It seems that the V6 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute are about the least expensive tugs with 3500 pound towing capacity. Are there any significant differences? Are they made on the same assembly lines?

Ron
Vancouver, BC

I think it is only look and feel that is different, the power train was the same in 2008, not sure about the new ones since Ford changed the transmission.

They are off the same assmbly line in the Ford plant in Kansas - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_Assembly

I'm not sure the engine/transmissions are the exact same.

The Lemonaid guide says that people rate the Tribute as giving them less troubles. Your millage may vary.

regards,
Edmond

I would check for reliability and maintenance expenses too. To me, higher initial cost often means lower cost in the long run... One way around this, in my opinion, is to consider slightly used, and perhaps invest $6 in a one-month Consumer Reports subscription.

The Escape and Tribute are exactly the same, with only minor styling differnces. The U.S. also had the Mercury Mariner which is also identical.

My 07 Escape tows our 1800 lb Trillium 4500 just fine. I have the 3.0 litre V6 with factory tow package. I get about 25 mpg (imperial) in daily use and about 20 mpg towing the trailer. It's been as reliable as the Toyota and Honda I've had before. The only thing that annoys me is that the vehicle (like all SUV's) is not holding its value. I'm not sure what to do when the lease comes due in November and its not worth its buyback. I'm thinking of either just absorbing the loss and buying it out - after all it is a 60 or 65,000 km 3 year old car that has been driven gently and been well looked after, or turining it back in and getting a 4 cylinder Toyota Venza.

Consumers Reports says they are the same vehicle. Reliability ratings are also the same. For small pickups they are right in the middle of the ratings. The best are Ridgeline, Tacoma, Frontier. Then the Ford and Mazda are listed. The bottom of the list is Colorado, Canyon, Explorer Sport Trac, and Dakota.

Man, I'm getting old. I looked at the wrong chart, small pickups rather than small SUVs. The Escape - Mariner - Tribute V6 FWD models are in 8th place and the V6 AWD are in 14th place of 25 models. The list in order of best to worst reliability is Element, FJ, RAV4, CRV, Tucson 4, Sportage, Rogue, Escape 6 FWD, Outlander, Tucson 6, Patriot, Escape 4, Xterra, Escape 6 AWD, Forester, Equinox, Sorento, Torrent, Liberty 6, Vue 4 FWD, Grand Vitera, Wrangler, XL7, Nitro, Vue 6 AWD.

Tom, I just shook my head when you listed those pickups. But the new list you provided is very useful. Thank you.

Ron

Test drove a new Escape. Drove like a truck - vague steering. Uncomfortable seats, too.

Test drove a RAV4. Drove like a car. Better (not great) seats. Much better reviews. Decent deal. Bought it.

Still seven weeks before I get my trailer, though. Can't wait.

Thank you for the feedback.

When we went shopping for an SUV in 2002 we tried the Escape and RAV 4. I liked the RAV 4, but it didn't have hardly any towing capacity at the time, and we just plain didn't like the Escape at all. Sat in it for a short bit and didn't even take it for a test drive. Wound up getting a Hyundai Santa Fe, which we still have and still like.

I thought they were built in Hermosillo, Sonora

If you ever get to the point that you think you need Consumer Reports to inform your next purchase, then It is time to find a knowlegeable person to advise you, or just buy what you like the looks of.
Consumer reports is clearly and extremely biased and can be trusted even less than the average automotive magazine.
The good news is... buying the one you like the best at least makes the maintenance costs more palatable and increases the possibility of keeping it longer, thereby reducing replacement costs.