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By Ford Company
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Strengths: |
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Smooth ride and handling; fuel efficiency (four-cylinder and Hybrid); eco-friendly seating material, competitive pricing. |
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Changes: |
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Following a redesign last year, the Ford Escape gets a minor facelift for 2009, with subtle exterior revisions both front and rear. The Escape now benefits from a new capless fueling system and an 18.5-inch rear anti-roll bar. Ford's SYNC communications and entertainment system is available for the first time. Escape Hybrids will get standard stability control with roll control, and are now offered in both base and Limited trim.
But the biggest changes are in the 2009 Escape's powertrain. The old 2.3L 4-cylinder has been replaced by a 2.5L 4-cylinder with intake variable cam timing (IVCT), which generates 170 horsepower--a 17-hp increase over 2008. The new 2.5L engine also makes its way into the Escape Hybrid. Meanwhile, 3.0L V6 Escapes get a 30 hp performance increase thanks to more efficient internal components. In both 4-cylinder and V6-powered Escapes, the 4-speed automatic transmission of old is replaced by a new 6-speed automatic.
Ford claims a 1-mpg improvement in fuel economy for both 4-cylinder and V6 Escapes. |
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Value: |
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The 2009 Ford Escape is one of the most affordable and economical small SUVs, and its carlike ride and handling, along with good maneuverability, make it a solid choice for urban drivers. At the same time, the Hybrid model is one of the lowest-priced hybrids and offers a practical way to "go green."
Ford claims the Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient sport utility vehicle in the world, with an EPA city rating of 34 mpg. |
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Overview: |
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The Ford Escape comes with three different powertrains for 2009, all of them revised significantly from previous years. A 170-horsepower 2.5L 4-cylinder replaces the 153-hp 2.3L, while a 230-horsepower 3.0L ups power by 30 hp in the V6 Escape. The new 2.5L also makes its way into the Escape Hybrid, which pairs it with an electric motor system, battery pack, regenerative braking, and a sophisticated management system to produce 170 hp. Ford claims fuel efficiency has not been affected by the performance boost.
Four-cylinder and V6 models are offered in XLS, XLT and Limited trims, but the hybrid powertrain is only available in a single Hybrid model.
All models, including the Hybrid, offer a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The AWD system can seamlessly deliver more torque to the back wheels as needed before the front wheels slip, and it also serves to enhance stability when cornering by varying torque side to side as well.
A new 6-speed automatic transmission comes standard on all Escape four-cylinder and V6 models, except the base XLS 4-cylinder, which is also available with a five-speed manual. The Hybrid models come with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) system. |
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Average User Rating |
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Overall |
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6
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Styling |
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6
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Comfort |
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4
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Performance |
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7
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Value |
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9
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