Ford Escape Vs. Jeep Liberty

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
19,388
Location
Michigan
Battle of the Suvs!


One of the two of these will be added to the fleet in the near future. Need something for trips/help carrying my growing extended family...

Model years are 2004-2006. Ealier models could happen at the right price. Milage will be around 100k. The plan is to bring it home and "gut" it (IE meaning all new fluids/some new parts/updates)

hich one would be a better choice? ( I like em' both) How do they hold up body wise? (I hate rust) Which makes a better trip driver...as plans are to take it into northern MI.

I'm looking for opinions and people who could give more insight on these trucklets...I know a bit about them...but I'd like some real life experience with em...


Thanks!
 
The wife has an 03 Escape V6, 4WD. Turned 100k a couple months ago and is currently at 102 or 103k (can't remember which).

Been very reliable outside the normal stuff (a couple seals, a power steering hose, and a new front wheel bearing). Pretty much gas, oil, trans changes and go. I did do the spark plugs + manifold gaskets at 90k as they are a weak spot on the 3.0.

We'd buy another as it has been reliable. Just make sure the trans fluid was changed every 30k (we did) and it will lead a good life.
 
I have an 02 that I bought new. it now has 110k+ on it. It has been bulletproof. I have a friend who has on 03, his has not been as reliable (water pump - although I think he brought that on himself by using the wrong coolant - fortunately it was VERY easy to replace). They are very solid, quiet, and tight. (heavy influence from Benz). The engine is a dog and is VERY thirsty. I am a HUGE Jeep fan but I believe that most Escape owners are happier with their Escapes than are Liberty owners. (I could be wrong)
 
Mother in law had that year of Escape. No issues I was aware of, and I drove it from WV to VA in 2005. 4wd was nice and it drove well.

Rented a Liberty in Colorado in 2004. Drove nice, 4wd worked fine.

Although I'm a Jeep fan, the Escape did get better mpg and felt more stable on the highway. The Jeep had the shorter wheelbase (on road manners?) but felt better / stronger / tougher offroad.

So I'm thinking this depends on where you spend your time...on road, take the Escape. If you go off road anything close to frequently, go with the Jeep.
 
Last edited:
have you considered... a minivan? or a crossover? I know... the stigma... but for the ultimate in space and better MPG...
 
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
have you considered... a minivan? or a crossover? I know... the stigma... but for the ultimate in space and better MPG...


I currently have:

2004 and 2003 chevy Cavaliers
2006 Chevy Cobalt

As the last two are turning into "commuting beaters", so gas milage won't be a huge issue for us. I also need something smaller for my wife to drive, and easy to handle. She has driven both and likes them. My thing is that she is that a minivan might be too big...as she is used to driving small things. (no pun intended) I'm not stuck on just these two, as the right priced Vue, CRV or Aztek/R-Vue would due as well....


These two are just my favs..
 
I would go with the Ford Escape, but be prepared if the Catalytic converters go its a PITA to replace or expensive at a shop to do them...1500 later all 3 new cats on an escape because they got clogged...getting them off was horrible...I coulda done 3 engine swaps easier and faster
 
Let the SUV craze die, and get a Minivan
smile.gif
There are very few around anymore, but I like the looks of the Dodge Grandcaravan
smile.gif
 
The Jeep Liberty '04-06 has an average to worse than average reliability rating.

The Ford Escort '04-06 has an average to better than average reliability rating.
 
If it is for people hauling and you really don't need the 4wd, go with a minivan. The usable space and low floor height are a huge advantage. If you have dogs, they can lay on the floor instead of the seats.
In that time frame look at the Kia and Mazda for small minivans, or just let your wife drive one of the larger one. Our '02 Sienna actually drove a lot like our '03 Camry at the time.
 
I have an 04 Escape 4x4 bought used with 35,000 miles just turned 85,000 with ZERO issues other than normal maintenance.
This is the only car I have ever owned with ZERO issues at this mileage. It still drives like the day i bought it. I get close to 20mpg around town and 23 hgwy.I have a very light foot.

If you get an escape make sure the trans was serviced as this is the only weak link if you could even call it that.If not serviced they can develop a converter shutter, I drain and fill (theres even a drain plug) evry 15,000 and tow a camper with no problem so far.

They do rust around the rear wealwells prematurely if you dont have the trim package covering them but is easily fixed in that area.
 
Another thing to add , neither of these are realy off-road vehicles imo but the jeep would have to be the better choice if you are going off road simply because of the slightly better ground clearance.

I would take my Escape 2 tracking up north but would have to be carefull as theres probably only 8 inches or so of clearance.

If you check into it the jeeps are neat vehicles but dont have a great reliability record.
 
If among just these two, I'd vote for the Ford Escape. My parents had an '04 Liberty Limited. And while they never really had any reliability issues with it, they turned out to like it far less than they thought they would. NVH is pretty poor in those, so if you like a refined ride, that's not it. They even swapped their 17" wheels for 16" wheels off a regular Liberty to gain a better ride, and that was successful to some degree. They're not all that space-efficient, with narrow footwells reminiscent of the older Cherokee. They would definitely be more capable in the woods than an Escape. Just depends on what you're looking for.

The Escape has it all over the Jeep as far as refinement and interior packaging. It's a FWD platform to begin with, so you don't have the huge transmission or driveline tunnel. That's a big plus right there, if you're interested in people room. The ride is also far more car-like. Again, it just depends on what you're looking for.
 
the liberty has more of a truck platform on a unibody,conventional transfer case.

the escape is more of a car chassis being front wheel drive.
 
Going off road? Liberty!

Going to work? Escape!

My daughter drives an escape that her company furnishes and despite being a stripper model it seems pretty nice on the road.
 
Unless you are doing a lot of off-roading, the Escape all the way.

When the wife and I were looking for a small SUV, we considered Jeep Liberty's, but just read too any bad things about their reliability. I'm not sure we were getting the full picture, but the Escape/Tribute did seem to have more satisfied owners.

We love out Tribute, and honestly wouldn't trade it for the world. It's not a hard-core SUV, but for a 'higher up' daily driver, it can't be beat. The Duratec V-6 is smooth and powerful, and gets pretty good mileage. Haven't had any problems with ours in the 6 months we've had it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top