Ford Escape at 0% for 60 months could be interesting. I don't think they are very bad vehicles, especially with the Mazda 2.3L... but yeah, there are better options.
Now there is a recipe for negative equity. According to the Black Book values, a 1-year-old Escape XLT AWD auto depreciates to 59% of MSRP (from $32.3K to $18.9K). Yes, you'll get a large discount from MSRP from Ford.
Over that same year, the CR-V EX will depreciate to 80% of MSRP (from $31.9K to $25.7K). In other words, almost in-line with the payments over 60 months, even though you can't get 0% on a CR-V.
Even assuming you can get an extra $2K off the Escape, why would anybody buy one?
A bit of Santa Fe defense:
The resale value arguement doesn't hold much water, if that is your primary buying motive.
Canadian Black Book lists for Sept 2005 a 2004 Honda CR-V LX extra clean at $23,500, and a 2004 SFe GL AWD at $22400.00. $1100 difference. '03 there is a $1350 difference, and $2900 for '02's.
$2900 after 4 model years.
Then look at what a CRV costs you VS a Santa Fe.
2006 CR-V SE auto is $31995 with freight and pdi, finance that at 5.9% for 60 months and after tax principal and interest you pay $42,200.00
A S'Fe GL AWD runs $28250++($29500 frt and pdi inc) and has 0% financing. Total $33660.00. That's an $8540 difference in Hyundai's favour. The new Hyundai cannot be dismissed on resale value alone. It just doesn't hold water. Four years of resale history refutes that.
Now this by no means is a dis on the CRV. But the consumer in this comparision can really make a decision on what is most important. His personal likes/dislikes on both vehicles without the resale question clouding the issue.
Many really like the looks of the Santa Fe. It was a mold breaker vs the standard two box bread box design pioneered by the Cherokee and definitely carried on by the CrV. Others think it looks like a pillowcase full of doorknobs. Choice is good, and along with the Tucson (which I agree might be a good alternate) the consumer cannot complain about lack thereof.