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Small SUVs
- Best compact SUV overall 2011 Chevrolet Equinox *Est. $22995
- Sportiest compact SUV 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan *Est. $23720
- Best small luxury SUV 2012 Audi Q5 *Est. $35200
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2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
- Best fuel economy of any SUV
- Top crash ratings
- Smooth transition between gas and electric power
- Sync infotainment option
- Premium price for hybrid
- Mediocre performance, braking and handling
- Noisy engine
- Complex folding rear seats
Free Price Quote for 2009 Ford Escape HybridThe 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid is a compact SUV that can claim the honor of being the most fuel-efficient SUV available -- along with its platform-sharing sibling hybrid, the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid (Base MSRP: $29,750 to $31,500). A third sibling, the 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid (Base MSRP: $28,175 to $32,445) is available in California only and in limited numbers (300 vehicles). The Escape/Mariner Hybrids get a larger, more powerful four-cylinder engine, now a 2.5-liter, matched with two electric motors/generators for a combined powertrain rating of 177 horsepower. The hybrid powerplant can run on electric power alone at speeds of up to 40 mph, an increase of 15 mph over last year, according to Ford. Reviewers are impressed with the seamless transition between electric and gas-driven modes, an improvement over the previous hybrid system. EPA fuel economy ratings are 34/31 mpg city/hwy for the front-wheel drive version and 29/27 mpg for an all-wheel-drive variant. The best mileage from a non-hybrid 2009 Ford Escape (Base MSRP: $20,100 to $27,330) is 22/28 mpg. The additional cost for the hybrid may not pay off unless gas prices are very expensive, many reviews emphasize.
The pricey Escape Hybrid is much improved for 2009, with a smoother ride and better quality interior materials, reviews say. But it still comes up short in performance and quality compared with some non-hybrid competitors that are in a similar or lower price range, such as the 2009 Honda CR-V (Base MSRP: $21,095 to $28,795) and 2009 Toyota RAV4 (*Est. $21,500 to $27,810). However, reviews are more likely to recommend the Escape Hybrid over the less sophisticated "mild-hybrid" 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid (Base MSRP: $27,930) or more expensive 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Base MSRP: $34,700 to $41,020).
Edmunds.com offers a comprehensive summary review, as well as a separate, more detailed test-drive evaluation. Additional well-written test-drive reports are found at Cars.com, the Chicago Tribune and TheTruthAboutCars.com. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Escape its Top Safety Pick honor for crash-test results.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com editors have no complaints about the Escape Hybrid's engine power, commenting that the vehicle "feels like it's powered by a sprightly V6." They also say, "Ride quality is fine for this class, but handling is a bit of a letdown." They criticize the long braking distances and Ford's decision to use rear drum brakes for 2009.
Review: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Review, Editors of Edmunds.com
2. Cars.com
Cars.com staff writer Mike Hanley says that buyers must be committed to paying the extra price for the advantages of the hybrid powertrain in the Ford Escape, and that they must be prepared to live with "archaic rear-seat folding and spotty interior quality."
Review: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, Mike Hanley, Sept. 25, 2008
3. Edmunds.com
This road-test review points out that a "thorough cost-benefit analysis is probably needed" before paying the premium for the hybrid version of the Escape. The writer is pleased with the improved interior quality of the 2009 Escape, but notes, "we can't say the cabin befits its big-ticket price tag." Another complaint: "Folding the split rear seats down is a hassle."
Review: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Road Test Review, John DiPietro
4. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The 2009 Ford Escape is one of the few vehicles to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award. Each of the winning vehicles must score ratings of "Good" in frontal and side-impact crash tests, as well as in evaluations of head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts, and each must offer electronic stability control.
Review: Top Safety Picks, Editors of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
ConsumerGuide.com has a general Ford Escape review that includes an evaluation of the hybrid variant. Test drivers averaged 24.5 mpg with a two-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid during hot-weather testing while using air conditioning. They note that "passing response is not strong, especially above 60 mph."
Review: 2009 Ford Escape, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Nov. 13, 2008
6. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Ford Escape with a road-test evaluation and specific reliability history of the Hybrid version, as compiled in large owner surveys. You must be a subscriber to read this report.
Review: 2009 Ford Escape review, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
The Chicago Tribune's auto critic, Jim Mateja, calls the Escape Hybrid's styling rather plain, and he says the new 2.5-liter engine has "a bit more off-the-line vitality, though not quite enough, and it still has too much noise." Mateja reports an average of 34 mpg in 60 miles of mixed driving without the all-wheel-drive system engaged.
Review: Zippy, Thrifty Escape Hybrid Is Truly Politically Correct, Jim Mateja, Nov. 9, 2008
TheTruthAboutCars.com offers strongly opinionated yet highly insightful viewpoints. Reviewer Jonny Lieberman is pleased with the updates to the 2009 Escape Hybrid, commenting, "The Escape's noise, vibration and harshness levels have been reduced significantly."
Review: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Review, Jonny Lieberman, June 2, 2008
9. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
Car and Driver provides a list of the most fuel-efficient SUVs and gives the top spot to the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (and its twins, the Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute). The article is not a full review, although it notes that "these are slow-witted, stiff-riding transport, and the interiors are cheap and tight."
Review: Frugal Utes: The 10 Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs in the U.S., Staff of Car and Driver, July 2008
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