Pilot vs. Ford Escape

[catsailr]

I realize there is a size difference in these two SUVs, but I think the ride and drive is very similar.

I've owned the following SUVs: 87 Ford Bronco II, 89 Ford Bronco II, 92 Ford Explorer, 95 Chevrolet Blazer, 95 Ford Bronco, 98 Ford Expedition, 2000 Jeep Cherokee, 01 Ford Excape, 04 Chev Trailblazer EXT, 05 Honda Pilot. I traded the Trailblazer for the Pilot about one month ago. There was very little that I liked about the Trailblazer. I don't know why I ever bought it other than that my neighbor is the local Chev dealer. My next door neighbor is the Cadillac, Pontiac, Chrysler, Jeep dealer, and I bought a Pilot. The Pilot is by far my favorite, with the Escape being 2nd. My son has the Jeep now and it has given no problems at all with 100K miles. My youngest daughter has the Escape now and it has given very few problems.

[Caf2461]

Having owned an Escape for several years here is my initial impressions on the Pilot:

Pro's:
Better seats (the Escape seats are very uncomfortable on long trips). Comfortable armrests, padded panels make long trips nice. Smooth. Quiet - by far the most quiet Suv I have been in. Better watch the speedo - this thing wants to cruise fast and provides little perception of speed. DVD system worth the price to keep the kids quiet. Nice surround sound system. Lots of bells and whistles to play with. Many places to store things. More room for the dog. 3rd row seat makes taking the kid's freinds possible. Gone is the goosey gas pedal. Resale should fare better.

Cons:
The Escape had less mass and this made driving around town and corners more fun. Better steering on the escape. I miss the pop open rear window on the Escape and so does the dog. I liked the unfinished exterior plastic panels on the Escape for worry free winter/off road driving. Wife used to let me drive the Escape to romp around with the bird dog in the woods....I'm a bit timid in the Pilot.

All in all the Pilot is a quality peice compared to the Escape. Dispite it's larger size the gas milage is about the same. No comparison in comfort so if you go on long trips definately the Pilot is worth the extra $.

[FamilyGuy]

I drove a loaded (leather, sunroof, etc) XLT V6 fwd Escape for several months, and can tell you it is a fine vehicle. IMHO, I would compare it to a CRV though......

[K1050]

Originally posted by Caf2461
Having owned an Escape for several years here is my initial impressions on the Pilot:

Cons:
The Escape had less mass and this made driving around town and corners more fun. Better steering on the escape. I miss the pop open rear window on the Escape and so does the dog. I liked the unfinished exterior plastic panels on the Escape for worry free winter/off road driving. Wife used to let me drive the Escape to romp around with the bird dog in the woods....I'm a bit timid in the Pilot.

I also owned the Mazda Tribute (AKA Ford Escape) for 2 years and traded it for the Pilot. My only real complaint was the passenger capacity and luggage space. I can't say that I noticed the steering being better on the Tribute. I personally find the Pilot very easy to steer even with it being the biggest car I have ever owned. The Pilot navigation system is also a plus!

[mgorbsk]

You Escape owners couldn't have ever test drove a Subaru Forester. Before the Pilot, I liked the Escape. Went to test drive it and was not impressed. The engine was so noisy and sounded so unrefined on acceleration at the noise into the cabin was so pronounced. I then went to the Subaru dealer and was sold on the Forester completely after the test drive. Ride was 10 times better than the Ford. We owned it for about 2 1/2 yrs.

[thomasj2]

Originally posted by mgorbsk
You Escape owners couldn't have ever test drove a Subaru Forester. Before the Pilot, I liked the Escape. Went to test drive it and was not impressed. The engine was so noisy and sounded so unrefined on acceleration at the noise into the cabin was so pronounced. I then went to the Subaru dealer and was sold on the Forester completely after the test drive. Ride was 10 times better than the Ford. We owned it for about 2 1/2 yrs.

When we were shopping for a small SUV we looked at over a dozen and test drove most of the, The Escape was very nive, but the CRV came out on top. The only SUV we looked at and didn't drive was the Subie Forester, the kid got in and there was no rear legroom. I didn't bother to take it for a ride. A year later we added the Pilot to the motor pool. We're extremely happy with both the CRV and the Pilot.

[Caf2461]

I did not mean to imply there was anything wrong with the steering on the Pilot, it can be argued it is easier to steer than my miata. I just found the Escape had a faster ratio and provided some feedback. I don't think the Pilot was intended to be tossed around like you can in the escape/tribute or even the CRV. It is a different class vehicle for a different market.

I agree about the road and engine noise. I Zeibart sound deadened my Escape and it helped. The OEM Continentals are loud. Michelin CT's help tremendously.

Just waxed the Pilot this morning and was reminded of how much better the paint is on this vehicle compared to the Escape. A little over two years of ownership on the Escape and it was faded, chipped and scratched. Not so with the Pilot, it has some paint on it.

[Damarico73]

Is there a comparison?

[array]

I think its a worthless comprarison.
its like compare escalade to pilot.
escalade with tahoe
pilot with murano
escape with tucson