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Under the Hood
If the number of Escape trims has you thinking variety, the selection of powerplants will do nothing to change that mindset. Gone for 2009 is the 2.3-liter four-cylinder, replaced by a 2.5-liter version with variable-valve timing that’s good for 171 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 171 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. Fuel economy is EPA-rated as high as 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway on front-wheel-drive models equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. That same configuration with the new six-speed automatic drops the ratings to 21 mpg and 27 mpg, respectively, or 20 mpg/25 mpg with four-wheel drive.
This year’s Escape Hybrid also draws power from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, yet pairs it with an electric motor to generate 153 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. Fuel economy peaks at 34 mpg in the city for front-driver versions of the Escape Hybrid. A continuously-variable transmission (CVT) delivers output to the front or all four 16-inch wheels wrapped in 235/70 low-rolling-resistance Michelin Latitude Tour tires.
That’s the same rubber you’ll find standard on all 2009 Escapes, including those fitted with the more robust 3.0-liter V-6. With the help of a new compression ratio, this engine now ponies up 240 horsepower at 6,550 rpm and 223 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,300 rpm. Every V-6 Escape features a six-speed automatic transmission and can be equipped as a front-wheel- or four-wheel-drive model. Depending on configuration, fuel economy ranges from 18 mpg in the city to 24 mpg on the highway.
Backing this all up is an independent MacPherson strut front suspension, a lateral rear suspension with semi-trailing arms, a rack-and-pinion steering assembly (with electric assist on the Escape Hybrid), and antilock brakes with discs up front and drums covering the rear.
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