Click the 2009 Escape Hybrid for a high-res gallery

The very first production hybrid from a Detroit automaker has been with us since 2004 and going into the 2009 model year it has finally completed its second generation transformation. In 2007, Ford redesigned the all the visible elements of the Escape but largely carried over mechanical components. We drove the updated 2009 model a couple of months ago over a brief route and now we've had a chance to spend a full week with the revamped hybrid.

In June of last year we drove the then new 2008 Escape hybrid and came away reasonably impressed. The styling of the newest Escape had less of the soft-roader look of the original in favor of a "tougher, chunkier appearance" more in keeping with its truck siblings. The only visual distinction between the '08 and '09 models is a deeper, wider front air-dam and small spats in front of the rear wheels. These improve the air flow around the bottom of the vehicle, cutting highway fuel consumption by about 0.67 mpg at 70 mph. The really key differences in the '09 model aren't apparent to visual inspection and you can read how those panned out after the jump.


Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.