Good question, I dunno. I am just going off what the website says.
But enipla is quoting the AWD mileage and I am quoting the FWD, that may make up some of the difference, maybe a few added/missing components in each country, different test vehicle configurations, could be anything. Maybe they run leaner on average here cause it’s so fucking cold in winter
My wife has the AWD Escape, which is identical to the Tribute. There is no way in hell you’re getting 32 mpg in it. Not even in Canadian gallons. Not with the V6. Maybe with the 4-cyl engine, but then I doubt you’re going to be towing 2,500 lbs with it.
What kind of mileage does she get?
17, maybe 21 on the highway. These are US Gallons, but still, you’d need a 50% boost and then some to get to your goal. Have you read any reviews of people who have actually driven these cars long term and reported on their mileage? That would be the best way to judge, in my experience.
Maybe my google-fu has soured, but I have tried. All I find are car ads, and ebay gibberish.
Which is why I asked my fellow Dopers.
Ford, could you provide a link to the Canadian site you are using for MPG?
I have an '06 Pathfinder. EPA est is 20 highway. I get 19. But, I’m driving at very high elevations and over mountain passes. The one thing that does help my mileage is the speed limits around here are 50mph.
You got it.
Here is the Tribute Specs
Use this to do the conversion
Ah. I thought you where looking at a site that had the MPG for cars selected already coverted to imperial gallons.
Looking back to your OP, and as you where looking for opinions. I think the Nissan Murano might also be worth looking at.
You are looking for opinions. IMHO, Nissan gives a lot of bang for the buck. I’m on my second Pathfinder, and couldn’t be happier with it.
Some Canadian sites have both, it’s hit and miss.
You are the second person to recommend Nissan, one of my co-workers has an Xterra and is quite happy with it too. I don’t think it meets the towing desire, but I may buy a cheap beater truck for that need, which is sporadic anyway, to meet my other goals.
I’ve got an Escape, and love it. I don’t think it gets quite the mileage you’re looking for, but it’s not bad. Maybe a little worse than a mid-sized sedan, but not by much.
I suggest you look for a 2003 model. Shortly after that, Ford made a couple of changes, both to the vehicle’s detriment. The first is that they changed the engine - the new one is supposed to have the same power, but it either doesn’t or it makes less torque or the peak power has shifted too high. It’s over a second slower than the 2003 0-60. The second is that they took the shifter off the stalk and put it on the floor. It looks ‘sportier’, I guess, but you lose storage space and leg room a bit.
Get a 2003 with low mileage, and you’re good to go. It’ll look identical to a new one, Escapes/Tributes are quite reliable, and you’ll pay half to a third of the money. Mine doesn’t even have any visible wear on the interior or anything - the materials are quite rugged. It looks brand new and drives like it’s brand new.
Thanks Sam, that’s good advice, and it fits well with A.R. Cane’s concerns too.
I do like the look of them too.
Maximum towing with the Pathfinder is 6000 lbs
Maximum towing on the Xterra is 5000 lbs
Maximum on the Murano is 3500 lbs
Myself, especially because of where I live would not try tow 6000 lbs with my Pathfinder (or at least not very often, elevation and mountain passes can be a bitch). But I did just tow 3200 lbs with out complaint.