Ford Escape 
This compact SUV from Ford remains unchanged for 2012. It’s also worth noting that its twin, the Mazda Tribute, has been discontinued. Featuring a 4-cylinder engine, manual transmission and FWD, the XLT versions come at a very good price. However, buyers can choose to tack on some handy options, such as AWD and a V6 engine. If you’re looking for reasonable fuel consumption, go for the Hybrid. The Escape will soon be replaced by a more modern model.
Pros
- Decent dimensions
- Nice selection of engines
- Hybrid version
- Competitive prices
- Balanced road handling
Cons
- Exterior is showing its age
- High fuel consumption (V6)
- Some controls should be revisited
- Soundproofing needs improvement
