The 2011 Ford Escape comes with three engine options, including a hybrid. For most drivers, the sporty compact SUV’s base engine should be enough, but the V6 has more power and better towing capacity.
Key Points
- The 2011 Ford Escape offers three engine options: a 2.5L inline-four-cylinder, a 3.0L V6, and a hybrid powertrain based on the same inline-four.
- The base 2.5L four-cylinder outputs 171 horsepower and can tow up to 1,500 pounds. Delivers a maximum city/highway mpg of 23/28.
- The 177 horsepower 2.5L hybrid sees a dramatic improvement in efficiency, offering 34/31 city/highway mpg. But towing capacity takes a hit at 1000 pounds.
- The 3.0L V6 produces 240 horsepower and 223 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful engine in the 2011 Escape’s lineup. The V6 is a bit thirsty but can tow up to 3,500 pounds if equipped with the towing package.
- The NHTSA has launched two investigations into the 2011 Escape’s faulty electronic throttle body. It affects all the available engines and causes a sudden loss of power.
Standard 2.5L Inline-four isn’t the Most Refined but Gets up to 28 mpg on the Highway
The 2011 Ford Escape comes with a naturally aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder as the standard engine option. This powerplant puts out 171 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque with the option of a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. You also get the choice of either FWD or AWD.
In terms of performance, 0-60 mph happens in 9.2 seconds in the Escape FWD and drops to 8.8 seconds if equipped with AWD. Also, the 2.5L isn’t the most refined, owing to its efficiency-driven setup. However, it does offer a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, on par with other compact utilitarians like the 2011 Honda CR-V and 2011 Toyota RAV4.
As for fuel economy, the FWD manual is the most efficient, getting a maximum of 23 city/28 highway mpg. The figures drop to 21/27 mpg city/highway in the FWD automatic, while the 2011 Ford Escape AWD (automatic only) gets 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.
Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2011 Ford Escape has three recalls, four investigations, and over 1,000 complaints registered. None of the recalls are engine-related. However, two out of the four investigations delve into the SUV’s faulty electronic throttle body. This causes a sudden loss of power, which a lot of owners complained about prior to the NHTSA’s investigation.
If you are looking to replace the 2.5L in a 2011 Ford Escape, used engines cost between $900 to $1,000, excluding labor.
2.5L Four-cylinder Hybrid Offers a Generous Boost in Fuel Economy Over the Base Engine
The 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid gets the same 2.5L, but with the help of an electric motor, the combined output now stands at 177 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is greener too, offering 34 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
Just like the base 2.5L engine, you can pair this to an AWD or simply have it powering the front wheels only. There is also a small performance increment; 0-60 mph takes nine seconds. That’s two-10ths quicker than its gasoline-only counterpart.
However, the difference in torque over the base 2.5L results in the hybrid getting a lower towing capacity at 1,000 pounds. Also, the only available transmission is a CVT, which is mildly disappointing.
The rest of the story is basically the same, including the engine’s refinement, common problems, replacement costs, and oil capacity.
3.0L V6 is the Smoothest to Drive, has More Power and Better Towing Capacity
The naturally aspirated 3.0L V6 produces 240 horsepower and 223 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful engine in the 2011 Escape’s lineup. Transmission options are limited to a six-speed automatic, but you get to choose between FWD and AWD.
The 3.0L Ford Escape manages 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds, and the number improves by a second when equipped with AWD. Plus, it’s far better than the 2.5L when it comes to noise levels and refinement. Also, the drive is smoother, and the engine doesn’t feel stressed when you floor it.
Thanks to its additional power, the 3.0L V6 can tow up to 3,500 pounds if equipped with the towing package.
Fuel economy does take a hit. The 2011 Ford Escape 3.0L V6 FWD delivers 19 city/25 highway mpg whereas the AWD model gets 18 city/ 23 highway. As for problems, the electronic throttle body issue is found in the V6 as well.
Additionally, there have been reports of engine misfiring and the check engine light randomly turning on.
When it comes to oil capacity, the 3.0L V6 takes six quarts with a viscosity of 5W-30. As for replacement costs, used engines range between $500 to $1500, depending on the mileage.
All Three Engine Options have Perks, but Overall, the Base 2.5L is the Best
Which 2011 Ford Escape should you get? We’ll take the V6 for its power and towing capacity. But, for someone looking at an efficient commuter, the 2.5L hybrid fits the bill perfectly.
However, for most people, the base 2.5L should be enough. Though it’s a bit down on economy vs. the hybrid, it will be cheaper to maintain in the long run. Keep in mind that a Ford Escape can last anywhere from 150,000 miles to 200,000 miles or even longer when taken care of.
Photos: Ford
