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2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Review

September 8, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Has maintained a relatively traditional SUV appearance
Cars.com

Virtually unchanged visually
Jalopnik

Climate and stereo controls have a tidy layout
Edmunds

The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid arrives on dealer lots fresh off a 2008 makeover, and as such, it doesn't change much from last year’s model.

The exterior styling of the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid leans much more toward the 1990s SUV glory days than contemporary cutting-edge hybrids. The Ford Escape Hybrid is, in the words of Edmunds reviewers, “a compact SUV…available in two trim levels,” which are the base and upscale Limited models. Jalopnik reports that the Ford Escape Hybrid is “virtually unchanged visually,” and it still carries “a bold front end [that] combines with sleeker lines to result in” what Kelley Blue Book “an Escape that’s both more rugged and more refined than its predecessor.” Cars.com points out that the Escape Hybrid “has maintained a relatively traditional SUV appearance with its upright grille and angular profile,” and the conservative styling is also reflected in the dearth of hybrid badging. Cars.com notes that, “as opposed to GM, which slathers its full-size SUV hybrids with stickers and badges, Ford has shown some restraint,” and the Escape Hybrid’s only green logos are badges on the sides and liftgate.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the Ford Escape Hybrid’s interior is pleasant, but somewhat dated. TheCarConnection.com’s own editors discovered one major discrepancy with the interior, as the instrument cluster and center console are woefully unintegrated, reflecting Ford’s inability to incorporate all of the latest technology throughout the Escape Hybrid. Otherwise, however, the interior wins over reviewers with what Kelley Blue Book calls a “much more contemporary demeanor” than the outgoing Escape Hybrid. Despite the modernized look, Kelley Blue Book still feels that the Escape Hybrid’s interior “seems a bit dated when compared with newer compact SUV offerings.” Ergonomically, Ford’s engineers succeed with the Escape Hybrid’s cabin, and Edmunds appreciates that “the climate and stereo controls have a tidy layout.” Impressively, Edmunds also reports that “the optional large display screen can show the navigation, audio and fuel-economy functions at the same time, without appearing cluttered.” While the outgoing Ford Escape Hybrid featured a green backlight for the instruments, the new 2009 Escape Hybrid is bathed in an Ice Blue glow from the interior lighting, and reviewers love the new color combination. For even more variety, the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid now offers a driver-selectable color option that enables the driver to switch between a number of interior colors.

Conclusion

The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid retains a rugged, conservative look that is equally at home in the city and the country.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Has maintained a relatively traditional SUV appearanceCars.comVirtually unchanged visuallyJalopnikClimate and stereo controls have a tidy layoutEdmunds The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid arrives on dealer lots fresh off a 2008 makeover, and as such, it doesn't change much from last year’s model. The exterior styling of the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid leans much more toward the 1990s SUV glory days than contemporary cutting-edge hybrids. The Ford Escape Hybrid is, in the words of Edmunds reviewers, “a compact SUV…available in two trim levels,” which are the base and upscale Limited models. Jalopnik reports that the Ford Escape Hybrid is “virtually unchanged visually,” and it still carries “a bold front end [that] combines with sleeker lines to result in” what Kelley Blue Book “an Escape that’s both more rugged and more refined than its predecessor.” Cars.com points out that the Escape Hybrid “has maintained a relatively traditional SUV appearance with its upright grille and angular profile,” and the conservative styling is also reflected in the dearth of hybrid badging. Cars.com notes that, “as opposed to GM, which slathers its full-size SUV hybrids with stickers and badges, Ford has shown some restraint,” and the Escape Hybrid’s only green logos are badges on the sides and liftgate. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the Ford Escape Hybrid’s interior is pleasant, but somewhat dated. TheCarConnection.com’s own editors discovered one major discrepancy with the interior, as the instrument cluster and center console are woefully unintegrated, reflecting Ford’s inability to incorporate all of the latest technology throughout the Escape Hybrid. Otherwise, however, the interior wins over reviewers with what Kelley Blue Book calls a “much more contemporary demeanor” than the outgoing Escape Hybrid. Despite the modernized look, Kelley Blue Book still feels that the Escape Hybrid’s interior “seems a bit dated when compared with newer compact SUV offerings.” Ergonomically, Ford’s engineers succeed with the Escape Hybrid’s cabin, and Edmunds appreciates that “the climate and stereo controls have a tidy layout.” Impressively, Edmunds also reports that “the optional large display screen can show the navigation, audio and fuel-economy functions at the same time, without appearing cluttered.” While the outgoing Ford Escape Hybrid featured a green backlight for the instruments, the new 2009 Escape Hybrid is bathed in an Ice Blue glow from the interior lighting, and reviewers love the new color combination. For even more variety, the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid now offers a driver-selectable color option that enables the driver to switch between a number of interior colors. ConclusionThe 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid retains a rugged, conservative look that is equally at home in the city and the country. 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID STYLING | [8 out of 10] Cars.com: “Has maintained a relatively traditional SUV appearance” Jalopnik: “Virtually unchanged visually” Edmunds: “Climate and stereo controls have a tidy layout” The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid arrives on dealer lots fresh off a ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The universe of fuel-efficient and hybrid crossovers and SUVs is small. No compact SUVs are currently offered with diesel engines, so the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the closest competitor. It’s a larger vehicle with optional third-row seating for seven, and it’s a somewhat pricier vehicle (although Ford dealers seem to be getting sticker price for their hybrid Escapes). The Lexus RX 400h is squarely in the luxury camp, and it easily costs at least $10,000 more than the Ford Escape Hybrid—and we doubt there’s a lot of cross-shopping there. The nearest competitor, in fact, may be the non-hybrid Ford Escape and Chevrolet Equinox compact SUVs.

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See the Ford Escape Hybrid in Other Years:

2010 | 2009

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Jeff #1, Posted: 9/9/2009

    If you're into a movie theater feeling for your cup holder this one works great on any armrest.

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