Vintage: Mid-2000s
Price Range: $4,000 to $7,000
For those who want the spaciousness of an SUV but don’t need rough-and-tumble off-road capabilities, consider the smallest four-wheel-drive in Ford’s lineup.
The Escape swallows heaps of luggage while still managing over 20 miles per gallon in mixed driving. If you pay a few extra grand, you could nab a hybrid model, which can pull off up to 30 m.p.g. That might be worth it if you’re in an urban center, where gas bills add up quick.
Parents will like: Not having to lend kids their own car for transporting the team/band/tri-fold cardboard posters.
Students will like: Room for sports gear, guitars, and IKEA furniture without excessive fuel requirements.
Downsides: Interior build-quality leaves something to be desired. Poky little engine harnessed by a 4WD transmission makes aggressive highway merges impossible.
