Ford Motor Corp. might be in crisis right now with all that’s going on with the economy, but the cars they produce definitely aren’t.

A great makeover gives the Escape new legs. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The Ford Escape XLT is a good looking, nice to drive SUV that’s great on gas and has a few new features for 2009 that make living with one better than ever.

On the outside, the Escape receives some pretty minor changes for the 2009 model year. Included in the updates are a revised front chin spoiler and rear tire spoilers. In the previous model year, 2008, the Escape received a complete overhaul highlighted by a larger chrome grille with more prominent headlamps, borrowing design cues from its Edge and Expedition siblings. Most notably for the 2009 model year, the Escape’s new 2.5L and 3.0L engines offer more power and better fuel economy.

Mechanical changes for 2009 include a new 18.5 mm (0.73 in) rear stabilizer bar, revised suspension tuning, and a new exhaust system. Another new feature is Ford's Easy-Fuel capless fuel filling system. Putting gas in a car hasn’t been easier. Just open the fuel door, insert the nozzle and begin fueling. It’s a great addition, benefiting emissions plus you never have to worry about losing your gas cap again.

New

It looks like it has 4WD, but a snowfall proved this wasn't the case. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

features aside, the Escape still comes with some great carryover features that make driving safe and easy. Along with its firm yet agile four-wheel independent suspension, the Escape remains cool and collected on wet roads due to ABS brakes with Brake Assist (BA), AdvanceTrac traction control with stability control, side impact bars and multiple airbags. Its P225/65R17 tires with optional 17-inch chrome clad wheels ($650) are not only cool looking but have excellent grip on roads dry or wet, but their traction on snowy streets is a different story.

While it’s not necessarily uncommon for the West Coast to receive snow, it is uncommon for the West Coast to receive copious amounts of snow! And that’s just what happened. It started snowing and didn’t stop for a couple of days. I know, this might not seem that dramatic, especially in comparison to anywhere in Canada other than Vancouver, but it is a shock to the city and to its drivers. I love driving in the snow, but most people don’t share my enthusiasm. Neither did the Escape. It, unfortunately, was not the 4x4 model, but just

A nicely laid out, well-equipped interior. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the front-wheel-drive model. It had a hard time not slipping and sliding over the snow covered roads, or even getting out of snowed-in street-side parking spots, but then again it managed to fair well in comparison to some other front-drive SUVs I’ve driven. The Escape performed the best on the slippery roads and hills when driven in the “L” or low gear. This way the engine could rev a little higher and I had more usable power than in “D” or drive.

And even with all the “L” driving I did, the fuel didn’t seem to get sucked dry thanks to Ford’s new 2.5L, 16-valve, DOHC four-cylinder engine. This new-for-the-2009-model-year feature enabled me to use the 170 horses and 171 lb-ft of torque whenever I could. Furthermore, Ford’s new six-speed automatic transmission ($1,100) replaces the 4-speed automatic gearbox in both I-4 and V6 configurations and, according to Ford, is “expected to improve the Escape’s

Its profile is still relatively upright and therefore traditional SUV-style. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

estimated fuel economy by 0.5L/100kms” for an estimated 10.1L/100km in the city and 7.2L/100km on the highway. If an automatic transmission isn’t the way you like to roll, Canadians get the special treat of being able to mate a 5-speed manual transmission with the XLT model.

As much as I liked the optional Canadian Winter Package ($1,100) with the leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats, it became especially cold to sit in when parked on the street for an extended period of time. Needless to say, the seat warmers warmed up quite quickly leaving me in discomfort for only a couple minutes. Furthermore, the Escape warmed up quickly too so it was only a matter of minutes before I had the heat cranked up and was in my comfort zone, literally.

There were,

There's loads of room in the back for stuff. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

however, a few other optional features that didn’t need warming up to. First off, the Escape has a feature called “ambient interior lighting.” This feature enabled me to change the colour of the lights in the cupholders and by my feet. While it’s not exactly what I call a functional feature, it was pretty cool. A button just to the top right of the gearbox allowed me to change the lighting to green, red, purple orange, blue and so on. I kept it on purple most of the week, but I could turn it off as well. Like I said, it’s not necessarily functional, but it’s a pretty neat way to spend an extra $300. Plus passengers love it too!

Equipped on the XLT was an optional 6-disc, in-dash CD changer with standard Sirius satellite radio. It’s always a bonus to have the ability to tune into whatever music genre matches my mood at the moment, and Sirius has never let me down. After an afternoon of Christmas shopping with my friend Fred

Still a best-seller. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

(not the best idea on the Saturday before Christmas!) the Led Zeppelin channel was our choice of tunes to wind down after hours of lineups. Nothing like a little “Stairway to Heaven” to lighten the mood.

Overall, the 2009 Ford Escape XLT is a pretty impressive SUV. Having recently driven the Mazda Tribute, which is pretty well genetically identical, I would pick the Ford over the Mazda. Why? Well, it’s more athletic looking with its large grille and fog lights, plus it feels like it’s being true to itself. The Tribute was too truck-like for Mazda’s sporty brand identity and felt unoriginal; something I’m not used to when getting behind the wheel of a Mazda. Plus, the truck-like influence on both SUVs felt more natural on the Escape. After all, being truck-like is in the Ford DNA. And with DNA like that, Ford makes a great Escape.

Specifications (2009 Escape XLT):

• Price Range (MSRP): $25,099 - $31,629
• Body Type: 5-door SUV
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine: 170 hp, 171 lb-ft of torque, 2.5L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
• Transmission: 6-spd auto
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/drum, ABS, BA
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,437 / 1,806 / 1,727 / 2,619 mm (174.7 / 71.1 / 68 / 103.1 in)
• Curb Weight: 1,536 kg (3,387 lbs)
• Tires: P235/65R17
• Trunk (seats up/down to roof): 827 / 1,877 L (29.2 / 66.2 cu ft)
• Towing Capacity: 907 kg (2,000 lbs)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 10.1 / 7.2 L/100 km
• Fuel Requirement: 87-octane regular unleaded
• Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive; 60/100,000 powertrain
• Competitors: Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Nitro, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson / Santa Fe, Jeep Compass / Patriot, Kia Sportage, Mazda Tribute / CX-7, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Pontiac Torrent, Saturn Vue, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV-4
• Web Site: www.ford.ca

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(187) Integrated Side Step Bars

(17W) Canadian Winter Package

(21R) Rear Cargo Convenience Group

(67B) SYNC Media System

(87D) Dual Headrest DVD Entertainment System by Invision

(J004) Standard Black Paint

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

(J003) Standard Metallic Paint

(43M) Power Moonroof w/ Shade

(66B) Convenience Group

(51A) Full Size Spare Wheel

(58N) Next Generation Voice-activated Navigation System

(58M) Premium Sound System

(50C) All Weather Floor Mats