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Staff Photos By James Gaffney



Ford may have been the first to "hybridize" an SUV, but no one cares what you did back in 2001.



Hopefully, anyway.



So here's what you need to know now about the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid: It's more powerful and more refined, while improving its miles to the gallon, all of which makes for a small sport-ute with sustainable appeal.



Plus, it's got some cool light-up features. Like Mardi Gras.



Power Talk

The last time I drove the Escape Hybrid, its gas engine was a 153-horsepower 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. For 2009, Ford jacked that engine up to a 171-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-banger, which, when combined with the hybrid's two electric motors - one which starts the engine and another that boosts acceleration - allows the Escape Hybrid to run on electric power alone up to speeds of 25 or 30 mph. Very cool.

Tags: Ford

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Ford's small hybrid SUV raises power and fuel economy for 2009 was originally published by New Orleans Auto Reviews: Ford. Read the full story by clicking here.