For 2003, Ford has expanded the Escape model lineup from two trim levels to three. XLS starts at $18,800 with front-wheel drive (2WD) and at $21,895 with four-wheel drive (4WD). XLT begins at $22,335 with 2WD and at $23,960 with 4WD. New for 2003 is the Limited, at $25,460 with 2WD and $26,910 with 4WD.
The base XLS comes with a high level of standard equipment that includes air conditioning, illuminated remote entry, power windows and mirrors, a tilt steering column, center console, 15-inch steel wheels and an AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system with a clock. Power for the XLS comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Zetec engine producing 130 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque. XLS shifts gears with a standard five-speed manual transmission. A 3.0-liter, 201-horsepower Duratec V6 and four-speed automatic are offered as an option.
XLT comes standard with the Duratec V6 and automatic transmission. XLT also gets four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), premium cloth upholstery, a power driver's seat, privacy glass, a power moonroof, cruise control, a cargo cover and convenience net, fog lights, an in-dash six-CD changer, and white-letter P235/70R16 tires on16-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels.
The Limited comes with premium leather seats, seat heaters, front side-impact air bags, dual front sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated exterior mirrors, Ford's Reverse Sensing System and a MACH Audio in-dash six-CD changer with automatic volume control. From the outside, you can spot a Limited by its monochrome exterior, with body-color cladding, fascias, moldings, door handles and liftgate trim; and by its bright machined 16-inch aluminum wheels.
Option packages are available for each trim level. For example, the XLT Premium Package ($1230) includes leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 60/40 split rear bench seat, front door map pockets, an overhead console with dual storage bins, a front passenger under-seat storage tray, and a power moonroof with sunshade.
New for 2003 is the XLT Appearance Package, which includes glossy Dark Shadow Gray bumper fascias and side cladding, machined bright aluminum 16-inch wheels and Dark Shadow Gray step bars.
Also new is a limited edition XLT called Midnight. The Midnight Escape features gloss black paint on fascias, body cladding and wheel-lip moldings. A unique black trim treatment and ebony Nudo leather-trimmed seats complement the all-black exterior. Midnight comes loaded with side-impact air bags, a MACH MP3 music system, and 16-inch bright, machined aluminum wheels with high-gloss black accents and silver center caps. Midnight options include side-step bars and a trailer-towing package. Ford expects to build no more than 5,000 Midnight Escapes, priced $24,995 for the 2WD version, and $26,445 for the four-wheeler.