The all-new 2012 Ford Escape will be based off the Ford of Europe's Kuga. When production of the current Escape stops in 2010 production of this global platform will start in Louisville, Kentucky.
The 2012 Ford Escape likely will dump the outgoing model’s V-6 for a choice of four-cylinder engines. Should you wait for the 2012 Ford Escape or buy the 2011 Ford Escape? Wait for the 2012 Ford Escape.
The 2012 Ford Escape will ride on completely new underpinnings drawn from those of the redesigned 2012 Ford Focus compact car. The 2012 Ford Escape will continue in gasoline- and gas/electric hybrid-powered models. Ford might offer a six-speed manual transmission in the base-level, front-wheel-drive 2012 Escape as a price leader. The 2012 Ford Escape will continue to offer a gas/electric hybrid model that should again contend for top fuel-economy ratings in the compact-crossover class.
The 2012 Escape Hybrid would probably carry over the outgoing model’s powertrain. In the 2011 Ford Escape this setup was rated at 177 total horsepower. The 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid will likely also continue to use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). As with most compact crossover SUVs, the 2012 Ford Escape will be suited to light-duty towing. The 2012 Ford Escape should also boast the latest in infotainment hardware and software. All Escapes will continue to come with Ford’s Easy Fuel capless fuel-filler system. A base-model front-wheel-drive 2012 Ford Escape with a manual transmission will be priced from around $22,000 with manual transmission and $23,200 with automatic transmission.
Estimated base price for the 2012 Ford Escape XLT is $26,000. Expect the 2012 Escape Limited to start around $33,000. The 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid should meet or beat 2011 version’s ratings of 34/31 mpg with front-wheel drive and 30/27 with AWD.
For 2012, the Ford Escape sees no changes of note. The 2012 Ford Escape is a compact crossover that seats five people. The standard Escape is available in XLS, XLT and Limited trim levels. The Ford Escape Hybrid comes in base and Limited trims.
The Limited adds different 16-inch wheels, chrome exterior highlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, Sync and a six-speaker sound system. The base Escape Hybrid's standard features list is similar to that of the regular Escape XLT but does include a few extras such as dual-zone automatic climate control and the Sync system. The Escape Hybrid Limited adds chrome exterior accents, a sunroof, rear parking assist, a rearview camera (with rearview mirror-mounted display), leather upholstery, heated front seats and mirrors and multicolor ambient lighting.
As with the regular Escape, the Hybrid offers a navigation system, a premium audio system and, on the Limited, automatic parallel-parking assist as options.
All trim levels of the non-hybrid 2012 Ford Escape can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. Properly equipped, the Escape V6 can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The Escape's fuel economy with the four-cylinder, six-speed auto and front-wheel drive is 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. The front-wheel-drive six-cylinder Escape returns an estimated 19/25/21 mpg, while all-wheel drive gets 18/23/20 mpg. EPA estimates for fuel economy put the front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid at the top of the hybrid SUV category with 34 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 32 mpg in combined driving. Antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length curtain-type airbags are all standard on the 2012 Ford Escape.