Ford Escape 3.0 V6

Look at the models launched in the last 6-12 months. For starters there's the Hyundai Santa Fe, the LandRover Freelander V6, the new RAV4 and freshened Honda CR-V. Then we've got the Blue Oval Twins - the Mazda Tribute and Ford Escape. Never before has the $30-$40,000 4WD buyer had so much choice - so much quality choice.

CarPoint's just finished a week in a Ford Escape, and walked away eagerly anticipating our turn in the Mazda version. The Ford is the first 4WD we've ever driven that couples good power, decent on-road manners, acceptable levels of off-road ability - while managing to stay away from that 'big 4WD' feel.

Ford's choice of engine - a 3.0 litre Duratec V6 - is a little ripper. It produces 150 kiloWatts of power - just 7kW shy of the 4.0 litre straight six in the Falcon - and is always ready with the berries when you need them. Don't worry about rowing the column-mounted automatic transmission lever - standard on all Escapes - just let it pick the right gear and get on with it. One-up or fully loaded, the Escape is the first small 4WD to get the engine we've always wanted.

The Escape's four wheel drive system operates predominantly in front drive mode, until wheel slip is recorded. Then a viscous coupling diff calls the rear wheels into play. For those serious offroaders, there is a manual override button in the cabin to lock the vehicle in permanent four wheel drive.

Ford has chosen to go with a suspension set up biased towards offroad performance, where Mazda has chosen a more sporty on-road bias. During our time with the Escape we found little to complain about. The suspension absorbs bumps and irregularities as well as you'd rightfully expect, and bodyroll around corners is minimal.

The Escape comes in two specification grades, XLS and XLT. The XLS is the cheaper of the two, at $33,200, and is externally distinguished by the 15 inch steel wheel rims. Standard features include electric windows, remote central locking, power steering, driver and passenger airbags and an engine immobiliser. The pricier XLT is worth the extra $4100, considering you get electric mirrors, a 6-stack CD player, 16inch alloy wheels, cruise control and antilock brakes.

There's a decent amount of headroom and legroom in the front and back seats, and the cargo area's big enough for the monthly shopping load, or a tent and a couple of overnight bags - whatever you prefer.

And that's the story of the Ford Escape. It's one of the best compromise four wheel drives we've seen. It is small enough and nimble enough to not feel out of place in the city, and it has the power and the ability to take on those dirt roads and mountain passes. And it has the room and the equipment to seriously entice those on a budget.