First introduced as a 2001 model, the 2004 Ford Escape continues to provide fun and responsive ride and handling, an outstanding interior package, fuel economy and low emissions in a small, rugged SUV. The Escape is designed to appeal to customers who want sporty and durable transportation.
For 2004, the Escape is available in XLS, XLT and Limited trims. It is built in Kansas City, Mo, and Avon Lake, Ohio.
Design
The 2004 Escape features package upgrades designed to remain one of the leaders among small SUVs.
New for 2004 is the Limited Luxury Comfort Package, which includes the MACH audio system, heated side-view mirrors, reverse sensing system, front and rear premium leather-trimmed seats and heated front seats.
Also new for 2004 is the Base Limited model, which features monochromatic exterior appearance and front and rear leather seats, in addition to auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual sunvisors with illuminated mirrors and an AM/FM six-disc, in-dash audio system. This series is designed for customers who prefer luxury and comfort at an affordable price.
In addition, the 2004 XLT No Boundaries Package features a No Boundaries roof rack, trailer towing class II, 16-in sport aluminum wheels, P235/70R16 A/T OWL tires and step bars.
Interior
The Escape is designed for maximum comfort, convenience, passenger roominess and cargo flexibility. Escape has four doors and a rear lift-gate with flip-up glass for access to the cargo area. The cargo area, with the seats up, offers 33 cubic feet of storage space.
Escape has room to carry five adults and their cargo comfortably. Its low, step-in height and wide door openings allow easy access, with four assist grips for front passengers – on both the A-pillar and the headliner on each side – and two more on the headliner for rear seat occupants.
XLS has manually adjustable seats trimmed with cloth. XLT vehicles have a premium cloth seating surface. Both front and rear seats have separate two-way adjustable head restraints in the outboard positions.
In all Escape models, rear seating systems can be folded flat for increased cargo space. The rear-seat cushion also can be removed, further enhancing load-carrying capacity. The flip-up rear glass offers easy access to the rear cargo area for small items.
Escape provides easy-to-use interior storage. In the XLT and Limited, the console accommodates a storage bin, and two-liter forward and two rear pop-out cup holders. The XLS Value floor console includes five cup holders, an open storage bin and coin holders. The center of the instrument panel incorporates a storage compartment large enough to hold CD cases or sunglasses.
The glove box locks, and each front door includes large, deep map pockets. Open storage bins are located in the rear quarter panel on both sides of the cargo area. Audio and climate controls are located in the center of the instrument panel, with the controls logically arranged.
An in-dash AM/FM stereo with single CD player is standard on the XLS; the XLT and Limited have an in-dash six-disc CD player.
Powertrains
The 2004 Ford Escape comes with a standard 3.0-liter Duratec DOHC V-6 engine on XLS, XLT and Limited series, producing 201 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 196 foot-pounds of torque at 4,700 rpm with the four-speed automatic transmission. The 2004 XLS Value package comes with a standard 2.0-liter Zetec inline four-cylinder engine that makes 127 horsepower and 135 foot-pounds of torque with a five-speed manual transmission.
When properly equipped, Escape has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
Ride and Handling
The 2004 Ford Escape is a versatile, compact SUV that is responsive and fun to drive. Escape combines convenience and comfort with a unibody design for refined passenger car-like ride and handling.
The two-wheel drive Escape is front-wheel drive, which provides excellent handling, traction and control.
The optional full-time four-wheel drive system lets the driver choose two different settings: 4x4 Auto or 4x4 ON.
MacPherson strut front suspension helps isolate road forces, while the independent rear suspension provides a smooth ride.
Safety and Security
Ford Escape has been designed with safety as a top priority. Front fender reinforcement helps direct the energy load of a frontal crash between the lower frame rail and an upper path that goes through the roof, away from occupants.
An energy-absorbing steering column works with energy-absorbing knee bolsters, located below the instrument panel, to reduce the risk of injuries for front seat occupants. Standard high-tensile-steel side-intrusion door beams help to protect passengers in side impacts.
Driver and front passenger air bags are standard. Pretensioners combined with load limiting retractors are standard on front-seat belts. In a crash, these pretensioners automatically tighten the belts, while the load limiters are designed to reduce the risk of chest injuries in severe collisions. Escape Limited models have side air bags for the driver and front passenger as standard equipment.
Text and photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
