2008 Chicago Auto Show: 2009 Ford Escape Preview Nevada

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What it is

2009 Ford Escape Preview - 2008 Chicago Auto Show: It's like that party Uncle Bert had when you graduated from beauty school. Sure, not a lot of people came or seemed to care, but those who did will get free haircuts forever! For those who were there to see the recently announced upgrades to the Ford Escape, they may not get free haircuts...but they did get to be the first to know about Ford's powertrain upgrades and new capless fueling system. The important thing, of course, is the power upgrade: 30 more horsepower (to 230) from the V-6, and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 170 horsepower. Ford also upgraded the transmission from four to six-speeds. Other changes included some slight mods to the front fascia. Now all they have to do is fix that interior, and who knows? Perhaps the Escape will flee the doldrums of slow sales and consumer neglect.

Why it Matters

More and more of us are opting for crossovers rather than minivans and SUVs, so the category that the Escape once shared with a select few is burgeoning with new arrivals. To remain competitive, Ford needed to update its five-passenger rig with features important to buyers, namely power and refinement, without sacrificing fuel economy. As truck and large SUV sales continue to decline, the appeal of the Escape crossover becomes increasingly important to Ford's bottom line.

What's Under the Hood

Ford will offer the 2009 Escape with two engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that replaces the outgoing 2.3-liter version, and a 3.0-liter V-6 that now pushes 230 horsepower versus 200 horses for the 2008 model. The four-banger boasts 170 horsepower, 166 lb.-ft. of torque, a slight gain in fuel economy, variable-valve timing, and will serve as the base engine for the Escape Hybrid, which Ford claims constitutes more than 12 percent of all Escape sales. Also new for 2009 will be a six-speed automatic transmission, a refined suspension system including a new 18.5-mm rear stabilizer bar, and for hybrid versions, a smoother regenerative braking system.

What It Looks Like

Recognizing the differences between the 2008 and 2009 Ford Escape will be pretty darn difficult, given that they're almost non-existent. Slight modifications have been made to lower body panels to improve aerodynamics, and the Escape rolls on different tires.

What Ford Says

Sue Cischke, Ford's senior vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, says "Ford Motor Company is increasing fuel economy and cutting greenhouse gas emissions with affordable technologies for millions of customers. In the near term, we will leverage existing technologies to achieve those goals, including advanced engines and multi-speed transmissions.  The 2009 Escape and Mariner are great examples of how we're delivering today. More than ever, the Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid are the ultimate vehicles for commuters in the daily battle with urban traffic congestion."

What We Think

Among a vast sea of competitive models, we haven't been terribly impressed by the Escape in recent years. It's a fine vehicle, but the materials, engines, and lack of innovative features have left us wanting, especially when compared to younger alternatives. The 2009 model's boost in power and refinement will address these issues head on, though a complete redesign might've had the best chance of propelling the Escape to the front of the pack. With that said, the Hybrid model is a good little driver, with adequate power and commendable fuel economy. The changes for '09 should make this particular Escape even better.

By Staff
Photos courtesy of: Thom Blackett and Ford

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