Pilot vs. Ford Escape

[tndthuma]

There is NO comparison. The Pilot is 10 times the quality of the Escape. We had a 2002 Escape that Ford bought back on the Lemon Law(thank goodness for the Lemon Law), and the Pilot has more room, more power, and the Escape only got 17 MPG city and 21 MPG on the highway. As far as the people complaining about the gas milage, I've had 2 1987 Dodge Raiders and a 1994 Nissan 4x4 truck. All of them got around 16-17 mpg city and 20-22 mpg on the highway. SUVs and trucks are not made to get good gas milage, no matter what the manufacturers say.

[Commuter]

I have both a fully loaded Escape XLT and a Pilot EX and it is an unfair comparison. First there is a substantial price difference ($7000). Second, the Escape should be compared to the CRV and in this respect, Honda reliability probably wins here.

To be honest, the Pilot handles like a boat whereas the Escape handles like a sports car- the Escape is more fun to drive. But the Escape definitely lacks the refinement of the Pilot.

It would be interesting to see a comparison between the Pilot and the Explorer 7 seater.

[jay]

Originally posted by Commuter


...snip

To be honest, the Pilot handles like a boat whereas the Escape handles like a sports car- the Escape is more fun to drive. But the Escape definitely lacks the refinement of the Pilot.

snip...

That's not how I'd describe the Pilot's handling. I'd say it's more like a sports car with ground clearance, and it drives like a much smaller vehicle. Zippy acceleration, throaty exhaust when the VTEC kicks in. Are you sure you're not driving a Highlander?

[bubbafett]

I would not describe the Pilot handling as sports car, it is more of a tall Accord. Not that this is bad, but definitely not sports car. I wish the pilot had a little less body roll and lean in on turns, but to do this you have to stiffen suspension and you lose ride quality to do this.

The Escape is much smaller vehicle and in the 4WD model is definitely not sports car, but it does handle better than the Pilot. It should because of the difference in weight and size and the ride quality is nowhere near as good as the Pilot.

The new Explorer handles a little better than the Pilot, but again it is at the cost of ride quality. The Explorer has more of a truck feel than the Pilot.

All of the above said I would pick the Pilot in a heartbeat over the the two Fords, but I wished that it handled a little better.

[rtresco]

Personally, I'd associate the Pilot more with the Expedition than the Explorer or Escape.

I wonder if Ford will jump on the bandwagon and come up with a larger car-based ute... perhaps based on the Taurus.

[Twinkie]

Originally posted by rtresco
I wonder if Ford will jump on the bandwagon and come up with a larger car-based ute... perhaps based on the Taurus.

I shudder at the thought

[rtresco]

Originally posted by Twinkie


I shudder at the thought

Just in case, please allow me to clarify... not look like the Taurus, but just based on the same chassis. The Escape is car-based, but I'm not sure which car it shares its chassis with. Maybe the Focus?

[01r1]

I had an Escape V6 for a week as a rental this last winter, put about 1100 miles on it. Lack of refinement. Loud, I mean LOUD, engine. Not good acceleration (but it sure sounds like it's trying). Best gas mileage I could get out of it was about 20mpg, which was entirely freeway. I'd have to agree that it handled much better than the Pilot - very crisp. Not that one should compare these two vehicles since they're not even in the same price, size or weight category.

[ramirami]

Originally posted by 01r1
I had an Escape V6 for a week as a rental this last winter, put about 1100 miles on it. Lack of refinement. Loud, I mean LOUD, engine. Not good acceleration (but it sure sounds like it's trying). Best gas mileage I could get out of it was about 20mpg, which was entirely freeway. I'd have to agree that it handled much better than the Pilot - very crisp. Not that one should compare these two vehicles since they're not even in the same price, size or weight category.

remember the rental will the the most basic model, mistreated by everyone...get the worst quality gas etc etc...

[rtresco]

I test drove a V6 version when the Escape first came out. I definitely agree about the pronounced engine noise heard on the inside.

I was impressed with the pep and surprising amount of interior room.

[Res-Pilot]

Isn't Ford Escape is like Mazda? Like Honda Passport is an Isuzu.

[rtresco]

Originally posted by Res-Pilot
Isn't Ford Escape is like Mazda? Like Honda Passport is an Isuzu.

Yep. The Mazda Tribute and the Ford Escape are basically the same vehicle.

[Res-Pilot]

OK, just as I thought I do read something about Ford Escape from Mazda, Honda Passport from Isuzu and Acura something from Isuzu also, and Pilot originally from Odyssey to MDX to Pilot.

And they mention how Acura & Honda destroy their reputation by signed a 10 contracted with Isuzu, especially SUV type.

[rtresco]

Originally posted by Res-Pilot
And they mention how Acura & Honda destroy their reputation by signed a 10 contracted with Isuzu, especially SUV type.

Yea, I was a bit confused why Honda decided to badge a Rodeo with its logo and call it a Passport. It did get Honda's foot into the "sport ute" door a bit earlier, but Honda customers got screwed by poor quality.

Maybe it will pay off in the long run for Honda because they took their time to develop the MDX, and ultimately the Pilot.

[shutrbug]

Originally posted by Res-Pilot
OK, just as I thought I do read something about Ford Escape from Mazda, Honda Passport from Isuzu and Acura something from Isuzu also, and Pilot originally from Odyssey to MDX to Pilot.

The Acura RLX (I think that's what it was called) was a rebadged Isuzu Trooper.