Overview & Reviews

A slightly larger, more powerful engine, the addition of stability control and the debut of Ford's Sync system (which allows voice commands to a cell phone, audio system and navigation system) highlight the tweaks made to the Ford Escape Hybrid for 2009. Other changes include the addition of a Limited trim level, the adoption of a capless fuel-filler system and ambient cabin lighting.

• Surprisingly powerful hybrid drivetrain, gets 30 mpg in the real world, comfortable and roomy interior.

• Pricey for its size, noisy under hard acceleration, fussy rear-seat-folding process, handling not as sporty as some rivals, disappointing braking performance.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 36.00

• 

  traded my honda fit for this :) - 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By rob - April 20 - 9:36 am

  I had my honda fit 2008 for mpg savings after my toyota highlander. However, the gas savings on the fit werent there. I started to investigate the ford escape hybird and I was impressed. FORD is back ! I had soooo many more features with the hybird. I bought a 20009 escape hybird (pre-owned) with about 6k miles on it. Its been really good to drive the car and the gas savings are great.

• 

  Update after 33,000 miles - 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Ken - October 20 - 12:40 am

  I like my Escape less now than when I first purchased it. I dont know if my problems are isolated or if other vehicles have the same issues. The heated seats stay warm only minutes after being turned on. The seats warm quickly but then fade to cool within about 5 minutes. The air conditioning system is a joke. When both driver and passenger sides are set to the same temperature, the passenger side, will blow 8 degrees warmer than the drivers side...but only sometimes. Also, the system can be set at 72 degrees and blow hot but can also blow cold when set to 76. Its frustrating. I think the a/c system may be bipolar. The dealer says the technology is in the motor...hes right.

• 

  Fantastic, luxurious, fun to drive - 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By SMB - October 16 - 7:10 pm

  I couldnt be happier with my new Escape Hybrid. Even during the break-in period, during which MPG is slightly less, the efficiency is stunning. As a city driver, getting 34 mpg in the city in a beautiful, luxurious, peppy SUV is a dream come true. The pick up makes it feel more like a V6 than a 4-cylinder. The interior of the Limited edition is second-to-none, and the Sync feature is incredibly convenient. The car handles wonderfully, the steering and braking are responsive (which is an improvement from 2008, where braking was somewhat problematic, I understand). Could not be happier.

• 

  Great Hybrid - 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Hook686 - August 26 - 8:00 pm

  In this volatile economic world, I find it a real plus to have a motor vehicle that yields me 30-44 mpg of gasoline. This 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited does that for me thus far, and is just plan fun to drive Im still on my first tank of gas and getting to know the SYNC & NAV systems, but thus far I am really pleased. An SUV that gets me 42 mpg around town. I really like that. I will update this as my time with the SUV increases, but for now I could not be happier with my choice

• 

  Got a great deal - cash for my clunker - 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By George - July 17 - 2:36 pm

  Wow, with a Cash-for-Clunker deal already from the dealer for $4500 (my 1991 Ford Explorer), and $958 tax credit Federal and $3,906 tax credit (yes!) Colorado, I got a great deal, so this Hybrid wasnt so expensive for us. Being a "Full Hybrid", both the Electric Motor and gas Engine drive the wheels at the same time, and usually electric-only under 40 mph unless you step on it. When coasting downhill over 40 mph, the gas engine is on, but not using gas, as the fuel injectors close. Amazinghow it all works. Great gas milage so far - 32 mpg mostly city so far and have driven less than 1,000 miles.

• 

  09 AWD Escape Hybrid Base Review - 167K Miles - 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By acd72 - June 16 - 8:27 pm

  All in all it has been a solid vehicle. No major repairs. Bought used from a dealer 2.5yrs ago w/ 40K. I drive 50K miles/yr for work. In the summer I avg 28-31MPG. In the winter 26-27mpg. Not sure how much cold weather affects mileage, because I let the car warm up in the driveway regulary. Recently my wife started driving and avgs 23-25MPG. Thought something wrong, so I reset the mpg. It went up to 30. I believe the driver has the most impact on MPG.

• 

  Wow - 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By timmy - June 10 - 2:46 pm

  This vehicle is just amazing. Averaging 31.5 MPG and I drive 38 miles one way to work, about 25 miles of which is 60 MPH+ highways. I never dreamed I would see this kind of mileage in a 4wd SUV. The ride is very comfortable and smooth even on shoddy michigan roads, but it is not floaty, sloshy, or sluggish like a lot of other SUVs or larger cars can feel. Plenty of power when you step on it - like they advertise it feels like a v-6 when you need it to. I rarely push it though because Im always concious of mileage. Feel lucky to own it despite the cost - see favorite features below. 

• 

  So Far the Best - 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By freeandfighting - May 29 - 12:33 am

  Yes, the best vehicle Ive purchased in my 45 years buying new and used cars. Zero defects, outstanding mileage. I think it combines the best combination of mileage, safety, capacity, and price of any vehicle in the U.S. market today. Its $3,000 income tax rebate made it a $25,600 purchase price for me plus tax and tag. Noticeable improvements over the 2008 model I test drove early in the year. You could coast for a long time between 35 and 40 mph on electric alone! Mine is still on break-in and the average mileage with AC on half of the time (Miami,FL) is 33.6 mpg. This is on a mix 50% suburban, 30% city, 20% highway; and American made to boot.

• 

  Great SUV - 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Ken - December 3 - 1:20 pm

  This is a very nice SUV for the money. Its comfortable, has a great ride and has some pretty neat features, too. The Sync System connects to your cell phone, Ipod, etc. and allows you to communicate with voice commands. The interior looks very good, as well. All this and the mileage is fantastic! The transition that occurs from the electric motor to the gas engine is very smooth. Its a fun vehicle to drive. Ford really did a good job.

• 

  Great Car - 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By amtravco - May 13 - 1:50 am

  We love this car. In the summer were averaging 38 mpg in city driving (with some stretches of county roads mixed in). On the highway, its closer to 32 mpg. My major complaints are a) the engine is very noisy, and b) the Sync system from Microsoft stinks. Ill elaborate on the latter. #1 complaint: Cant set Nav system while youre driving. If we want to find an upcoming restaurant while on the freeway, I guess we need to pull over to the side of the road? The fonts are hard to read (orange on light blue??) The LCD is polarized such that when wearing polarized sunglasses its very dim. Basically, when we use our cheap Garmin its easy and reliable to find locations; with Sync its frustrati