Hang on, what are we choosing from now? The long list of SUVs that fit the budget, or just the Forester and Escape?

If it's from the long list, I'd go for the Montero Sport. Though I'm more biased toward the look of the Fortuner, the Montero Sport has the better all around combination of power and price. Space-wise, better folding option for the 3rd row. Mas sulit yung area for cargo. Downside, if you want to be unique, is that there are a lot of MS's running around the metro.

Between the latter two, it would probably be the Forester. The Escape is a much older unit already. The newer model will not come out anytime soon, and it'll probably need to be evaluated for whatever bugs by the first wave of buyers. But if you can wait that long, you can consider the Escape.