2009 Ford Escape - Review

Robert Scardino

Author BIO

I'm a writer stuck in an engineer's brain with a debilitating case of autoholism. While studying at the University of Illinois I discovered my... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Toyota Dealers to Give Away 2010 Prius at Chicago Auto Show
As widely reported yesterday, Toyota has suspended sales of 8 models due to a faulty accelerator... Read More

N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
232ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
9COMMENTS POSTED

13,071 views February 26, 2009

See more photos

I just spent a week in the most fuel-efficient SUV in America and was left beaming with national pride. The Ford Escape Hybrid has the right combination of fuel economy, comfort and utility to compete in the cutthroat compact SUV market. If your household consists of anything less than a married couple, three kids and a dog, the Escape Hybrid may be the right vehicle for you. If you need to tow anything, look elsewhere.

The Escape Hybrid goes up against the class leading Honda CR-V, the infinitely configurable Toyota RAV4, the cult favorite Subaru Forester and GM's Saturn Vue among others. Though it easily bests all of those vehicles in efficiency, it does have some vulnerabilities.

Performance:

Acceleration in the Escape Hybrid is by no means scintillating. Press the pedal to the floor and the 2.5 liter inline four-cylinder buzzes like a hive full of drones protecting their queen. We estimate getting to sixty from a dead stop takes about ten seconds, which is at least competitive...