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Tags: 2009 Ford Escape, first drive

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2009 Ford Escape - First Drive
Four-dollar-per-gallon gasoline may be wreaking havoc on sales of the Mustang, F-150 and Explorer, but it comes along at a convenient moment for the facelifted 2009 Escape and Mariner. Six-speed automatics replace four-speed automatics, there's a new lower front chin spoiler below the redesigned front fascia and rear tire spoilers for better aerodynamics, and new low rolling resistance 16-inch Michelin tires across the board. The old 153-horsepower 2.3-liter four has been bored and stroked (among other upgrades) to a 171-horsepower 2.5-liter, and the 3.0-liter V-6 gets new cylinder heads, injectors, intake and exhaust cams, manifolds and pistons, and a compression ratio bump from 10.0:1 to 10.3:1.

So now the V-6 actually has a V-6-like horsepower number, up 40 ponies to 240. Both engines get intelligent variable valve timing. The hybrid gets the new 2.5-liter, too, and for '09 runs on the Atkinson cycle. It has a new engine processor and a new powertrain damping system, to cut vibrations and feedback.Ford anticipates EPA mileage will be up 1-mpg city, 1-mpg highway, whether you get the four, the V-6 or the hybrid. The biggest change, though, is that you no longer have to buy one of the bottom-feeder trim levels to get four-cylinder fuel economy. The 2.5 is available all the way up to the Escape Limited and Mercury Mariner Premier versions. Small engines are big now, even with buyers who can afford more. Ford even removed the "V-6" badge from so-equipped '09 models as if it has become a badge of extravagance and disregard for the environment and global oil supply.

That makes the extra 18 horses for the four-banger the most important improvement. The 171-horse Escape isn't a rocket. It's simply an adequate engine in a smallish crossover, the right vehicle for those who like to ride higher than in cars, carry a few things and manage 21/27 mpg (FWD) or 20/25 (AWD), assuming the EPA backs up Ford on its estimates. Ford says about 45 percent of buyers choose four-cylinder models, virtually unchanged since the first Escape launched as a '01 model. Now that the new four is close to the fours in the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 for refinement, and packs in five extra horses, the "take rate" ought to zoom well past the V-6. Read Article
2009 Ford Escape - First Drive



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Threepoint1415926Threepoint1415926 - 5/15/2008 6:10:49 PM
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I actually like the new escape. I think it's better all around than both the CRV and RAV-4 and may consider getting one for the significant other. Just wish the V-cross was still around :(

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adamsaf723adamsaf723 - 5/15/2008 6:25:39 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Ford did pretty good on this one.

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t_bonet_bone - 5/15/2008 7:53:58 PM
-3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I think its pretty dumb, from a mileage point-of-view, to sell an SUV for an inefficient but cramped cute-ute. Even a hybrid.

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cpruittcpruitt - 5/15/2008 8:08:57 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I agree this one did catch my eye a bit! I'm not sure if I could actually buy one, but if you're in the market for something of this nature, it definitely has to be considered.

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kpaxxkpaxx - 5/16/2008 9:13:49 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
This sport cute is much more pleasant to look at than the RAV or CRV.



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ShredmoShredmo - 5/16/2008 9:31:44 AM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Why is this a stand out compared to the rest in it's class?

-Safety?
-Performance?
-Cargo capacity?
-Towing capacity?
-Off road performance?
-Reliability?
-Re-sale value?
-Looks?
-Technology/innovation?

It is acceptable in most of these areas, but not great in any of them. Nearly all of it's competitiors are acceptable or better in these areas. Many excell in several of these areas too.


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OblivObliv - 5/17/2008 6:44:57 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Id say its very competitive in all categories. And great in a couple, too.


DW1968DW1968 - 5/18/2008 3:37:56 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I'm going to get me one. A hybrid one. I just hope they offer a silver color this year; they only offered a dark grey, in the past. I agree that none of the small hybrid utes stands out in any particular way, but I like the trend/potential of alternative fuels, and since I need a new car anyway, I plan to support the industry in moving toward this general direction.

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