I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to test a few Ford vehicles: The Ford Explorer and the 2012 Ford Edge. On top of that I have attended Ford media events and talked to the experts behind the cars and the company. Ford sure has come a long way.
The 2013 Ford Escape is a familiar shape and sized vehicle if you are used to seeing Honda’s CRV and Toyota’s RAV 4’s on the road. It is smaller and sportier than the Edge. But still has load of cargo space and leg room. No complaints from the cheering section in the back apart from the seats being a bit too firm and when I had an adult in the back she said the seat belt kept retracting, leaving her feeling a bit strangled. Space wise with two kids and a car seat, it was fine.
I have to admit, I really enjoy driving Ford vehicles, and it is for reasons that other people will probably NOT enjoy it. Ford makes you very aware of all their safety features and hands free abilities, wherein other cars take on a more subtle approach. When I am driving a Ford, I feel like it is constantly communicating back to me about my surroundings (BLIS Blind Spot Information System and Rear View Camera), my driving (Curve Control, and Torque Vectoring Control) and my parking abilities (Park Assist). I feel like the car is really trying hard to make my drive as easy and safe as possible. I am very aware of it.
Like their other models, I think Ford cars have to be driven to be understood and enjoyed. I don’t think my passengers fully understand my enthusiasm, as yes, the seats in the Escape felt harder than they should. Especially when we were testing their Titanium edition. For a vehicle coming in at around $44000, I was softer seats.
But speaking of the Titanium edition, this Ford Edge gives you the ability to ‘kick’ open the rear hatch or liftgate. For idiots like myself this was more of a challenge than it should have been. You should have seen the look the family got as we were all standing around the back of the car, waiving or kicking underneath it. But it does work, and like the commercials infer, is great for busy hands. Yes, this is a mom friendly vehicle.
I love keyless cars. I love that once I unlock a car I can stuff the key fob in my pocket and or purse and then focus on the joys of getting 3 year olds into car seats and or getting dogs or groceries in or out of the back of the car. I am honestly taken aback now when I test a newer vehicle that hasn’t switched to keyless.
Our version had a 2.0 litre EcoBoost engine. Now I don’t know a lot of about engines. This one had plenty of oomph and managed hills, freeway and city driving just fine, but I was honestly not seeing the ‘eco’ in it if that meant gas mileage. Granted, we did head to Langley twice with the car in one week, but I felt it walloped its way through a tank of gas, perhaps more than other vehicles of this size I have tried. But it did it well and got me there in style and with little interior noise or vibration.
All in all, I enjoyed my week in the Edge. I think I may still prefer the bigger Ford’s, and would love to try out the Flex and the Expedition. But for a family and city friendly vehicle, I would recommend the Ford Escape.
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