They are ok cars but have a weak automatic transmission that goes out around 120k miles. 

https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/help-2009-ford-escape-xlt/

https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/older-generation-ford-escape-2005-2012/

(This is the next generation but answers still apply, its basically the same reliability wise)

They have particuarly horrible automatic transmissions. I wouldn't recommend anyone to buy one. Otherwise they are OK. Definitely don't get the hybrid variants.

FWIW, check out some of the carcomplaints data...

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Escape/2008/

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Escape/2005/

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Escape/2003/

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Escape/2004/

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Escape/2006/

"They’re definitely not as well made as a Toyota RAV4 or a Honda CR-V." Yeah, not even close. The only way I could recommend this car would be if its dirt cheap and a mechanic says the transmission is in good shape. I can't even imagine how many transmissions commerical ones in NYC have gone through...