2007 Ford Escape Overview Change Vehicle

This 2007 Ford Escape overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2007 Ford Escape, and includes Ford Escape safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

Minor updates are in store for the 2007 Ford Escape lineup. Evidently, gray plastic trim is out, because a new XLT Appearance Package provides silver bumpers and body trim and the XLT Sport model is now equipped with the same monochromatic paint job that comes standard on the Limited model. Three new colors are also available: Vista Blue, Dune Pearl and Tungsten Gray. Finally, the XLT Sport and the Limited are now equipped with Ford’s infamous keypad entry system.

From basic and no-frills to luxurious and loaded, there’s a Ford Escape for almost everybody. The least expensive path to ownership is the XLS, which comes only with a four-cylinder engine and provides a manual gearbox as standard equipment. Air conditioning, a CD player, remote keyless entry, and power windows, locks and mirrors are also included, and the XLS can be identified by an abundance of gray plastic exterior trim and stamped steel wheels.

The popular XLT adds an automatic transmission, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a roof rack, dark tinted rear glass, and a power driver’s seat. Cruise control, nicer fabric for the seats, carpeted floor mats, a CD changer, and an alarm system are also included on the Escape XLT, which shares its standard equipment list with the Escape Hybrid. Upgrade to the XLT Sport model, and you’ll enjoy a standard V6 engine, a monotone paint job, snazzier wheels, and unique exterior detailing.

The Escape Limited sits at the top of the lineup, decked out in leather and equipped with features like illuminated visor mirrors, a message center, an overhead console, a cargo cover, and automatic headlights.

All Escapes can be equipped with four-wheel drive, front-seat side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, and a CD changer. Additional options for the XLS are limited to an automatic transmission, cruise control, floor mats, a roof rack, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a couple of other items.

Choose the XLT, XLT Sport, or Limited and you can add features like a premium sound system, a power sunroof, and a trailer-towing package. Leather is optional on the XLT, along with a V6 engine, an off-road No Boundaries Package, and an XLT Appearance Package with silver lower body paint. Limited models with the Luxury Comfort Package have rear parking sensors, an upgraded sound system, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors.

Escape Hybrids can be equipped with leather and the same Appearance Package as the XLT. Exclusive options for this model include an in-dash navigation system and a 110-volt power outlet, making the Escape Hybrid an excellent mobile office.

An unimpressive 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine making 153 horsepower comes standard on the Escape XLS and XLT. A five-speed manual gearbox is included on the XLS, while the XLT comes with a four-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive is optional on both models. Fuel economy with the manual transmission and front-wheel drive is 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, while the automatic drops ratings to 23 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. As expected, adding 4WD impacts figures. Row your own gears with the manual and you should see 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Ask the automatic transmission to shift gears for you and fuel economy comes in at 21-city/24-highway.

A 200-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine is standard on the XLT Sport and the Limited, paired exclusively with a four-speed automatic transmission. Given the extra oomph, fuel economy projections aren’t bad at 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, and 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway with 4WD.

The Escape Hybrid combines an electric drive motor powered by a rechargeable battery pack with an Atkinson-cycle 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine to generate a combined 155 horsepower. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) puts the power to the front or all four wheels, and the Escape Hybrid gets better fuel economy in the city than it does on the highway. Estimates are 36 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, and 33 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with four-wheel drive.

Notably, the Escape Hybrid is able to travel at speeds up to 25 mph on electric power alone before the gasoline engine kicks in, which helps contribute to a 400-mile range on a single tank of gas. Also, this model also achieves an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) emissions rating.

Ford Escapes don’t offer much in the way of safety features, coming with nothing more than dual front airbags and an antilock braking system with brake assist. You can upgrade an Escape with optional front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, and rear bumper sensors.

Based on crash-test scores provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), spending extra for side impact airbags is a good idea. The IIHS says that the Escape provides Acceptable protection in frontal- and rear-impact collisions, and Good protection in side-impact crashes as long as the SUV has side airbags. Without them, the side-impact rating is Poor. The NHTSA only tested an Escape with the side airbags, and gives the SUV a 4-Star frontal impact rating for both the driver and front passenger, 5-Star side impact crash test ratings for front and rear seat occupants, and 3-Star ratings for rollover resistance.

In terms of reliability, the 2007 Escape is average according to Consumer Reports, while J.D. Power and Associates expect the Escape to provide slightly better than average dependability over time.

Reliability isn’t one of the 2007 Ford Escape’s greater strengths, and unless you get the optional side airbags the SUV doesn’t offer very good crash protection if you get T-boned in an intersection. Otherwise, this compact Ford SUV offers a compelling blend of rugged good looks, a usefully sized and shaped interior, and a wide variety of features to serve almost any need. Our favorite is the Escape Hybrid for its impressive fuel economy.

By Christian Wardlaw