I've only driven an Escape once, as a test drive, (we were looking to replace my wife's Ford Explorer). I thought it was responsive, handled nice, but the ride quality wasn't any better than the Jeep wrangler I drive daily. I also thought the interior materials on the "light" side, not enough padding in the seat even though I could find a comfortable position. It also didn't offer several options that I wanted (compass, built in garage remote, 5000lb towing capacity) We went and looked at the Jeep Liberty. It was also a responsive handling vehicle and it actually rode better (like it weighed more) plus it offered all the options we were looking for and had a 5000lbs tow rating. The interior materials where more or less the same, but I felt the seat had more padding. I think you'd get more truck for the money buying the Liberty, but then I admit to being a Jeep person. I was also trying to replace an Eddie Baur Equipped Explorer, the Escape can't come close but with the available options in the Liberty we could. I would take mom the jeep dealer and let her drive the liberty. You might also consider an Explorer. I really like them, we're on our 5th one. (I've had a '91, '93, '96, '99, and now a 2000)
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