CD Article: 2009 Ford Escape XLT 4-cylinder

[CD_Editor]

         
Test Drive:


With a new four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission, the '09 Ford Escape offers improved responsiveness and slightly better fuel economy, reports editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson, but the four-cylinder engine lacks refinement, he says.
 More: View the photos | All the Test Drives

[Leviathan]

As well, Escapers can now get a five-speed manual transmission in the base four-cylinder Escape, an option that wasn’t available in 2008; the five-speed manual is no longer available with the V6 engine.

5speed manual was never an option with the V6. As far as I know, the 5speed has always been available in FWD trim but Ford dropped it in AWD/4WD trim in the 2008 make over.

[Leviathan]

all-wheel drive (AWD) which is a full-time on-demand system that includes a pushbutton locking centre differential for low-speed travel in slippery conditions.

The push button lock went away in 2005 when the AWD system was updated.