[escapen]

This past weekend I drove the updated 2009 Ford Escape through a dealer preview for customer loyalty. My vehicle was a Escape XLT FWD model with an asking price of $27,855. This is exactly the middle of the road model and is actually the same vecicle I would choose if I didnt lease an Edge last summer.

I drove a 2003 Escape for 3 years and loved that vehicle so much. The 3.0L engine in the 2009 still feels a bit coarse but has a much smoother punch of power when passing and off the line. I can defiently tell that Ford added 40 horsepower but its not overly evident. I think the best new addition has to be the new 6 speed automatic. My old Escape as you all know had a smooth but delayed 4 speeder and I think that was the major hinderence of the old vehicle. I especially noticed the different after driving my Edge for a year with a much more refined 265 horses and the 6 speed.

On the inside, I see a vast imporvement over the 2000-2004 MYs. The switchgear is top notch, soft touch buttons and nobs take over the mid 1990s switchgear of the old models, i didnt notice this because I never got over to drive the new for 2008 model. Im glad im only seeing this 2009 escape with the updated interior from last year and the revised engine and tranny. Overall, the ride is stiff yet supple but that expected for a vehicle capible of mild offroading. This vehicle seems a little bit over priced for the segment but I did build comparably equipped CR-Vs and Rav4s online and got very similer pricing. For I-4s! This represents that Ford has a vehicle that has a lot of bang for your buck. The Escape has a more rugged design than the newer Edge and that will keep different buyers in the Ford Crossover showroom. The Edge and 2009 Escape are similer yes, but they cater to a different buyer and i dont see the sales overlap of two 5- seat V6 crossovers being an issue.