Fuel-efficient, comfy Ford Escape tops compact crossovers

Detroit Free Press (MCT) - Significant improvements in fuel economy and performance make the 2009 Ford Escape the best choice for buyers looking for an economical compact crossover SUV.

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The Escape has been America's best-selling compact SUV for years. Engine upgrades and a new transmission arrived at just the right time as drivers desert larger SUVs for more fuel-efficient models. The 2009 Escape offers a winning blend of value, room, comfort and practicality.

Ford gave the Escape some cosmetic tweaks, including an imposing chrome grille, a year ago, but the big news comes now, when the base four-cylinder engine grows to 2.5 liters and a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission joins the lineup. The combination makes the 2009 four-cylinder Escape a much more appealing vehicle than the previous edition, which labored with its 2.3-liter engine and four-speed automatic gearbox.

Prices for the 2009 Escape start at $20,100 for an XLS model with a 171-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. The least-expensive Escape with an automatic transmission is a four-cylinder XLS that stickers at $21,130, while the base all-wheel drive model is an XLS priced at $23,060. An optional 3.0-liter V6 engine boosts output to 240 horsepower and comes mated to the same six-speed automatic transmission.

The least-expensive V6 Escape is a front-drive XLT Ford offers 11 Escape models, including the midrange XLT that starts at $23,115. The least-expensive V6 Escape is a $24,125 front-drive XLT with the automatic transmission. Top of the line Limited models start at $24,580 for a four-cylinder front-drive model and run as high as $27,330 for a V6 with all-wheel drive.

I tested a nicely equipped front-drive Escape XLT with the four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission that cost $23,420. All prices exclude destination charges.

The Escape competes with other four-cylinder compact crossover SUVs. Among the leading competitors, Nissan and Toyota have announced prices for their 2009 models. The Rogue starts at $20,220, while the RAV4 bases at $21,500.

The Escape is mechanically identical to the Mazda Tribute, which gets the same new powertrain and fuel economy improvements for 2009 and comes from the same Ford assembly plant in Kansas City that builds the Escape. Prices for the 2009 Tribute start at $19,730. The Mercury Mariner, which also shares its underpinnings with the Escape, gets the same upgrades for 2009. Mariner prices start at $22,310.

The Escape's upright styling gives it the profile of a traditional SUV and sets it apart from smooth-cornered models like the CR-V, Rogue and RAV4. The big-box looks also allow the Ford to pack an exceptional amount of interior room into its compact 174.7-inch length. The CR-V, Rogue and RAV4 are all longer. Surprisingly, the car-like Rogue is the biggest vehicle in the bunch at 182.9 inches long.

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The Escape provides plenty of passenger and cargo space. Head, leg and shoulder room are excellent for the front and rear passengers. The Escape has 29.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats, more than the Rogue and Tucson, but less than the RAV4 and CRV.

With the Escape's rear seats folded down, cargo space increases to 66.2 cubic feet. The big opening to the Escape's cargo space makes it easy to get loads in and out of the SUV.

The interior of the Escape I tested featured nice check-pattern cloth upholstery and acceptable materials throughout.

The instruments are large and easy to read. In addition to the standard complement of controls, the Escape I tested had Ford's optional Sync system, which allows you to control phone, sound system and iPods with spoken commands. Sync, a $395 option, is among the most useful and appealing features any automaker offers.

The engine, which Ford enlarged from 2.3 to 2.5 liters for 2009, provides ample power for jaunts around town and through traffic. Despite the smooth six-speed automatic's best efforts, though, acceleration to highway speeds _ while better than the 2008 _ could still be better. You'll make 60 mph by the end of the entrance ramp, but don't be shy about using a whip hand on this horse.

That's the tradeoff that comes with the move to small, high-mpg engines, however. Owners had better get used to it.

Big-displacement four-cylinder engines _ yes, in the world of four-bangers, 2.5 liters is big _ are also more prone to engine vibration than smaller powerplants. The Ford escaped that pitfall while accelerating, but the vibration was noticeable at idle.

The Escape is very quiet at highway speed. Wind noise is almost unnoticeable, despite its boxy shape, and road noise is minimal. The suspension absorbs bumps nicely and keeps the SUV stable around curves and in quick lane changes.

The Nissan Rogue has a sportier character, but the Escape's roomy, quiet interior and practicality will make the Ford the choice for drivers who want maximum room.

Thanks to the six-speed transmission and other improvements Escape's fuel economy rises about 1 mpg across the line for 2009. The model I tested rated 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway in EPA tests.

That's better than the CR-V, Tucson and RAV4. The Rogue's EPA ratings of 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway give it a combined rating of 24 mpg, 1 mpg better than the Escape's combined rating.

The Escape comes with a full complement of safety equipment. Antilock brakes, electronic stability control, front-seat side air bags and curtain air bags are standard.

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The heavy traditional SUV has fallen out of favor with buyers this year. The 2009 Escape's fuel efficiency, attractive price and spacious interior will give buyers who still want the looks and capacity of an SUV an appealing alternative to the flood of curvy little crossovers.

(EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE)

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Reasons to buy: Fuel economy, interior room, value

Shortcomings: Highway acceleration, engine vibration

Vehicle type: Front-wheel drive compact crossover SUV

Base price: $22,730 excluding destination charges

As tested: $23,420

Standard equipment: Antilock brakes; electronic stability control; front-seat side air bags; curtain air bags; tire pressure monitoring; antitheft system; battery saver; 16-inch aluminum wheels; keyless entry; front fog lamps; privacy glass; liftgate with flip-up glass; capless fuel filler; power six-way driver's seat; 60/40 split-folding rear seats; flat-folding front passenger seat; cruise control; manual tilt steering wheel; AM/FM/MP3-compatible stereo with auxiliary input.

Options: Sync voice-activated system; roof rack with crossbars; retractable cargo cover; lockable hidden wet trunk.

Specifications as tested

Engine: 2.5-liter DOHC variable-timing 16-valve four-cylinder

Power: 171 horsepower at 6,000 rpm; 171 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway

Wheelbase: 103.1 inches

Length: 174.7 inches

Width: 71.1 inches

Height: 70 inches (with roof rails)

Weight: 3,355 pounds

Where assembled: Claycomo, Mo.

Comparative base prices

Front-drive models with automatic transmission, not including destination charges

2008 Honda CR-V EX: $22,950

2008 Hyundai Tucson Limited: $22,220

2009 Nissan Rogue SL: $21,810

2008 Toyota RAV4 Sport: $23,200

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© 2008, Detroit Free Press.