Mudfest 2013: Tom's Hardware Helps Test 23 SUVs
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Page 1:Tom's Hardware At The NWAPA Mudfest
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Page 2:Ford Escape
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Page 3:Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
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Page 4:Mazda CX5
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Page 5:Mini Cooper S Paceman
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Page 6:Subaru XV CrossTrek
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Page 7:Acura RDX
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Page 8:BMW X1
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Page 9:Land Rover LR2
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Page 10:Honda Crosstour
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Page 11:Hyundai Santa Fe
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Page 12:Kia Sorento
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Page 13:Mitsubishi Outlander
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Page 14:Nissan Pathfinder
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Page 15:Subaru Forester
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Page 16:Volkswagen Touareg TDI
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Page 17:BMW X3
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Page 18:Buick Enclave
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Page 19:Jeep Grand Cherokee
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Page 20:Mercedes GL450
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Page 21:VW Touareg Hybrid
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Page 22:Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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Page 23:Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged
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Page 24:Mercedes Geländewagen
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Page 25:And The Winners Are...
Ford Escape
Ford has a completely new Escape for the 2013 model year that shares its platform with the 2012 Focus. The previous-generation Escape debuted back in 2000 and received mild updates in 2008, so this refresh was needed. This time around, Ford offers plenty of tech options to sort through before you order.
The top-rung Titanium trim level showed up for Mudfest 2013. It was nicely equipped with standard push-button start, remote start, SYNC with MyFord Touch, HID projector headlights, and leather seats. Our test vehicle had the company’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged motor paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and intelligent four-wheel drive system. Ford doesn’t give away much information on its drivetrain, but mentions that it monitors traction conditions every 16 ms for optimal torque distribution and vectoring.
Some of the options our Escape included were a power lift gate, rear parking sensors, active park assist, blind spot detection, a back-up camera, navigation, and HD Radio. The lift gate has a neat trick; it lets you walk up behind the car with a key in your pocket and kick your foot below the rear bumper to automatically open it. We weren't able to test the active park assist or blind spot detection systems, but we’ve evaluated active park assist in the past and found it to be quite functional.
We spent a little more time using SYNC with MyFord Touch and our HTC Droid DNA. The phone paired fine and its phonebook transferred over, but text messaging did not work. This was odd because the Droid DNA features HTC Sense, which properly supports the Bluetooth MAP protocol. Nevertheless, we were limited on time. SYNC with MyFord Touch had no trouble with the Lightning-connector equipped iPad, and it played music off of the tablet like a standard iPod.
The Escape was more car-like than SUV. Its Focus roots are noticeable, making it a great crossover to toss around. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost motor was very smooth, didn’t exhibit any noticeable lag, and packed quite a punch. We found the intelligent four-wheel drive system to be competent around the skid pad and dirt course, observing none of the understeer you typically associate with FWD-based systems.
The Escape's throttle response was a little odd in that the drive-by-wire system doesn’t appear to react fast enough when you step on the gas while cruising around. Driving around more conservatively, this wasn't an issue. Ford's Escape wasn’t the only vehicle to exhibit this behavior, though. We noticed it on the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport as well.
Styling-wise, I find the new Escape to be a massive improvement over the previous generation. It's good-looking and stands out in a sea of bland-looking vehicles around it.
Vehicle Specifications | |
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Vehicle | 2013 Ford Escape |
Trim level | Titanium 4WD |
Engine | 2.0 L I4 GTDI EcoBoost (Turbo) |
Transmission | Six-speed Select Shift Automatic |
Drivetrain | Intelligent 4WD |
Infotainment | SYNC with MyFord Touch & Navigation |
Notable features | Power lift-gate Rear parking aid sensors Active park assist Blind spot detection system (BLIS) Rear-view camera |
Fuel economy | 21 city, 28 highway, 24 combined MPG |
MSRP | $35,630 |
- Tom's Hardware At The NWAPA Mudfest
- Ford Escape
- Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- Mazda CX5
- Mini Cooper S Paceman
- Subaru XV CrossTrek
- Acura RDX
- BMW X1
- Land Rover LR2
- Honda Crosstour
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Kia Sorento
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Subaru Forester
- Volkswagen Touareg TDI
- BMW X3
- Buick Enclave
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Mercedes GL450
- VW Touareg Hybrid
- Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
- Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged
- Mercedes Geländewagen
- And The Winners Are...
Its a great offroad vehicle for the price. The other two are capable vehicles, but the buyer demographic will never take them offroad.
Mechanical technology has its uses but the WWII Era vehicles are awful for comfort and driving feel. Not going to lie though, the G-wagen is one sexy beast IMO. The Wrangler is only a 6-speed auto iirc, but there's a company that offers HEMI conversions
Toyota didn't submit any vehicles, disappointingly. Was hoping the 5th Gen 4Runner and new RAV4 would be there
Seriously the WRX transmission is quite nice, how the hell did all of their others end up to be so godawful?
Guess I'm stuck with my 1999 Isuzu Rodeo until I can win the lottery...oil burning, gas guzzling eyesore it may be but hey the money I saved will buy me a decades worth of gas.
Nothing wrong with an old Isuzu, before GM raped and pillaged them
My Wrangler has a 6 speed manual and AEV can only do engine swaps on 2011 and older Jeeps. Not that there were many takers. 20 grand, an extra 500 lbs. in an already porky vehicle, and a peaky engine that doesn't really have the grunt an off roader needs. Even on road a 392 hemi Wrangler is less than a second quicker to 60 than a stock Pentastar due to aerodynamics and that heavy duty drive train. Waste of money.
CPU=Engine
Cores=cylinders
Hyperthreading=DOHC
OC=Turbo
SLI/CF=4WD/AWD
Motherboard tech=Gearbox tech
see it's more related than you think.
I'll stick to Car & Driver
I was told they changed PR agencies to one that has never done a car company before and don't quite understand what they should do with the auto press.
Note to Author: Why in the h?!? was the GC Overland not rated for the hard off-road course? With the terrain select, 2-speed gear box and air suspension, it will go everywhere the Range Rover will go. I've done the "Land Rover Experience" at Quail Lodge in a new 2013 Range Rover, and I honestly feel like my GC can go anywhere that car can go, and for half the price!!!
Comment to those missing the Toyota 4Runner: Have you stepped into one of those lately? That SUV feels incredibly dated! Toyota is long overdue for a complete refresh of that car...
Because Jeep already had enough firepower to embarass the uber expensive ones with the Wrangler
Its ok though, I took the Jeep for a week and had some fun with it. Impressive car. Here's a preview of what we did with it.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8712408313_ca9eda6313_c.jpg
P1040212 by tuanies, on Flickr
That's my buddy's lifted WK with beefy off-road tires. I made it just as far up the remnant snow that he was comfortable going up (it was mostly packed snow and ice). This is with a bone stock 2014 GC with stock tires. I am in love with the air suspension.