Small SUV - Ford Escape
Price: $21,215 - $27,685
Mileage: 23 City / 28 Hwy
Small SUVs are another tough category full of new entries. The Escape -- which hasn't had a major redesign in many years -- was not among the top overall scorers, said Consumer Reports' Jake Fisher.
Engines are a particular issue. The Escape's four-cylinder engine is noisy, Fisher said, and the V6 is thirstier than its competitors.
The Escape does win points though, for its overall functionality and high crash-test scores. The Hybrid also scored higher.
