires (in 2,000 miles), but nothing even close to major repairs.