Tag Archives: 2014 Ford Escape
2014 Ford Escape: Standard Choice with Pocket Friendly Price
It seems for 2014 Ford has decided to play safe and has launched its all new 2014 Ford Escape with minor adjustments in its features departments, hence keeping it more or less unchanged from its predecessor. A few notable inclusions like a rearview camera and Sync feature have become now standard in all trim levels of 2014 Ford Escape offered by the car maker. However, to make some difference this year, Ford has discounted its SEL trim level along with 2.0 liter turbocharged engine which was earlier a standard in Titanium trim level Escape. With not much significant changes, 2014 Ford Escape still stands tall among the best small crossovers which have some of the really worthwhile entries to look forward. Because Ford redesigned Escape only last year, thus they have kept its design the same with its handsome styling, sharp handling and high end luxury interiors which quite beautifully justify its marginally high price for this class of SUVs.
So, you don’t have to look so hard at 2014 Ford Escape to understand that it is nothing more than a pumped up Ford Focus, but it has some good reason to dig deep. The platform used by Ford for Escape is same as the Focus which is quite evident in its sleek styling. Everyone knows that SUV lovers appreciate Ford Focus for versatility, quality and excellent driving character and Ford has very well translated all these features into their new Ford Escape. Undoubtedly, Escape is heavier than a Focus but it has a lot more to offer like well controlled ride and it ability to handle turns with surprising agility.
To make 2014 Ford Escape worthwhile, Ford has launched it with the trio of four cylinder engines, wherein the base level comes with 2.5 liter four cylinder engine, which is also quite typical for a small crossover with adequate performance. But the availability of optional 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter turbocharged engine makes Escape distinguishable in this class. But the 1.6 liter engine has better fuel economy and power to offer if compared to 2.5 liter engine. On the other hand 2.0 liter engine can provide upto 240 horsepower with slightly low EPA fuel economy than its 1.6 liter engine.
The interior of 2014 Ford Escape is furnished with excellent quality luxury material and is equipped with sleek looking MyFord touch electronics interface, which gives you a feel of driving some really expensive car. The only negative point of MyFord touch is that at times it behaves a little finicky and becomes difficult to handle because of slow response and glitches. The price of 2014 Ford Escape is quite high if compared to direct rivals, but with its reasonable equipments it represents solid value for this class crossover.
In small SUV segment, there are some more feasible and pocket friendly choices like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 with almost same engine and ample cabin room along with better reputation in the market for safety and reliability. Mazda CX-5, Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport and Subaru Forester are also some of the choices to be considered.
2014 GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain has been known to be quite spacious as well as sturdy looking, and has earned an impressive reputation in the same field. 2014 brings no change in this perception of SUV lovers as the company has not planned to make any changes to this image of the excellent SUV. Contrary to what potential customers might fear, the mighty vehicle maintains its impressive fuel economy still! Recollect that the Terrain is quite similar to its brother SUV, the Chevrolet Equinox in construction, on account of the same owning brand. GMC continues to use the Hummer like cuts on the surface of the SUV in order to differentiate it from the Chevy. Being quite a spacious SUV, with excellent looks and a highly economic fuel economy, The 2014 GMC Terrain continues to attract buyers with large families and decent city usage!
The interiors of the 2014 Terrain SUV are designed on contemporary basis and it is quite clear that comfort and space was the prime factor that motivated the designers at GMC. You will be welcomed by a wood grained steering wheel, accompanied by an impressive 7 inch touch screen entertainment and information system. The central console mentioned above is accompanied by a sophisticated array of controls and buttons. It is quite worthy to mention that the SUV is although quite large in size, does not feature a third row of seats. What does that mean? Yes! Extraordinarily large boot space! The rear seats of the vehicle are capable of a movement up to 8 inches in case you need to carry large amounts of cargo with you. Also, you can flaunt a boot space of 31.6 cubic feet if you fold the rear seats up! The SUV is quite comfortable even if five adults are travelling together on account of the huge space it features.
All the models of the GMC Terrain come with a 2400cc four cylinder direct injection engine. These engines churn out a power of 180 horsepower. Opt for front wheel drive system and enjoy a mileage of 22 miles per gallon in city and 32 miles per gallon on highway. All-wheel drive systems deliver mileages of 21 and 31 miles per gallon respectively. However, if this power isn’t enough for you, then get your Terrain upgraded to a 3600cc V6 engine with direct injection. This beast is capable of producing a power of 301 horsepower on the cost of the vehicle’s mileage which drops down to 17 and 24 miles per gallon in city and highway on front wheel drive and to 16 and 23 miles per gallon respectively on all wheel drive.
Although the sturdy look of the Terrain often misleads people to believing that it is an unsophisticated SUV, the interiors make it quite clear that it is very much suitable for corporate as well as semi luxury uses as well. Facing competition from the likes of Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape and the Mazda Cx-5, the highly loaded with excellent features 2014 GMC Terrain makes a great choice for people with families!
The 2014 Honda CR-V
Having remained one of the best selling SUV’s for several years the Honda CR-V is a perfect blend of practicality, comfort, usability, driver involvement, fuel economy, reliability and low ownership cost and these qualities still remain unmatched by any other compact crossover SUV till date. Folks who look for a small family vehicle this little SUV should top your test drive list. The 2014 Honda CR-V carries over unchanged into the new year and no issues with that since the compact crossover one of the best in its niche.
What best describes the Honda CR-V is the word “easy” because that is certainly what it makes your life. The 5 passenger crossover SUV comes in LX, EX and EX-L trim levels. While the LX comes standard with 16 inch steel wheels, full power accessories, keyless entry, a blind spot mirror, a rear view camera, cruise control a height adjustable driver seat, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a 60.40 split folding seat with reclining trunk mounted fold handle, Pandora internet radio control and all the fancy stuff that there should be in a modern compact crossover, the EX adds to it 17 inch alloy wheels and other luxuries like a sunroof, fog lights, body colored mirrors and door handles, rear privacy glass, a cargo cover and six speaker sound system. The EX-L boast everything along with roof rails, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, dual zone climate control, leather wrapped steering wheel and leather upholstery, eight way power driver seat with two way power lumbar, satellite radio and even a seven-spear surround sound system including a sub woofer.
Powered by a 2.4 liter four cylinder engine, the 2014 Honda CR-V runs on 185 horsepower and twists with 163 pound feet of torque and is mated to a five speed automatic transmission that comes standard with all the models. There is a choice for the buyers between front or all-wheel drive on all models. The fuel economy rates at 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 26 mpg combines while they drop by 1 mpg each in AWD models. The real world driving also testifies the numbers. The Honda CR-V greets the driver with a very precise steering wheel and commendably steady handling. Also, ride quality is smoother and unlike the previous generations, 2014 Honda CR-V sports a relatively quiet cabin.
The 2014 Honda CR-V faces tough completion with competitors like the Chevy Equinox, the 2014 Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport and of course the 2014 Mazda CX-5. In fact, the Jeep Cherokee and Subaru Forester also stand as strong alternative. And since the exterior of the 2014 Honda CR-V is quite bland and materials used in the cabin aren’t as high-quality as in some of the rivals, it seems hard to get excited about the vehicle. But for those who believe in making decisions based in practicality and sensibility rather than an emotional choice based on a highly stylish grille or amazingly plush interiors, nothing comes remotely close to the 2014 Honda CR-V.
The 2014 Ford Escape
It was only last year that the Ford Escape escaped from its box-like, SUV influenced past and emerged from a transformation, turning into a rakish, sporty and more car like crossover with crisp handling, forceful engines and even a slightly increased passenger space. The 2014 Escape steps into the new year mostly unchanged, although the Escape SEL trim has been dropped from the line up. Interestingly, there isn’t even any need for a change on this model of Escape as yet. The consumers in America have just started to notice and get used to the new look of Escape. The “SUV people” would remember how the Escape did its best impression of the first- generation Explorer from 2001 to 2012, down to the grille and window shapes and even the outdated graining of its interior plastics. This 2014 Escape is everything but that! A raffish and confident profile with an aggressive road-going stance on the outside and a sporty, almost cockpit like layout inside, the new 2014 Ford Escape is built to take breaths away.
The impressive athletic look of the 2014 Ford Escape is validated by its road manners. The Mazda CX-5, however, makes it impossible for other compact crossovers to stand in competition with its amazing handling, the Ford Escape handles equally beautifully. There is a myriad of choice in what you desire under the hood of your 2014 Escape. Ford turns to a trio of four-cylinders, replacing its former four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines and the much-loved but discontinued Ford Escape Hybrid. The base engine that powers the 2014 Ford Escape is a carryover 2.5 liter four cylinder grunt meant for fleets, while the mainstream choice is a 1.6 liter turbocharged four-cylinder with straight line acceleration producing 178 ponies, competitive with its chief rivals, the Honda CR-V and the four-cylinder Toyota RAV4. Leading the charge is a 2.0 liter Ecoboost four cylinder engine capable of producing 240 horsepower and accelerating the compact crossover to 60 mph from rest in a sprint time of less than eight seconds (faster than Mazda CX-5). A six speed automatic transmission is standard with all models.
Do not make the mistake of confusing the sleeker look of the new Ford Escape with less passenger space. The front seats are slim and rather firm and the SUV offers just enough space for two adults to sit in the back. The cargo hold is larger and the rear seats fold and flip down its own headrests to add to the storage space. The interiors hold a modern look that is less familiar and bolder. Chiseled, contoured and heavily styled instrument panel, as said before, looks more like a cockpit. Even the exterior of the 2014 Escape is now modern with passing resemblances to the new Hyundai Santa Fe Sport or Mazda CX-5.
Taut ride quality, impressive handing, an easy to indulge in cabin and extremely stylish body mated to a potent engine makes Ford Escape one the very fine crossovers in its class. While tough competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V stand right next to it, the 2014 Ford Escape should be highly considered.