EmailBest Reviewed
Small SUVs
- Best compact SUV overall 2009 Subaru Forester *Est. $19995
- Most powerful small SUV, third-row option 2009 Toyota RAV4 *Est. $21500
- Sporty compact SUV 2009 Nissan Rogue *Est. $20220
- Fuel-sipping compact SUV 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid *Est. $29645
Get info about new reports and updates
Fuel-sipping compact SUV
- Good fuel economy
- Improved ride quality
- Very quiet hybrid operation
- Comfortable interior with plenty of room
- IIHS Top Safety Pick
- Not as quiet or refined as other compact SUVs
- Cheap interior parts
- Lacks power for passing on the highway
- Brakes sometimes touchy
- Basic design was new for '08, but looks outdated already
- Second-row seat folding is a multi-step procedure
The Ford Escape Hybrid (*est. $29,645 to $33,725) is the fuel-economy champion of the compact SUV class -- or any SUV category, for that matter. For 2009, it receives a new gasoline engine and a variety of beneath-the-skin changes designed to make the small SUV a better driver than the '08 model.
The Ford Escape Hybrid seats five and is powered by the combination of a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and electric motors. This pairing delivers performance to rival some V-6 engines with fuel economy that's better than some small economy cars. Ford's small hybrid SUV earns an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated 34 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined in two-wheel-drive guise. If you opt for the all-wheel-drive version, the fuel-economy numbers drop slightly to 29 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined. This gas-miserly nature places the Ford Escape Hybrid on the EPA's list of the 10 most fuel-efficient vehicles. It outperforms some top economy cars in this respect, never mind the rest of the small SUV class. Like just about every other reputable compact SUV, the Ford Escape Hybrid is a 2009 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick, and it performs very well in government crash tests conducted by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well.
After spending a few days with the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, Cars.com's Mike Hanley says the small SUV's fuel-economy estimates "are easily within reach," adding, "Aside from some hybrid-specific drivetrain characteristics, the Escape Hybrid drives like a conventional small SUV." AutoblogGreen's Sam Abuelsamid comes to the same conclusion, writing, "Ford's engineers have succeeded making this one of the quietest SUVs I've ever driven. On the initial drive from Dearborn back to my Ann Arbor office, the Escape averaged an admirable 32 mpg. A couple of days of mostly around-town driving saw that number climb to a little over 34 mpg." Abuelsamid credits the variety of structural tweaks and updates to the hybrid electronics for this feeling of refinement.
Refined is probably not the best way to describe the Ford Escape Hybrid's interior, which is the subject of reviewer criticism. Cars.com's Hanley says "interior quality remains one of the Escape Hybrid's shortcomings." Jonny Lieberman, writing for TheTruthAboutCars.com, notes that while Ford has made some strides in terms of the Escape's overall interior design, "junky parts-bin drek like the stalks and switches still stink up the joint." The Escape Hybrid's interior does embrace the compact SUV's green image, though. The seats, for example, use soy-based foam and are on lower trim levels are upholstered in a fabric made of recycled materials.
Other critics ding the Escape for out-of-date styling, even though the current bodywork was introduced in the '08 model year. Edmunds.com thinks the Ford Escape Hybrid could stand a little more power, as "passing response is not strong, especially above 60 mph." Editors there also question the switch to rear drum brakes, which appear to have brought longer stopping distances.
The Ford Escape Hybrid takes home a slew of environmental and efficiency awards from a variety of organizations, but they're almost awarded by default -- the number of hybrid SUVs across all size classes remains very limited. The Ford Escape Hybrid currently has no direct competition other than the less sophisticated Saturn Vue Hybrid (*est. $28,160). We found review coverage of the Escape hybrid at a variety of sources, including AutoblogGreen.com, Cars.com, TheTruthAboutCars.com, ConsumerGuide.com and ConsumerReports.org.
Our Sources
Reviewer Sam Abuelsamid tests a loaded, front-wheel-drive 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited and concludes that it is substantially improved over the 2008 model, thanks mostly to changes you can't see. The structure is more rigid and the new 2.5-liter engine is a welcome addition. He averages 33 mpg over a week of driving and finds that the Escape Hybrid does fine when it accelerates for highway merging and passing. There's plenty of interesting technical detail in this summary, too.
Review: In the AutoblogGreen Garage: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited FWD, Sam Abuelsamid, Aug. 24, 2008
Reviewer Jonny Lieberman claims the 2009 Escape Hybrid's continuously variable transmission is improved and now feels and sounds like a standard automatic. There are a few more things Lieberman approves of, including a brake simulation module that improves pedal feel and reductions in noise and vibration. He takes Ford to task, however, for some "junky parts-bin drek" scattered about the interior.
Review: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Review, Jonny Lieberman, June 2, 2008
3. Cars.com
Cars.com's Mike Hanley drives a Ford Escape Hybrid and confirms that the EPA estimated fuel-economy numbers are indeed attainable. Ford's small hybrid SUV drives much like a conventional vehicle, and the 2009 edition switches between gasoline and electric power more smoothly than earlier models. Hanley says the Ford Escape Hybrid's acceleration is acceptable.
Review: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, Mike Hanley, Sept. 25, 2008
4. Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com editors confirm that yes, the Ford Escape Hybrid really is good for 30 mpg, and it dishes out V-6 performance from its four-cylinder gas-electric powertrain combo. Handling is good, but braking performance is diminished for 2009. Editors blame Ford's move to drum brakes for the rear wheels.
Review: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Review, Editors of Edmunds.com
ConsumerGuide.com feels the Escape Hybrid's new 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine accelerates better than previous Escape Hybrid models, but that power for highway passing is weak. Editors say the Ford Escape Hybrid tester they evaluated averaged between approximately 24 and 26 mpg in two fuel-economy tests where the weather conditions prevented the hybrid system from shutting off the gasoline engine.
Review: 2009 Ford Escape, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
6. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Editors at ConsumerReports.org evaluate nearly every car on the market, including the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. These reviews also include predicted reliability ratings based on past-model-year reader surveys. While Consumer Reports conducts comprehensive evaluations, both on public roads and its private testing facility, their analysis focuses primarily on reliability, ride quality, handling and safety instead of performance.
Review: Ford Escape Hybrid, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
The Ford Escape gets better fuel economy than any truck, van or SUV sold in the United States. In fact, its mileage numbers outclass some well-regarded economy cars. FuelEconomy.gov, the website where all EPA fuel-economy estimates are published, breaks down the most and least fuel-efficient vehicles, and allows visitors to search and compare vehicles side-by-side.
Review: 2009 Most and Least Fuel Efficient Trucks, Vans and SUVs, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov
Small SUVs Runners Up:
6 picks including: About.com, Car and Driver…
3 picks including: Car and Driver, Edmunds.com…
2 picks including: Four Wheeler, Edmunds.com…
2 picks by top review sites.