2011 Ford Escape Performance

Unlike many other sports utility vehicles, the Ford Escape does not boast a very powerful engine. The base level of the 2011 Ford Escape comes standard with a 2.5-liter, four cylinder engine which produces about 175 horsepower. The base model also comes with a five-speed manual transmission, which can be upgraded to a six-speed automatic. The higher level trims also come with the 2.5-iter, four cylinder engine, but the transmission is automatically upgraded to the six-speed automatic.

All trims of the 2011 Ford Escape can be upgraded to a more powerful engine option, which is a 3.0-liter, six cylinder engine which produces almost 240 horsepower. For those looking to tow with their Escape, the upgrade may be a necessity, but the average driver should be find with the standard base engine.

Due to the less powerful engine, compared to other SUVs, the Ford Escape is one of the most fuel efficient SUVs available. When combined with the standard front-wheel drive, the four-cylinder engine option will net about 22 miles per gallon when driving in the city and 28 miles per gallon when driving on the highway and using the manual transmission. When the transmission is upgraded to the six-speed automatic, fuel efficiency falls off by about 5%. When the Escape is upgraded to the V6 engine, fuel efficiency falls off to about 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. Both the four-cylinder and the six-cylinder engine options receive about 10% lower fuel efficiency when coupled the optional all-wheel-drive.