OT: Small SUV dilema: Subaru Forrester or Ford Escape?

[chimo2u]

Hello

Wouldn't you know it, but today we went to "just look at" the Ford Escape and ended up taking one home overnight for a "test drive". The deals at our local Ford dealership are VERY good right now, with $2,000.00 for our old '94 Geo Metro (still in decent shape, but old!), 2,000.00 cash rebate and a $500.00 military discount. We would be looking at $4,500.00 off and 0% financing. It is a tempting deal. My dilema is, I have researched the Subaru Forrester and wanted one of these vehicles for over 3 yrs now. I am impressed with the All wheel drive of Subaru, and the engine technology as well as the consistently high ratings (#1 in it's category for many years). I drove the escape tonight, and while the financing and "great rebates" look very attractive, I did not fall IN LOVE with the feel of this vehicle. I found the seats a tad short and uncomfortable (coming to mid thigh rather than closer to my knee like my car [Toyota Corolla]....I do like the look of the escape and I did like the vehicle overall, it will take a bit to get used to it as it felt quite large like I was driving a big truck! I have owned a mini van before, but this even felt heavier/bigger than that. My husband really likes the Ford Escape. He especially loves the price of it! He likes the look and the feel of it. In the end, it is a decent family vehicle, but I am not completely sold on it yet. Does anyone here have a Ford Escape or Subaru Forester, and if so, how do you like your vehicle?? If you know of someone who has either one, what are the overall thoughts on the performance and quality of these vehicles?? I could use some reviews/opinions from those who have lived with either of these vehicles as nothing quite beats REAL life reviews from ppl who use and live with something on a daily basis!
Any advice/thoughts are much appreciated.
Thank You,
Marie

 

[Sue M]

I don't have either! We have an SUV, but not either of those. a girlfriend has a Subaru Forrester and loves it, Brother in law has a Ford SUV, not sure which one, and likes it although is a bit annoyed with the built in blue tooth at the moment, lol

The bottom line, IMO is you're going to have this car for a long time. If it doesn't feel good to you, no matter the cost, and savings,you're going to hate it.
If the seating isn't comfortabe for a short drive, can you imagine how you'll feel on a long drive? You'll be saying "should have got the other one."

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Sue M]

Have you looked at Hyundai? They have 2 SUVs. The smaller one is the Tuson. I have a Hyundai Sonata sedan, and I'm very impressed with it. I've had it 2 years I guess, it's a 2008, and no problem. Plus they have a great 5 yr on everything warranty.

 

[endy]

I have an '07 Escape & love it. Before this one I had an '02 Escape.

If you have a Costco card it's good for another $1000 off a Ford. Not sure if it's all models.

I have over 100,000 kms racked up already. 4 trips to San Diego and a couple to Seattle. Pretty good on gas, enough room for myself & teenaged son. And it fits his hockey gear easily.
Haven't had any major issues with it other than replacingthe brakes last year. I need new tires pretty soon. Due for a big checkup next time & really hope nothing serious comes out of it.

 

[indigodisney]

I love my Escape! I really love how it drives and how comfortable it is....it sounds like you like your Subaru better though - I think those are solid vehicles, don't think you could go wrong.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

We just bought a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe and a 2010 Hyundai Elantra Sport - pick them up this Saturday hopefully
We looked at the Escape but it wouldn't have worked for our 6 ft 2 15yo - he was very crammed in the back seat. Dh also didn't find it comfortable to drive due to the position your leg is in.

We looked at most of the mid sized SUV's and ended up narrowing it down to the Kia Sorrento and the Santa Fe - Kia didn't have the $$ off and decent financing like Hyundai. Dh managed to get $6000 off the price plus they are buying out the final 5 months of his lease with Toyota.

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

We have a 2006 Ford Escape that we bought new. I was never a Ford fan, but I love this SUV!!!! We have had it for four years and have not had any problems whatsoever and its great on gas. The Escape really isn't a big SUV it is actually the same length as most mid-sized cars. With all the discounts you would be getting you could spend extra cash and get some really great upgrades....we got the heated leather seats and now I would never get a car without them. We also pull our tent trailer with the escape and its really smooth to tow.

 

[calena]

I drive a 2007 Subaru Forester. I inherited the car and I don't think it would have been my first choice if I went to buy one, but it was given to me and was very new when I got it last year, so I have been driving it for the last 11 months. I have the base model - standard. I used to drive a Ford Explorer, before that a Jeep Cherokee and an Audi Quatro (before the kids!).
CONS - I think my main issue is it is too small for our family. If all of us go in it (2 adults, 2 tall teens - 15,13 and our 9 year old - we are a tight fit, but we do fit. If I am alone with just the kids we are fine which is 99 percent of the time. (DH has a big extended cab Ford Truck which he loves to drive so we go with him and it is much roomier.) My boys play hockey and the hockey sticks WILL NOT FIT properly. The bag just fits in.
I also don't like that in my version none of the windows are tinted and I miss my heated seats.
PROS - Handles really nice. The All Wheel Drive is one of the best. I feel very safe in it. Also the crash results etc are good. I think it looks good - just smaller than I am used to.
The alternator went when it was "just' out of warranty and the tires wore out fast too which I found strange.

I think if you really want the Subaru you should hold out for it. We all spend a lot of time in our cars and if we aren't happy. I'm holding on to my Subaru fo awhile yet but if I was in the market I REALLY like the Ford Flex or Edge the best.

 

[Sillyminny40]

I LOVE my 2010 Sub forester. It is smooth and handles the road so well. We have 3 huge teens and can fit ok but not like a van, but hey! Subs last for 30 years! Great vehicle.

If you want speeding tickets, get the turbo boosted one but I didn't even though dh wanted it. I am so happy with this.
Awesome customer service.

Absolutely NO dickering on price at dealership.

 

[DeniseinNS]

We just bought a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe and a 2010 Hyundai Elantra Sport - pick them up this Saturday hopefully

We are getting a Santa Fe this weekend as well. I love it!

 

[rella's fan]

My mom and step dad just got the Subaru Forester and they love it. My step dad is one of those people who research big purchases for months before the purchase (safety, cost, consumer ratings etc.) The closest dealer in our area is 2 hours away so he actually bought it in the U.S. which is only 45 minutes away, and with the exchange and taxes they saved approx.$6000.

 

[TagsMissy]

Don't even have to think about this - Subaru.

 

[NancyK]

We bought a Ford Escape last summer. DH had been looking at them for months and I really wasn't all that impressed at first. But I fell in love with it the day we brought it home. We get better gas mileage than our Taurus and I love how easily I can get in/out of parking spaces.
Like PP have said, though, you have to live with a car for a very long time so you should do what feels best for you.

 

[ferris198]

I have a friend who owns a Ford dealership, he always advises family and friends never to buy brand new as the depreciation is so much.
He always suggests a year or more older.

 

[chimo2u]

Just picked up our new Ford Escape tonight. Yes, I would have loved the Subaru Forester, but with the incentives Ford was offering right now, we chose what we could get the best deal on. It was not the top of the line, (leather seats, moon roof, heated seats)....but it was the middle line XLT with the new Sync technology (very cool, awnsers and dials your phone voice activated and completely hands free), 4 Wheel Drive which was the most important feature to me, being that I drive to work in brutal Alberta winter conditions. Overall, I am happy. For the price (25,000.00 total taxes in) we got a very nice brand new SUV. I hope the quality is as good as I have heard and it lasts many years! Next purchase will be the Subaru Forrester I have always admired
Thanks for all your reviews!
Marie

 

[NARM Forever]

Had my 8 year old Subaru Forrester for 6 years and its going for its 3rd journey down to WDW next week. Its starting to show its age (mostly because I like the new ones) but we've never had any regrets. We're likely to keep this one as a second car and buy another Forrester in the next couple of years.

NARM

 

[endy]

Congratulations on the new Escape, Marie.
Hope you will love it.

My son thinks we need a new Escape for the sync - me, I have no idea what it even is.

 

[chimo2u]

Congratulations on the new Escape, Marie.
Hope you will love it.

My son thinks we need a new Escape for the sync - me, I have no idea what it even is.

Thank you endy So far we are enjoying it. The sync is quite cool....it uses blue tooth technology and hooks your cell phone to a interior computer that answers your phone/ or calls out your calls via the touch of a button on your steering wheel as well as voice-activated commands. I am still trying to get the hang of it as i am not very tech-savy! It is neat to talk clearly completely hands free, the other person comes through clear as a bell through your speakers. You get it to dial by simple voice commands like: PHONE, DIAL xxx-yyyy. etc..... I am still trying to learn how to use it though as i have only awnsered calls and not had it dial out yet. Looks like i have some manuals to read through this weekend!!!