New 2009 Ford Escape

With the price of gas on the rise, SUV fans have a tough choice to make. Go with a spacious gas-guzzler or move on to a more efficient sedan. Fortunately for them, Ford has made it easy for you to keep your roomy SUV and get increased fuel economy with the 2009 Ford Escape.Not only does the Escape get 18-22 MPG in the city and 26-28 MPG on the highway, but the folks at Ford have increased power by 20 percent. Say hello to the new 2.5-liter, 171-horsepower and 3.0-liter, 240-horsepower V-6 engines. There are three trim levels for the Escape: XLS, XLT and Limited. The XLS is available in both a 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission, while the XLT and Limited are only available as automatics. If you’re looking for the same car with better fuel economy, its sibling, the Ford Escape Hybrid will wow you. The Escape gets comparable mileage, but has a lower sticker price than the Saturn VUE, Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V.If you like to rough it, then the XLT and Limited Escapes will tow up to 3,500 pounds. Cargo space is quite generous, with 66.3 cubic feet of cargo space available with the rear seats folded. The redesigned interior includes new ultra-durable, eco-friendly seat fabric made from 100% recycled plastic and polyester fibers with a cool two-tone color. The Escape comes with the SYNC® Communications and Entertainment System, which integrates Bluetooth® connectivity with mobile phones and allows you to control your MP3 library by voice. All trims come with an audio input jack and CD player with four speakers, while an optional 6-disk CD player with seven speakers surrounds you with sound. The Limited has an optional voice-activated Navigation System with SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, which offers real-time traffic, weather, fuel prices (including lowest available prices), sports scores and schedules, movie listings and showtimes.

Standard safety features include 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags, front-seat side airbags, and side curtain airbags with rollover sensor protect both rows of passengers in a collision. The optional reverse sensing system uses sonar and an audible beep to indicate the vehicle’s distance from an object. AdvanceTrac® and Roll Stability Control help improve control on slippery surfaces.

Ford is back and it’s not only powerful, but efficient. Spend less at the pump while enjoying the look and feel of an SUV with the 2009 Ford Escape.