The long-running Ford Escape remains competitive in a hotly-contested segment that has grown considerably in recent years.

The Ford Escape was developed in partnership with Mazda (known as the Tribute), which has given it a more athletic and livelier feel than it might have had with Ford’s touches alone. It’s one of the most fun and easy-to-drive small SUVs on the market; this car-like ride quality and handling that will appeal to buyers wanting more comfort from their utility vehicle.

The Escape, now six years into its current generation, is getting close to needing a major overhaul. As a result, Ford has only made minor changes to the 2007 model, which include a Silver Appearance Package, a shift in colors and options for the XLT Sport and Limited trims, and an increase in the powertrain warranty coverage to five years/60,000 miles.

The Ford Escape competes with the Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-7, and Toyota RAV4. It is targeted at car buyers that want a comfortable, car-like ride with the space and capability of a sport-utility.