The Ford Escape appeared on the scene just as everyone else was getting into the compact-SUV act, yet it may become the most successful light-duty sport utility vehicle to date. Before the 2001 model year, light SUVs, or "cute-utes," had been successful, but they all fell short in one or more areas that prevented them from runaway success - namely size, power and design. Though well executed, these vehicles' designs were too plain or just too cute - a no-no for a vehicle segment in which image plays a large role.
             Along comes the Escape, combining the lessons of the past, learned through experience with station wagons, minivans and SUVs of all sizes. The Escape has the right size, right look, right power, right handling, right features and right price. In all, the Escape is less cute and more ute. It won't hurt that it's marketed by a company that has sold more SUVs than any other.
             The sections of this cars.com Vehicle Profile detail the Ford Escape's pros and cons, and compare it to the venerable Japanese models that created the compact SUV category.
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