2002
Ford Escape reviews and buying guide.
2002 Ford Escape review
continued...
Both
the XLS and the XLT rear seating systems can be folded
flat, for increased cargo space. The latched seat back
can be folded forward and the head restraint removed.
The rear seat cushion can also be removed, further enhancing
load-carrying capacity. The flip-up rear glass offers
easier access to the rear cargo area for small items.
Escape
provides easy-to-use interior storage. In the XLT, the
console accommodates a storage bin, and two forward
and two rear pop-out cup holders. The XLS floor console
includes five cup holders, an open storage bin and coin
holders. The center stack of the instrument panel incorporates
a storage compartment large enough to hold CD cases
or sunglasses.
The
glove box locks and each front door includes large,
deep map pockets. Open storage bins are located in the
rear quarter panel on both sides of the cargo area.
A 12-volt power point is located in the cargo area.
Audio and climate controls are located in the center
stack, with the controls logically arranged.
An
in-dash AM/FM stereo with single CD player is standard
on the XLS with the XLT adding a cassette plus six discs
CD changer.
Powertrains
The
2002 Ford Escape comes with a standard 2.0L Zetec inline
four-cylinder engine that makes 127 horsepower and 135
foot-pounds of torque. The optional 3.0L Duratec quad
cam EFI V-6 engine is good for 201 horsepower at 5,900
rpm and 196 foot-pounds of torque at 4,700 rpm with
the four-speed automatic transmission.
With
a Ford-approved tow hitch, Escape has towing capacity
of 3,500 pounds.
Ride
and handling
The
2002 Ford Escape is a versatile, compact SUV that is
responsive and utterly fun to drive. Escape combines
convenience and comfort with a unibody design for refined
passenger car-like ride and handling.
The
two-wheel drive Escape is the only Ford SUV with front-wheel
drive, which provides excellent handling, traction and
control.
The
optional full-time four-wheel drive system provides
the driver with the choice of two different settings:
4x4 Auto or 4x4 Lock. The automatic setting allows the
vehicle to determine how to apportion torque between
the front and rear wheels, while the 4x4 Lock setting
splits the torque evenly between the front and rear
drive wheels, enhancing performance when driving off-road
or in other uncertain driving conditions.
MacPherson
strut front suspension helps to isolate road forces,
while the independent rear suspension allows lower spring
rates for a smooth ride.
Safety
and Security
Ford
Escape has been designed with safety as a top priority.
Front fender reinforcement helps to direct the energy
load of frontal crash between the lower frame rail and
an upper path that goes through the roof, away from
occupants.
An
energy-absorbing steering column works with energy-absorbing
knee bolsters, located below the instrument panel, to
reduce the risk of injuries for front seat occupants.
Standard high-tensile-steel side-intrusion door beams
help to protect passengers in side impacts.
Driver
and front passenger air bags are standard. Pretensioners
combined with load limiting retractors are standard
on front seat belts. In a crash, these pretensioners
automatically take up slack in the belts, while the
load limiters are designed to reduce the risk of chest
injuries in severe collisions.
The
Ford SecuriLock Ô engine immobiliser is standard on
all Escapes. The system uses a key containing an electronically
encrypted transponder that communicates with a transceiver
unit in the ignition system. Without the proper key,
the vehicle cannot be started.
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