Review of the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
The 2008 model year brought significant cosmetic changes to the Ford Escape – adding sharper lines and a more rugged exterior. For 2009, Ford has turned its attention under the hood and revamped the 2009 Ford Escape hybrid’s mechanics. By bringing the SUV’s inner-workings up to speed, the auto giant is hoping to see sales even higher than it did during a record-breaking ’08.
What’s new?
For the $28,000-$32,000 that it will cost to get you into a ’09 Escape, you’ll find more power, smoother handling and improved mileage. You can now drive a little further on every fill up, as the ’09 hybrid Escape mpg rating has improved to 34 city and 31 highway (an improvement of 1 mile per gallon over the 2008 hybrid Escape).
The 2.5 liter engine in the ’09 Escape is Ford’s first attempt at using variable valve timing in conjuction with their Atkinson cycle hybrid engine. The result is an almost unnoticeable transition between electric and gas modes. Ford outfitted all 2009 Escapes with a new power train and upgraded the four speed automatic transmission to a six speed automatic transmission. As a result, the car hugs tight turns and shifts smoothly.
A major change in the hybrid version now allows you to drive the Escape in “all electric mode” from 0-40 mph before the gas engine takes over. The previous model made the switch at 30 miles per hour. On the outside, some minor adjustments to the spoilers and wheels allow for better aerodynamics and result in the car achieving two or three more miles per gallon.
A new electronic braking system increases the 2009 SUV’s stability and provides better feel of the brake pedal. Ford claims this change offers a more seamless crossover from regenerative to traditional braking. Another first for small hybrids is AdvanceTrac with RCS, Ford’s patented stability control system that includes rollover stability control, now standard on the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (and the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid).
Optional equipment includes Ford’s increasingly popular SYNC system (voice activated in-car communication and entertainment system), this year with “911 assist”. Buyers can also opt for the new Sirius Travel Link system for real time traffic, weather, and fuel price notifications.
Availability
According to a press release from Ford Motor Company, the 2009 Ford Escape is scheduled to be available sometime during the summer of 2008, although no specific mention of the hybrid model’s availability was made.
Future of the Ford Escape
At this year’s New York Auto Show, Ford also unveiled the results of its partnership with Southern California Edison: a plug-in hybrid Escape. The 20 prototypes the team has built are very similar to the 2008 Escapes, with a 2.3 liter, four cylinder engine, but subsequent prototypes being built this summer will feature the same 2.5 liter, four cylinder that the ’09 has. The plug-in version also swaps the 2kwh nickel metal hydride battery for a 10kwh lithium ion battery and plug on the left side of the car.
Throughout the next year and a half, Ford hopes to test and improve these cars and have the plug-in hybrid ready for sale within the next five years.
Additional Information On The ’09 Escape Hybrid SUV:
Ford Motor Company – 2009 Escape Official Press Release
AutoblogGreen
TheTruthAboutCars
i’m patiently waiting for my first hybrid, mmh 4×4, to be delivered this month, the reason i’ve opted for the hybrid rather than wait for clean diesel to come to nys is that diesel will always be diesel requiring a fillup at some point even at 50mpg. but, once the hybrid drive system is in place, some smart kid with a phd from mit will figure out a way to make it plug-in, and get 120 mpg.
Does anyone know if the 2009 Escape can run in full electric mode AND have the air conditioner running at the same time? I understand that this is not possible in the previous model years.
[...] Original source: http://www.hybridsuv.com/ford-escape/2009-ford-escape-hybrid [...]
As wonderful as this article seems for the 2009 Escape Hybrid, watch out for the smoke & mirrors.
I ordered a 2009 Escape Hybrid, Limited Edition on July 10th and was told to expect delivery within 10 – 12 weeks. This morning, I was told that delivery could be as far out as January 2009. That’s 6 months to get a new hybrid. I think Ford has a problem with creditability between what they say and what they can deliver to the customer.
I tried to order an 09 model and because Ford is limiting availability, they told me the dealership here in Great Falls, MT can’t order one for me. They are only getting two and one will be for the dealership owner and one for his friend. What a nice place to live!
Was fortunate to get order in early and picked our ’09 Escape Hybrid Limited today! So far, so good. Pushed our luck and tried to order another one, but was told 6 months at the soonest
[...] 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid | Best Small SUV MPG Categories [...]
[...] 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid | Best Small SUV MPG Categories [...]
I ordered a 2009 Escape hybrid in mid-June. When did Mark S. order his? I am wondering if all production is headed to big cities? I was hoping to get it before Christmas.
Jane L.
I ordered mine on July 30 and still have nothing – can’t even get the dealership to call me back! I was told 5 weeks ago that the order was processed and the it would be “serialized” in mid-Dec. Getting pretty frustrated with the entire process…and now we are down to one vehicle because the one we are replacing gave up on winter is hibernating in the garage!
Don’t know about previous models but the a/c (and heater) runs fine in my 2009 FEHL 2wd when it is running on electric only (econ mode). Of course it is February in Texas, get back to me in July or August and lets see if I am still so happy. For some reason it won’t run in electric mode if you turn on the front defroster.
Put $500 down and ordered it early July 08, got it early December. After 2 months I really like it for the most part and feel like it was well worth the wait. I know of absolutely no other suv that can compare across the board to this vehicle no matter how long you wait or what you pay. (Merc. Mariner and Mazda Tribute are basically the car as the FEH I think) I got over 32 mpg on the last tank in mostly city driving and often ran the a/c. My same size Honda CRV gets 23 in similar driving.
Mileage tip: I use the cruise control often and force it into elec mode at 40 mph and under by pushing the cruise decel button.
Now I am going to be real picky-here are 5 shortcomings. If Ford fixes these the FEH will be a perfect vehicle imo.
1. Noisy motor when accelerating. Not a good noise either-like a sewing machine on steroids.
2. Leans more in tight corners than my big suv did, perhaps the FEH would do better if the tires or the car were a little wider or if the suspension was a little firmer.
3. Poor sun visors-they need extenders like some GM cars have. Darker driver and front passenger window tint helps some.
4. No bump protectors on the sides, I fear what will happen to my doors in parking lots.
5. Can’t see where to put the ignition key very well at night. Hey Ford see how the crv performs here.
There are a lot of good things: It is surprisingly powerful and cruises at 75 mph on the highway with less effort than my big fuel injected v8 suv did. The electric motor assists the gasoline motor when you step on the gas peddle and the cvt transmission appears to adapt perfectly to any driving condition. It is real quiet on the road when you get to speed and very stable in high winds. No mechanical problems so far and everything basically works exactly as it should. Way more room inside than I expected.
I don’t mind paying the extra money to Ford as opposed to OPEC and the like in the way of gas. Those in the oil business fear that all will buy vehicles with this type of outstanding technology at some point.
Can you imagine how advanced these vehicles may be in 5 years?
It is so important to develop this type of technology so that our grand kids and their grand kids will have fuel to power their cars in a clean and affordable manner. Those that are not willing to wait and make a sacrifice for the generations to come can just go buy one of the gas guzzlers that are so abundantly available.
RE: “Noisy motor when accelerating. Not a good noise either-like a sewing machine on steroids”
I have a 2008 Escape Hybrid which has a very quiet engine at all speeds and during acceleration. My sister just purchased the 2009 model, and I totally agree that the engine is very noisy when accelerating. My friend at Ford says that enough people have complained about this that the problem is now a high priority to be fixed and Ford engineers are now working on it. It was not supposed to be this noisy. If you have this noise, make sure that your dealer makes a formal complaint to Ford. This way, you can be sure that the priority will stay high, and your vehicle will be fixed once they have found a solution.
[...] well among mid-size SUVs, coloring the Rav4 green seems like a savvy next move. The current small hybrid SUV leader is the Ford Escape, so it might be the closest competitor for Toyota should they decide [...]
sewing machine on sterroids?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
[...] To Head: 2009 Ford Escape hybrid vs 2009 Toyota Highlander [...]
Does anybody drive their FEH into the mountains on Forest Service roads? The kind of roads that are bulldozed out of hillsides and have lots of ruts and small boulders? How is the clearance? When I see these vehicles on the highway, they don’t look high enough to clear some of the ruts I’ve seen in mountain roads.
Nice comments. have heavily thpught of the Ford Hybrid SUV. Now i think i have made my choice all but the sewing machine on steroids. Funny comment, however this is taking into account for my future purchase. Thanks to all who have helped me make a wise decision.
[...] ist ?brigens dein umweltfreundlicher SUV: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid | Reviews, Gas Mileage, Price, Changes Es gibt da mittlerweile einige von … [...]
[...] patented stability control system that includes rollover stability control, now standard on the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (and the 2009 Mercury Mariner [...]