 Its very reliable I can say damn good on gas I've grown to love my escape and I don't want another vehicle out there! I replaced the transmission in 2014 which cost me $2000... I was told that the 06 ford escape was the best engine ford has built and yep 5 years strong soon to be 10years old at almost 170,000 miles miner repairs here and there I've learned how to do them myself!