2013 Ford Escape

2013 Ford Escape

Episode 3140
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

The Ford Escape may not have been the first compact crossover, but it is a best seller with over 2 million hitting the streets over the last 12 years. The Escape’s success is a key reason that smaller crossovers have become one of the industry’s largest marketing segments, and also one of the most competitive.  So, what can an all new Ford Escape bring to the party? Well, let’s find out.

 The 2013 Ford Escape is a big departure from its former old school boxy styling. This now very dynamic and swoopy looking CUV has far more in common with the Focus compact car than other Ford utilities, which is fitting since it does share the Focus’ C-platform. 

This new global design is totally contemporary. It is wider, longer, and lower than its predecessor with a wheelbase stretched to 105.9-inches. That’s more than a Honda CR-V although Escape is slightly shorter overall. 17-inch steel wheels are standard, but 18 and 19-inch alloys are available, as are HID-headlights, a rarity in its class. Fenders are overstated and the sharp lines and aggressive front end give the Escape a look that’s more sporty than utilitarian. It’s all grilles and air intakes up front, with active grille shutters on some models. The rear gets highlighted by large, angular tail lamps with “aero-flashes,” a small hatch-mounted spoiler, and lower cladding with dual exhaust tips. A large, panoramic sunroof is optional.

Ford continues to please with the overall design, functionality, and fit and finish of their interiors. The Escape’s standard cloth seats are as comfortable as any in the segment. The Ice Blue Gauges are a funky arrangement with big exposed pods and a large, center info screen. SE’s are equipped with Ford SYNC voice activation and a 4-inch color screen mounted high in the center stack. SE Radio controls are as confusing as in the Focus. The SEL adds the updated MyFord Touch with Sony’s soft touch stereo system optional. Step up to Titanium trim and you’ll get premium leather seating and Remote Start, as well as Ford’s new hands-free power lift gate and it works very well provided you have the key in your pocket as you sweep your foot under the rear bumper. Even base models include steering wheel controls for cruise and audio, and a full complement of airbags are standard, including a driver’s knee airbag.  

Rear seat room is good for a compact crossover, and seats are comfortable enough to keep “are we there, yet?” complaints from the little ones at bay. Cargo space also fairs well at 34.3 cubic-feet. The 60/40 seat backs recline for comfort and fold for max cargo of 68.1 cubic-feet. That’s just shy of the CR-V.

We spent most of our time driving the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost I4 and came away very impressed. It’s peppy off the line and there’s plenty of reserve power for merging and passing, though it does require your foot to the floor and a downshift or two.  Output is 178-horsepower and 184 pound feet of torque, aided by direct injection and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing. A carryover 168-horsepower 2.5-liter I4 and the Explorer’s 240-horsepower 2-liter EcoBoost are also available, with the later towing 3,500 pounds. Transmissions are all 6-speed automatics with manual shift and regardless of which powertrain you choose, you’ll get 30 miles-per-gallon or better on the highway. A front-drive 1.6-liter EcoBoost has the best Government Fuel Economy Ratings at 23-City and 33-Highway. The highway number beats last year’s Escape Hybrid.

Through the back roads north of San Francisco, California, the Escape felt much more car-like than the previous model. While not exactly nimble, roll is subdued thanks to both front and rear stabilizer bars and the strut front and multi-link rear suspension is more than willing. We also give Ford high praise for an incredibly quiet cabin. The Electric Power Steering feels similar to other Ford products, with good, linear action and on-center feel, while the transmission shifts smoothly.

The available intelligent all-wheel-drive system can preemptively send up to 100% of torque to the rear wheels. Working in conjunction with Torque Vectoring Control and Curve Control, it helps improve handling on dry pavement, as well as keep you out of trouble on slick roads. 

The 2013 Escape is an excellent overall package. It handles nicely, is fairly comfortable, and gets great fuel mileage; plus you’ve got a wide range of choices when it comes to power-trains. So, you can choose whichever Escape best fits your needs or budget. And, you will have to budget wisely to put an Escape in your garage. While pricing starts at $23,295, it can quickly climb to $31,195 for the fully loaded Titanium. No party is complete without that one guy who always shows up the best dressed, is smarter than everyone else, and just happens to be good at everything as well. The 2013 Ford Escape is that guy. It may just be one of many well executed small crossovers to arrive over the last year, but it’s clearly shot to the front row of the class. And, we think it will stay there a while.

 

Specifications

  • Engine: 1.6-liter EcoBoost I4
  • Horsepower: 178
  • Torque: 184 lb-ft.
  • EPA: 23 mpg city/ 33 mpg highway
Honda Prologue Reinvigorates Brand’s Electric Efforts

2024 Honda Prologue

Honda Shows Up Late To EV Party, Brings Best Appetizer

Episode 4329
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Except for some very limited run vehicles over the years, Honda has largely been sitting out the EV revolution. But that all changes now their first high volume effort, the Prologue. So, let’s find out if it is indeed the start of a great run for Honda.

The 2024 Honda Prologue is not only the brand’s first serious battery electric effort, but it’s also a substantial midsize five-passenger SUV, coming in about 3-inches longer than the internal combustion Passport. Though it’s worth noting, they got here with the help of General Motors and their Ultium EV platform.

So, Honda came to play, both with ultra-competitive pricing and segment leading 296 miles of range. That’s with the standard single-motor front-wheel drive EX rated for 212 horsepower, but top Elite doesn’t sacrifice all that much, coming in at 273 miles. The additional rear motor raises total output to 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft torque.

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Relatively low output numbers in the EV game, but the Elite’s all-wheel drive setup delivered plenty enough acceleration to get our blood pumping during some early and very wet drive time through the recent historic downpours in Northern California.

And while Honda did get here with the help of GM and their Ultium chassis, the multi-link suspension bolted to it has been optimized by Honda for a “dynamic driving experience.” It was indeed plenty of fun to drive, nimble for its size with responsive steering, though we were also happy to find it comfortable and safe feeling in those weather conditions. It also has great visibility and a very natural feel to it that quickly has you forgetting you’re in an EV.

Comprehensive drive modes address just about every aspect of the driving experience, from power delivery to steering response and even braking power; but also changes things up inside with lighting and displays as well as active sound control.

For now, all Prologues come with an 85-kWh battery that will accept up to 150-kW fast charging for 65 miles of range for every 10 minutes on charge.

It also has great visibility and a very natural feel to it that quickly has you forgetting you’re in an EV.

As we’ve come to expect from Honda, the Prologue’s interior is minimalistic and practical, though not fully simplistic as there is plenty of tech on display, including the very high-mounted 11.3-inch touchscreen display. It has a Google-based operating system built into it like in the latest Accord Touring, and you can still use your Apple Carplay and Android Auto phones, both of which connect wirelessly.

Just below that display is some refreshingly easy to use traditional climate controls, and behind the steering wheel is a hoodless 11-inch tablet-style gauge display. Honda worked with Bose to develop an EV-specific sound system with 12 speakers. The standard EX’s system works with six speakers.

Being an EV means more space inside for both front and rear passengers than a vehicle built around a conventional drivetrain. Though with a substantial dual-level center console it doesn’t have the open floorplan of some EVs. The top layer of that console houses dedicated cell phone storage, mega-sized cupholders and Honda’s first use of a pocket-type wireless phone charger, which is standard. There’s space in back for 23.7 cubic-feet of cargo; 54.5 cubic-feet with the 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded; plus, more space under the cargo floor.

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And while length and ground clearance are in the ballpark with the Passport, the Prologue’s wheelbase is nearly a foot longer, and it sits much lower, with a design theme that Honda calls “neo-rugged.” Its slick shape and smooth body panels are clearly designed for enhancing aerodynamics, yet the overall design doesn’t necessarily shout it from the rooftops. Aero-optimized 19-inch wheels are standard, with Elite rolling on 21s, a first for Honda. Roof rails, panoramic roof, and power liftgate are standard on all but the base EX.
With the launch of this new generation of Honda comes new badging that looks to the past with throwback-looking Honda script now spelled out across the back. The Prologue and future Honda EVs also get a new “e” series logo.

Comprehensive Honda Sensing safety features are included on most Prologues, with just rear pedestrian alert and a Surround Vision camera system reserved for Elite.

Pricing starts, before incentives, at just $48,795 for a front-wheel-drive EX, top Elite comes with all-wheel drive and starts at $59,295.

Like most brands, Honda has big plans to deliver a full array of battery electrics in the near future, making significant investments here in the U.S. to make it happen. It may have taken a little help from General Motors to get them started, but Honda is in the EV game for real now, and it arrives at a great time when competition in the midsize SUV EV ranks is getting serious. So, the 2024 Honda Prologue does indeed look like the start of something special for Honda, and for all of us.

Specifications

As Tested

  • Motor Setup: Dual Motor
  • Horsepower: 288
  • Range: 273 miles
  • Battery Size: 85-kWh
  • Torque: 333 lb-ft
  • Peak Charging Rate: 150-kW