Welcome back! For the fourth and final pairing of our search for an actually decent used car, we’ve got two compact crossover SUVs, which are probably now the most common vehicles on the road, and not at all hard to find in the classifieds. These two are a little less expensive than they might otherwise be, because they both have rebuilt titles from accidents years ago. Does that make them bargains? We’ll see.
Okay, yes, I fully admit that the Mazda 5 yesterday was a ringer. I knew it was going to chew up that Patriot like a dog chews up a squeaky toy. But manual Patriots are uncommon, and I felt like writing about one. Sometimes that’s all the reason I need.
But yeah, if it isn’t rusty underneath, that Mazda looks like a hell of a deal. It has a lot of miles on it, but condition matters a lot more than the number on the odometer. And a six-speed manual in a minivan is too cool of a combination to pass up.
You can’t throw a rock these days without hitting a small crossover SUV. (And you shouldn’t, because they’re easily scratched.) Love ’em or hate ’em, these wagons-in-platform-shoes are popular – because they’re practical. What that means for us cheap-car aficionados is that there are going to be more and more of them available in our price range as time goes by, so we might as well include them here. These are both strictly mall-spec: two-wheel-drive, with automatic transmissions. No off-road adventures here. But not everything has to be an adventure, nor should it; most of the time, what you need from a car is just to get to the damn grocery store and back. These will do that just fine. Let’s check them out.
2005 Ford Escape Hybrid – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.3-liter inline 4 plus electric motor, CVT automatic, FWD
Location: Hansville, WA
Odometer reading: 156,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
The Ford/Mazda relationship bore a lot of offspring over the years, everything from small pickup trucks to sports coupes. When Ford wanted a car-based SUV to fit into its lineup below the Explorer, it paired up with Mazda once again, and came up with this boxy little gem: the Escape. In 2004, Ford licensed designs and patents from Mazda’s rival Toyota to bring the first hybrid SUV to the market – using a Mazda-designed engine. Yes, for the third time this week, we have a Mazda MZR featured, only this time it’s labeled as a Ford Duratec.
The Ford hybrid system works in the same way as Toyota’s: an engine and an electric motor sit at opposite sides of a planetary gear set, and a computer decides how much of which one’s power the wheels receive. A generator recharges a battery pack to complete the package. It’s referred to as a continuously variable transmission, but it’s not that belt-driven nonsense you’re thinking of; these are actually reliable and durable. This one has 156,000 miles on it, but these things were used as taxis, and plenty of them have tripled that mileage or more.
The seller says this car has been reliable during the five years they’ve had it, and they’ve kept up on the maintenance. It was in an accident sometime prior to that, and has a rebuilt title to show for it – but if it has been going strong since then, I don’t see a reason to worry about it. It’s in good condition inside, except for a popped seam on the driver’s seat. A good upholstery shop could probably fix it if it’s that big of a deal.
I always liked the styling of these. I think it has aged well, and I definitely prefer it to the current Escape. Too bad it’s white, though; I’ll never understand why so many people want their cars to match their washing machines. At least it’s clean and rust-free, though the gray plastic bumpers are looking a little old.
2005 Toyota RAV4 – $3,700
Engine/drivetrain: 2.4-liter dual overhead cam inline 4, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Monroe, WA
Odometer reading: 122,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
The Toyota RAV4, along with its rival the Honda CR-V, is pretty much to blame for the whole crossover SUV thing in the first place. Introduced as a cute little two-door with a soft top, it quickly evolved (if that’s the right word) into a four-door wagon style. By the time this second-generation RAV4 was built, the formula was set in stone, and the two-door was no more. Seeing a two-door RAV4 these days is like seeing a photo of your fun college friend before they became a dentist and had kids.
This RAV4 is powered by a 2.4 liter four, the same 2AZ-FE found in that Camry from earlier in the week, with the same hit-or-miss reputation for oil consumption. It’s not Toyota’s biggest “boat anchor” – that would probably be the 3.0 liter V6 from the mid-90s trucks – but it doesn’t have the same carefree reputation for reliability as something like a 4A-FE. It has 122,000 miles on it, and runs just fine, according to the seller. It was purchased for their kid to drive, but the ungrateful little shi – I mean, discerning youth – turned it down, so it’s up for sale again.
Like the Escape, this RAV4 has a rebuilt title from some unknown damage in its past, but like the Escape, it doesn’t seem to matter much. It’s in good condition, with a little wear on the inside, but no real damage. We don’t get much information on its condition in the ad; I wish they had put more effort into presenting the car than telling us what behavior they will and won’t accept from a buyer. But that’s online classifieds these days, I guess.
On the outside, it’s a bit scratched-up, but otherwise clean. The steel wheels could use a coat of paint, including the spare, but that’s easy enough. And I have to say, I really like the color of this one.
These things aren’t exciting, I know, but they are incredibly practical, efficient, and reliable. That’s why they’re popular. And if you’re looking for a sensible used car, if you can’t beat ’em, why not just join ’em?
(Image credits: sellers)
I’m a big Toyota/Lexus fan, but give me the Escape in this comparison. It’s the better looking car imo and seems cleaner, too. If I’m going to drive a Toyota, I don’t want it to be one of their “flops”.
In contrast, the original Escape was a winner, with every engine/trans combo being very reliable. It’s a much better vehicle than the current Escape, which has been blowing engines left and right due to an asinine head design that leaks coolant I to the cylinders. The hybrid battery pack is a risk, admittedly. If this were a regular Escape with the Duratec 4 or V6, it would be even more of a no-brainer. Side note, my neighbor still has a 1st gen Escape with the V6 and its got around 250k miles on it.
Only thing that made me vote RAV4, is maintenance. I’d feel more confident working on a RAV4 myself and being able to find the parts at the local auto-parts store.
This one’s actually a good comparison. I hate white vehicles, but the Ford Escape from this generation and the facelift until 2012 have a great reputation for rock solid reliability, and there are still TONS of them on the road and even for sale, a reliable gauge of said reliability. The Toy engine is…less desirable for me. Gimme the Ford and some fresh black rims (natch).
This was easy…Fix Or Repair Daily sucks despite the Mazda power and I especially don’t like the Exploder body style. Beautiful blue Yota for the win- will just keep up w/ the oil/fix it
A poorly driven RAV4 killed my Saturn SW2 5 speed, I now hate them and all varieties of them. So gimme the Ford, it will be a cheaper ride anyway.
Geez, this is pretty much the Meh Championship of the World. I guess I’ll go for the RAV4 as being a little less meh because it’s not white.
I had a ’09 2AZ-FE Camry that drank oil. It was also a hybrid, and if it didn’t drink oil, I would’ve replaced the battery myself and I’d still be driving it. So Ford for me, and I would replace the battery with a better one.
I also like the style of the OG escape – it was honest, and in AWD/4WD (forget which this actually was), they’re pretty capable for what they are. As it stands, it’s a tall car with extra space. If that’s going to be the thing between the Ford and the Toyota, I’d probably go with the latter.
“but the ungrateful little shi – I mean, discerning youth – turned it down” – Mark Tucker
Yeah that about sums up my generation.
If my parent bought me a RAV4 I would be ecstatic!
I would have drooled for this car to be given to me…BACK IN MY DAY! (shakes cane)
I actually prefer the body design on that Escape versus that RAV4. Seller, too. But for a car I might actually buy and drive, the Toyota gets my vote. The age of the hybrid’s battery bothers me, and I definitely wouldn’t pay to upgrade it.
Rav 4, no contest. If you buy the escape, just go ahead and factor in the cost of a hybrid battery. According to Ford, “Ford hybrid battery life is extensive and lasts around 15 years or 150,000 miles”. The cost for a replacement is about $2,000 if you are comfortable with installing it yourself.
Experience tells us that hybrid batteries last much longer than that in real world use.
It’s definitely something to check, but outright failure of a hybrid battery is very rare unless you don’t check it occasionally, or if you ignore trouble signs.
For many hybrids, refurb is an option for DIYers, too, because it’s usually one or two weak cells in the pack causing trouble. Catch those early and you can get another 50k or more out of the pack. I’m not sure if that’s DIY possible here, though.
I wanted to Rave about the RAV
But it’s the Escape that I’d rather have. 🙂
I’d normally take the Toyota over almost anything because that’s the default choice. Reliability and durability are the prime factors in a used car.
I’d normally reject the Escape over almost anything because they’re garbage. Bad front suspensions and rusting out inside the rear fender at the strut tower is common with these. Rocker panels are fast to go, too.
But the Escape is a hybrid with a Mazda engine, so it’ll probably be more reliable than that Toyota, and the car is in Washington, where rust isn’t a problem for used cars until they’re much older than this.
Tough choice, but I have to go with the hybrid.
I disagree about styling; I don’t think there’s ever been an Escape that looks anything other than dull. Appliance white seems entirely appropriate here. At least in white it’ll be easier to find and treat the rust that’s sure to show up within minutes of bringing it to the midwest.
Agree- I have always thought Escapes were the epitome of Generic CUV.
it’s been the hardest vote to cast this week, but I ended up going with the Escape as those Hybrids are very solid and the fuel economy is about 30% better than the Toyota. But what sealed the deal is the seller is upfront about all the maintenance done and seems like he would be an easier person to deal with. I prefer the Rav4 color, though and styling is a toss-up.
But honestly it looks like you can’t go wrong with either.
I’ll take the Rav4–they’re the border collie of small SUVs–always ready to run!
144 to 144, a perfect 50/50 split!
Kind of a coin toss. White vs blue. Hybrid vs non-hybrid. I voted Escape (Mazda) as the seller would probably be a little easier to deal with.
Oh man. Had I voted the other way it would have been exactly 50/50. I went back and forth here, but eventually went Rav just because it’s a color, though I don’t really know which I would rather have.
I’m voting blue today. Since its an actual color. Its a coin flip either way.
Since it’s the year of the Hybrid so the Escape is getting my vote. I’d probably have more fun in the Patriot from yesterday though.
This one is a bit of a coin toss. I had to go with the RAV4 mainly on mileage, price, not being a salvage title hybrid, and just being a bit more partial toward a Toyota instead of a Ford (burned too bad too many times by Fords, complete opposite experience with Toyotas).
As I said in a reply, I’m forced to base my choice entirely on what’s presented on this site and assume any details not covered are equal.
The RAV4 is an actual color! That’s like a unicorn in CUV context. Wins automatically based on that.
Just ditch those very unnecessary running boards, LOL!
That would be the very first order of business with the RAV – what a pointless, unnecessary add-on.
They do make it easier to muddy one’s pant legs, I suppose.
I’d rather slit my wrists.
Yes, but from inside the Escape or the RAV4?
Neither – I’d prefer to bleed out in the strip mall parking lot of disappointment, hopelessness and failed lives.
both of these are perfectly suited to get you to that strip mall of despair…. so vote for one while you sharpen your knife.
I would prefer to leave something of value to the world.
Neither of them are that.
Like this generation of Escape so it immediately got my vote. The styling has definitely grown on me
Me too. It has that “the S is for ‘sport'” look that was still common in SUVs at that point, before everything got all serious-looking, either stodgy grocery getters or antisocial brutes.
Going with the Escape cuz hybrid but a little scared of a savage title hybrid. Maybe some of those high voltage wires got pinched in the accident? Plus Frank doesn’t know how to wrench on hybrids but would like to learn.