I love my Escape

I had been researching new cars for over a year--decided that what I should try was a small crossover (CUV).  Something that would fit in our garage (rules out a lot of cars and most CUV/SUVs), but offer the convenience of an open, flat storage area.  For my yoga bins as well as mulch/topsoil/plants.  I did not enjoy driving our '09 Honda Accord--uncomfortable, and quite a step down from our '89 Toyota Avalon.  But I figured I would take the new car and have my son drive the old one.  Why do some Japanese cars, including the Honda, have headrests that tilt forward?  Incredibly uncomfortable, no matter where you position it.  And the leather on the seats felt stiff and cheap--again, the Avalon was so much more comfortable, with neutral (straighter) headrests.

My idea was that I'd drive the Accord for a few years, then we'd get rid of the Avalon and my son would get the Accord--a very nice starter car, but not a good "encore" purchase.  But we tend to hang on to cars until the bitter end--despite my arguments that we sink thousands of dollars into cars that aren't worth it.  So the most likely car-buying scenario was that some "final straw" engine problem would befall the Avalon--which meant we'd either need to get a car right away, or deal with the hassle and expense of renting a car.  Or worse, buy a car without doing enough research and exploring.

I relied very heavily on Edmunds for my research, combined with the "best car" lists from U.S. News and World Reports.  I had used Consumer Reports when I made the decision to buy the Honda--but after doing a lot of research from multiple sources, I realized that CR only cares about cost and MPG.  CR seems to have no interest in comfort/luxury or engine power--two things that are a must for this family.  (I go for comfort; my husband insists on powerful engines and is still bemoaning the loss of the V8.  I've had to gently break the news to him that V6s are on their way out.)  I also mentioned to my husband recently that I thought CR had a bias against domestic car manufacturers--he said that had been the rap against CR for a number of years.

If we had needed a car last year, the Chevy Equinox would have been at the top of my list.  I never went out and test drove that or the other top options (including VW Tiguan and Infiniti EX), because I didn't want to deal with car sales people when I couldn't tell them if or when I planned to buy a car.
I redid my research to consider '13 models, and saw that the newly redesigned Ford Escape was getting rave reviews and topped the U.S. News best small SUV list.  The Chevy Equinox was also high on the U.S. News list; the Infiniti EX topped the U.S. News best luxury small SUV list.  And they all would fit in our garage--that requirement ruled out all Lexus, Acura, and Audi, which otherwise get good reviews.  The Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4 were non-starters--engines not powerful enough.

In March I finally decided it was time to move from Internet research to the real world--so I test drove the Chevy Equinox, Buick Encore, Ford Escape, Infinit EX and BMW 1.  I first test drove the Equinox, which has the most powerful engine of the lot--but was disappointed in the feel and comfort.  The sales person suggested I try the new Buick Encore.  Wonderfully upscale and comfortable--if I were using it as family room furniture, it would be great.  But it has a weak engine, so it was out.

I then test-drove the Escape and loved it--the seats felt really comfortable; the interior had cool high-tech features, and it drove really well.  I had to tell the sales person I was interested, but needed to test drive a couple other cars.  I didn't mention that our Avalon hadn't yet entirely bitten the dust, so wasn't sure when we'd actually need a new car.  He asked which other cars I was planning to test drive, and I said the Infiniti and BMW.  I'm guessing I may be the first person who didn't say CRV and RAV4.  But I do think the Escape should be compared to the luxury CUVs when considering price, not the cheap, weak engine ones.  I thought the Infiniti was really stiff--and I would have had to pay at least $10k more than the Escape for comparable features.  And don't get me started on the BMW.  Incredibly condescending sales person, with a CRV that was too small, tires that have to be replaced every time you drive over a nail...and a sales pitch that focuses on "how much can you afford to spend a month" as a price negotiator.  Do people have any idea what they're really paying for a car when they purchase those lease agreements?

About a month after my test drives, I got the call I'd been waiting for--the Avalon engine was shaking when my son drove it, and the interior was smoking up.  My husband told him to open a window--I told them my son needed to stop driving the car immediately and drive the Accord (I was out of town). As soon as I got home, we went to the Ford dealer and test drove the Escape again.  Two days later, after going back and forth on the features and packages, I drove off--very happily--with my black Ford Escape Titanum.  I actually try to think of places to drive now (I walk a lot of places).  Just so I can stand (OK, sit) above the crowd and try out all the cool technology.  I'm glad, for once, I bought "the works".