2017 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Premium vs 2017 Ford Escape SE 2.0L Ecoboost

[Childs]

Kinda looking for a stop gap car, and I think I narrowed it down to the turbo Subaru and Escape. I dont like the look or power of the CR-V or RAV4. If I go with a Forester, it would be pretty much the standard 2.0XT Premium with no options. The Escape would require SE appearance package, Tech package (Sync 3), panoramic moon roof and 2.0L upgrades. The price difference looks like it'll be around $2-3K more for the Escape, and thats without 4WD.

So does anyone have either or have any thoughts as to one vs the other?

 

[master_shake_]

the santa fe has a better warranty than the subby.

the ford is a ford.

the santa fe also has a turbo AWD option.

 

[Childs]

I'm not ready to buy a Korean car. I even think the Kia and Hyundai SUVs look the best, but I just can't do it yet. Maybe in 10 years.

 

[master_shake_]

have you ever driven a car with a CVT transmission?

 

[NutBucket]

Subaru has the best CVT implementation, period.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Ford is giving massive discounts on the Escape's - Prolly worthwhile to upgrade to the Titanium trim as it will be tough finding a SE with the Pano Roof.

The 2017 CRV is all new - comes with a 1.5L Turbo engine now and is the lightest of the bunch.

 

[Demo24]

Subaru has been out for some time now, not really much going for it but awd. Escape was recently updated, so that's got some nice improvements.

Give Mazda, cx5, a look.

Also the new crv hits the dealer lots in December and that will probably be the best one in the class when it hits, especially with the new turbo engine.

 

[Childs]

have you ever driven a car with a CVT transmission?

No, but I dont drive aggressively anymore so I dont think it'll be that bad. I have a V8 Challenger now so I was already resigned to the fact that it wont be the same. I was going to hit the dealer for test drive once I narrowed it down. I have a tendency to get lazy/impulsive and buy the first one I test drive or settle feature wise at the first dealer I go to. I dont do window shopping well unless its online.

I didnt know the CRV was getting updated soon, I thought it was done for this year. Maybe I'll wait to see what its like. Depends on what the Costco deal is on the Forester. The thing thats appealing with the Forester is the cargo space, visibility, hp/torque, panoramic moonroof and AWD. The moonroof always seems to make things more difficult package wise, but its standard on Premium and up on the Forester.

The CX-5 was the first I thought of since I had the original Mazda 3 for awhile and liked it, but I dont like the look of the front of the CX-5. I know its superficial, but I'll have to look at it every day for the next 3-4 years.

 

[Childs]

New CRV will also have CarPlay/Android Auto...one less package to get. And the 1.5 turbo doesnt "recommend" premium fuel. Probably will wait for it before making a decision.

 

[NutBucket]

Forget Costco. You'll get a better deal negotiating directly with a dealer. Or, if you're up for a roadtrip you could buy from a volume dealer like Heuberger in CO Springs and save a bundle. Shipping costs mostly offset the price difference.

Forgot to add, the moonroof is awesome. I'm very sad they did away with the panoramic roof on the Outback. Not sure what they were thinking.

 

[Childs]

Yeah I found out when I got the Costco quotes. The deals on the Escape were a couple thousand more than if I drove 20 miles to Fremont. The local Subaru dealer said Magnetic Gray in 2.0XT Forester was too rare, and to drive to Oakland to check one out then come back and do the deal with him. lol

 

[NutBucket]

They're all full of it and want to sell you what's on the lot. Generally, finding XT Premiums isn't that easy as most dealers order Touring trim.

 

[deathBOB]

Forester.

The escape is cramped inside and I wasn't impressed by the ride when I drove one. The forester isn't particularly spirited but it's roomy and rides well. Handling is competent and the cvt is unobtrusive.