Cars: Ford Escape Hybrid VS Chevy 2010 Equinox

[JoiseyMom]

So, my clunker is 9 years old...and with this program I am thinking it might be time for a new one.

Now if it was up to my DH he would be buying a 2 seater Pontic Solstice convertible . Umm..I don't think so, not that it isn't a really hot car! I even started looking at four seater convertibles...no trunk space!!

I am going to be testing driving the Escape and Equinox. Just wondering if anyone here has any experience with these 2 cars??

Thanks guys!

[KLAIT]

I do have an Equinox, although it is a 2008, not a 2010.

I have to honestly say that when we were looking for a new car, I had my heart set on an Equinox..it was a nice looking vehicle, decent gas mileage, was the size we were looking for, had four wheel drive, etc. My DH did NOT want one at all...so I insisted "I am the one who is using it and driving it back and forth to work, etc"...so, I got my Equinox...I am so sorry I did that but won't tell DH...It is OK, but pay attention when you test drive it. I have never seen a vehicle with so many blind spots. It seems like there are more things blocking vision inthe vehicle than there are windows and mirrors to see out of and look in..pay special attention to the backseat headrests, the sides when tryng to pull into the left lane, etc. Plus, of all the vehicles we test drove (not the Escape) this one has he worst ride of them all...

Good luck

[JoiseyMom]

Originally Posted by KLAIT

I do have an Equinox, although it is a 2008, not a 2010.

I have to honestly say that when we were looking for a new car, I had my heart set on an Equinox..it was a nice looking vehicle, decent gas mileage, was the size we were looking for, had four wheel drive, etc. My DH did NOT want one at all...so I insisted "I am the one who is using it and driving it back and forth to work, etc"...so, I got my Equinox...I am so sorry I did that but won't tell DH...It is OK, but pay attention when you test drive it. I have never seen a vehicle with so many blind spots. It seems like there are more things blocking vision inthe vehicle than there are windows and mirrors to see out of and look in..pay special attention to the backseat headrests, the sides when tryng to pull into the left lane, etc. Plus, of all the vehicles we test drove (not the Escape) this one has he worst ride of them all...

Good luck

Thanks for the input, just an FYI the 2010 Equinox has been totally redone from the past.

[Golf4food]

We tried a Pontiac Torrent (99.9% the same as the Equinox in the older models) and like it but not quite as much as the 2008 Ford Escape (non-hybrid) that we got. We love our Escape. The newer ones have some newer features that sound great, too. I did the math on it and gas would have to get up to over $7.40 per gallon before we'd break even on the extra cost of the hybrid, so we stuck with the normal. But we couldn't be happier with it. Just passed 15,000 miles, zero problems, nothing but love.

[lsyorke]

I had a 2007 Equinox....what a disaster! It spent more time in the dealer than on the road (struts x 2, brake calipers x 2, rear lift gate mechanism, and a leak into the rear wheel well that they never found the cause).
The final demise of the car was in a 25 MPH accident where every other car drove away(multi car accident) and the Equinox was totalled, but the air bags never went off.

I would not buy a Chevy again.

[Best Aunt]

How tall are you? I had trouble getting into both of these vehicles. It was several years ago, so I don't know if they've changed the designs. If I can't get in and out of a vehicle comfortably, I don't even bother to test drive it.

[LisaR]

The Fusion will be recommended in the September issue of Consumer Reports.

Fusion Hybrid highlighted in September Consumer Reports Magazine


By now many of you have seen that the 2010 Fusion is again in the news. This time after Consumer Reports magazine issued a press release for its September 2009 issue calling the car its top-rated domestic sedan and putting it on par with the Toyota Camry Hybrid.


Consumer Reports David Champion, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center, is quoted in the release saying, “The new Fusions are very impressive, especially the Hybrid. The Hybrid successfully blends excellent fuel economy with driving pleasure, something all other hybrids have failed to do. All have a comfortable ride, agile handling, and the innovative display on the Hybrid encourages frugal driving.”


Consumer Reports now names the Fusion 4- and 6-cylinder, Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan 4- and 6-cylinder and Milan Hybrid all as recommended buys.

[ndelaware]

We have a 2003 Escape that has been fabulous. It has 75000 miles on it and my only complaint was the lousy Bridgestone tires that came on it.

As for space, I am 6'3 and the car has more than enough headroom. Ours even has an electric sunroof which takes away about 2 inches of clearance.

[LisaR]

Why did I think this said Fusion instead of Escape? I think I need an eye exam!

[JoiseyMom]

Originally Posted by Best Aunt

How tall are you? I had trouble getting into both of these vehicles. It was several years ago, so I don't know if they've changed the designs. If I can't get in and out of a vehicle comfortably, I don't even bother to test drive it.

LOL...I am not tall at all. But I currently have a mini van..so I have to climb anyway!

[JoiseyMom]

Originally Posted by LisaR

The Fusion will be recommended in the September issue of Consumer Reports.

Fusion Hybrid highlighted in September Consumer Reports Magazine


By now many of you have seen that the 2010 Fusion is again in the news. This time after Consumer Reports magazine issued a press release for its September 2009 issue calling the car its top-rated domestic sedan and putting it on par with the Toyota Camry Hybrid.


Consumer Reports David Champion, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center, is quoted in the release saying, “The new Fusions are very impressive, especially the Hybrid. The Hybrid successfully blends excellent fuel economy with driving pleasure, something all other hybrids have failed to do. All have a comfortable ride, agile handling, and the innovative display on the Hybrid encourages frugal driving.”


Consumer Reports now names the Fusion 4- and 6-cylinder, Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan 4- and 6-cylinder and Milan Hybrid all as recommended buys.

Umm..thanks but I am not looking to buy a sedan .

[Inigo]

I have a 2009 Equinox (I know the 2010 has been revamped) and I love it. There's lots of room, and I love how the back seat slides forward and back to give extra room where needed. Even with it all the way forward, there's room for adults to sit comfortably in the back seat. And that's with the front seats pretty far back.

I like how the 'Nox handles, and I'm really glad I've got it.

We test drove Escapes and their twin, the Mercury Mariner, when we were shopping last year. The Mariner is a lot more comfortable than the Escape. I drive a 05 and an 07 Escape at work when we go on home visits, and those years are a lot more comfortable that the 2009 Escapes we test drove. The 2009 seats just seemed hard, and there didn't seem to be nearly as much interior room.

We almost bought the Mariner Hybrid, but couldn't get the price to where we wanted it. We got a better price on the 'Nox since we qualify for the employee discount.

My partner at work just bought a 2010 Mercury Mariner, although not a hybrid. She loves it, and hasn't stopped raving about it. She did have a transmission problem three days after buying it, but Mercury replaced the transmission, and took care of them since they were out of town when it happened.

[JoiseyMom]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am going to have to do some test drives. I just hate going into a dealership and not being ready to buy. They are so pushy .

[LisaR]

Originally Posted by JoiseyMom

Umm..thanks but I am not looking to buy a sedan .

Sorry! I corrected my mistake in the next post. I saw Ford Hybrid and totally missed the Escape. I thought it said Fusion. My mistake.

[CowboyCO]

I'd buy the Ford so as to avoid buying a Government Motors car. Ford is the only US car comany that didn't get bailed out. The Escape is a good vehicle.