2011 Ford Escape XLT

About this Escape

The Escape of this generation is about as straightforward as a small SUV gets, and that's the appeal. Boxy, upright, easy to see out of, easy to park, with a big square cargo area behind the back seats. No touchscreen to fail, no turbo to replace, no complicated infotainment to go dark - just knobs and buttons that still work.

This is the XLT, the mid trim, on alloy wheels with roof rails. It's the kind of vehicle people buy for a commute, a first SUV for a new driver, or as a second vehicle to keep miles off something nicer. Ford sold these by the hundreds of thousands, so parts are everywhere and any mechanic in town knows them inside out.

The cargo area is the quiet advantage. It's tall and square rather than sloped, so it actually holds boxes, dog crates, and hardware store runs without a fight. Fold the back seats and it takes far more than its footprint suggests.

It runs, it drives, and everything works. The XLT trim covers the essentials without fuss - air conditioning, power windows and locks, cruise control for the highway, audio controls on the wheel, alloy wheels, fog lights, side steps, and roof rails for a cargo box or ladder. Rear seats fold 60/40 when you need the whole back. Come drive it.

Features & equipment