I had to trade in my Mustang because I was expecting my first baby. The Ford Escape has been a great "mom car" so far. I wanted something cute, but practical and it has fit the bill. The car seat fits behind the passenger seat with a decent amount of legroom still left for a passenger. I can fit the diaper bag on the floor behind the passenger seat too! With a baby comes all sorts of baby gear. We can fit our daughter's exersaucer/jumper in the trunk with the full-size stroller folded up when we make a trip to grandma's. I was worried about how my dogs would do riding with the baby, so it's great to have a car that will accommodate my two cocker spaniels in the "trunk" while I can still see them to keep an eye on them without them being able to get too close to the baby. While the extra space is a plus, unfortunately compared to my Mustang I had before the Escape greatly lacks in get up and go. That has been quite an adjustment to my driving style! So far I haven't had any major issues with this vehicle and any complaints are minor. I am a happy new mommy in my Ford Escape!

The vehicle is a 4X4 with 4 wheel drive. This can be turned on manually. The power breaks are very reliable. My main like about this car is the feeling of safety. The power steering has a natural feel to it. The interior has held up really well. The seat covers and trim are still intact. The mirrors are set up well. The power adjustment control is very useful. The dashboard is arranged in a way that is easy to see. My favorite part is the seats. They are comfortable and easy to adjust. There is plenty of legroom and enough headroom. The center console is setup well and has lots of room. The back seat is roomy and comfortable.

I bought this after owning the Ford Fiesta for a year. I had a kid, and the Fiesta was way too small. I didn't want a big SUV, and the Escape was perfect. Still a smaller size but has tons of room. I like that its sporty, and I can get it dirty. The seats recline for easy maneuvering. The gas mileage is good. I've put about 40,000 miles on it myself and haven't had any issues.