A high point in the sport utility market is the Ford Escape. In 2009 Ford released an upgraded version of the Escape with five versions: Hybrid, Limited Hybrid, XLS, and XLT. Sales for the Escape, especially the Escape Hybrid, were brisk during 2009 and 2010. The improved reliability and the sporty styling were responsible for the sales boost.

Under the Hood

Standard equipment in the Escape for 2008 and 2009 includes the 2.5 liter engine by Ford, weighing in at 4 cylinders and sixteen valves. A 4-speed Automatic CVT Transaxle puts the power of the Duratec engine to the pavement. This is a long-standing favorite for buyers in the Sport Utility arena.

The Escape uses power-assisted brakes, with 4-Wheel ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are disc. Steering is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The truck uses coil and coil springs front and rear respectively.

Vehicle Statistics

The dimensions of the Escape Hybrid are inches wide by inches long. It sits inches off the ground. It seats a standard several adults passengers, with 4 doors. The wheelbase of allows for extra leg room for the rear passengers.

The original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was an industry-average price when new, with a dealer invoice cost of an industry-average price. This price was in line with the industry average price for a 4-door Sport Utility.

Fuel Efficiency

The fuel system for the 2009 Escape is a traditional SFI, running on ELECTRIC/GAS fuel. The fuel is controlled by an electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design. The capacity of the fuel tank is 12 gallons.

The 2009 Escape gets 23 miles/gallon on the highway and only 17 in the city. This is subpar for a sport utility truck.

We Think...

There are several reasons why the Ford Escape Hybrid sold well in 2009. Mainly the increase in availability and a marked improvement in quality meant the buying public was more apt to choose a Ford, specifically a Escape.

Related posts:

1. A Better 2006′s Model: The Ford Escape for 2007 One of the staples of the Sport Utility segment...
2. Getting 26 Miles a Gallon: The Ford Escape for 2008 The restyled Escape Hybrid is equipped with a 2.3-liter...
3. Facts about the 2009 Ford Escape Limited Hybrid In 2009 Ford released the Escape Limited Hybrid to...
4. Getting 25 Miles a Gallon: The Ford Escape for 2005 In 2005 Ford released the Escape Hybrid to the...
5. Insight Into the Ford Escape for 2008 The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid was introduced to compete...

Tags: 4-Door, Ford Escape, Hybrid, Sport Utility, United States market

This entry was posted on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at 12:43 pm and is filed under 2009, Escape, Ford. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.