By Bill Zervakos & Cathy Droz
The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid uses a new 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine designed to run on the Atkinson 4 stroke with an electric motor and a new engine processor for smooth transitions between gas and electric mode. Smoother is questionable and the CVT is very annoying.
A new powertrain damping system reduces vibration and feedback to the occupants. The braking system has been refined for a seamless transition between regenerative braking and standard brake functionality which does help a lot. For those of you that haven’t driven a hybrid, braking is interesting at first blush.
The Escape Limited Hybrid is added for 2009 and includes 16-inch 6-spoke bright machined aluminum wheels, exterior chrome accents, standard 6-disc CD changer, chrome and ebony interior trim, ambient lighting, heated front seats, front leather seating surfaces, power moonroof, retractable cargo cover and SecuriCode keyless entry. It’s not a head turner by any stretch but no bad for a grocery getter.
The Escape has a roomy interior, spacious rear seat, and good cargo space. Fit and finish is nothing special but it is okay for a $20,000 something vehicle, however our tester came in a just under $34,000, and for an additional $10,000, with the hybrid being rated at only 27/29 mpg, that can be a tough sell when the limited iteration of the inline 4-cylinder is rated at 19/25.
Driving the Escape Hybrid was a relatively benign experience and I suppose that isn’t all bad. There’s not much to talk about with handling, it’s a 4-cylinder hybrid SUV so I don’t think many people worry about handling. It’s pleasant enough on the road save the noisy CVT which I imagine one will get used to. Click here for or more information on the Escape Hybrid.
The reason we’re doing these two vehicles together is we drove them back to back and the Mariner we drove was the 4-cylinder gas so it was a great opportunity to compare them the hybrid against the gas only engine. The Mariner is based on the Ford Escape so needless to say, they’re pretty much the same vehicle. The Mariner did get its first 
major redesign with updates to the exterior, interior and an upgraded chassis in 2008. Highlighted by new fascias, headlights and taillights, liftgate and hood, the Mercury also received a larger signature waterfall grille with bigger Mercury badge on the grille.
The interior is showcased by a comprehensive safety package, a quieter ride and new features. Mariner comes standard with front-wheel drive, but is available with Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive and hybrid is available.
Mariner bases at just under $23,000 and our tester was just over $34,000, about the same price as the Escape Hybrid and in truth, there wasn’t a whit’s worth of difference between the two cars as far as handling and performance go although I do prefer the 6-speed automatic in the Mariner to the CVT in the hybrid. The Mariners engine is way too noisy and in this age of much better cars coming out of Detroit very disappointing but that doesn’t meant they’re not decent vehicles just not my cup of tea. Click here for more information on Mercury’s Mariner.
