2009 Ford Escape Review | New Ford Escape

MSRP: $20,100.00 - $33,385.00
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2009 Ford Escape Adds Style, Boosts Power

Driving the 2009 Ford Escape [Visit Research Center] is like discovering your favorite type of ice cream sundae now has all kinds of extra, yummy toppings and half the calories.

One of the best selling small SUVs in the U.S., the Escape keeps many of the features that its fans know and love plus adds extra power, a spiffier interior and eco-friendly features.

The power comes from a new power train lineup with a more powerful and fuel-efficient 2.5-liter I-4 engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission. What that means is when you hit the gas you really feel the power of the car. Not that past models didn’t have plenty of pep, but the 11 percent increase in power output gives this version a kick just wasn’t felt in past versions plus gives a tad more EPA – about 1 mpg in city and highway. Ford estimates the EPA will come in at 22-city/28 highways.

Ford reports the braking system is improved and the car has shorter stopping distances. That’s likely true, although it’s tough to tell; Escapes have always had solid braking. I’d liken this to the difference between BETA and VHS. True videophiles could tell the difference in the quality immediately, the rest of us took their word for it. Like it’s older siblings, the new Escape has an ultra tight radius, allowing the driver to ease it into fairly narrow parking slots with little trouble. The large windows give plenty of views with virtually no blind spots. I’m a real lover of the rearview cameras Ford and other automakers offer on some vehicles, but in fairness the Escape doesn’t need it.

The exterior of the new model is a bit more stylish with extra chrome, larger headlights, fog lamps, and a more aerodynamic style. The good news for couples is that the car isn’t so overdone that it will turn off men who want a more macho/truck look.

The interior of the Escape is also more stylish but not in a pimped out or ultra feminine way. Extra dashboard and ambient lighting makes the car not only prettier but easier to contend with at dusk. The cup holders and dash appear to be made of higher-end materials but still look as if they’d be easy to clean if coffee or a soft drink dribbled on them.

Whether the comfort of the seats is due to the newly revised and retuned suspension, the rear stabilizer bar and revised shock absorber tuning, or the seats’ materials is difficult to say. The bottom line is the ride is as comfortable as some SUVs selling for $10,000+ more.

Those who want the room of an SUV but rule it out due to environmental concerns should consider the green extras Ford has put on the gas-powered Escape. Inside that translates to seats that include soy-based foam that conserves resources and reduced CO2 emissions, seat fabrics that are made from 100 percent recycled material. The six-speed engine is more powerful but also 4 to 6 percent more fuel efficient than engines in older models. The redesigned body and tire technology save fuel and a new Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) replaces the hydraulic power steering pump, which also lowers fuel consumption.

As you’d expect, Ford hasn’t skimped on safety and the Escape includes an array of technologies including AdvanceTrac with RSC (roll stability control), which keeps the SUV stable and prevents rollovers, and a Tire Pressure Monitoring system.

The bottom line, though, is the Escape with an MSRP starting at just $21,310, is just a lot of fun to drive thanks to the ride and all the great techno toys now available. SYNC, the in-car communications and entertainment system, Sirius Radio, Voice –Activated Navigation, steering wheels controls – well the list goes on.

It’s a fair bet that even in this tough auto market the Escape will emerge a winner.

Standard safety equipment includes: