Spend some time in a crossover SUV, and it becomes crystal clear why so many people buy them. They’re roomy inside, and because they sit taller than a typical car, the seating positions are more comfortable and the view out is better. Driving a crossover SUV is more like piloting a car than a truck, and since crossovers are lighter than traditional SUVs they typically get better gas mileage. Finally, with optional all-wheel drive, a crossover SUV offers greater traction in dirt and snow, and thanks to their boxy profile and folding rear seats, they can carry a whole bunch of whatever you’ve got.
Indeed, the crossover SUV is the modern family station wagon, but without the fake wood siding.
The good news for crossover SUV buyers is that five new or redesigned models debuted at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, ranging from frisky and fuel-efficient to luxurious and sophisticated. We give you all the details in the pages that follow, with the SUVs listed in alphabetical order. And don't miss our other lists from the L.A. Auto Show, either.
Read: 5 Fun, Fast and Affordable Cars from the L.A. Auto Show
Read: 10 Coolest Cars of the 2011 L.A. Auto Show
Read: 7 Cool Concept Cars from the 2011 L.A. Auto Show
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2013 Ford Escape
Believe it or not, the 2013 Ford Escape represents the first complete redesign for the model since it went on sale at the turn of the century. The wait was long, but evidently worth it because the new Escape appears to be an impressive piece of work.
Adopting the same styling themes as the Ford Fiesta and Focus, elements of the new Escape’s design border on overwrought. But, when taken as a whole, the new SUV manages to come across as modern and stylish, definitely not dull. Ford will allow Escape buyers to pinch pennies and buy a basic model, or splurge on luxury and technology amenities.
Chief among the Escape’s technology features are Ford’s MyKey programmable feature system, its Sync hands-free connectivity system, and a simpler next-generation version of the MyFord Touch navigation, entertainment, and smartphone integration system. The Escape will also be available with a blind-spot monitoring system, a cross-traffic alert system, and an active park assist system that steers the Escape into a parallel parking space while the driver operates the steering, brakes, and accelerator.
Another feature people are sure to like is the new optional hands-free liftgate, which raises with a wave of your foot underneath the rear bumper and is designed for when you’re approaching the vehicle with an armload of packages. Speaking of cargo, the new Escape provides 34.3 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat and 68.1 cu-ft with the rear seat folded down. The towing rating is 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.
Ford will offer three different engines in the new 2013 Escape. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but buyers can upgrade to a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or a 2.0-liter turbo four. Horsepower and torque figures have not been finalized, but the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine makes as much as 250 horsepower and a fat wad of torque spread across a wide rev range in other applications, so it should prove plenty muscular for the new Escape. A six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission delivers the power to the front or, as an option, all four wheels. Powertrain technologies include a new Intelligent 4WD system, a Curve Control system that automatically applies the brakes to keep the Escape under control, and a Torque Vectoring Control system that helps the Escape accelerate out of corners.
Clearly, Ford has made a big investment in the all-new 2013 Escape. Based on what we saw in Los Angeles, it looks like it will pay off handsomely.
Read: 2012 Ford Escape Review
