Reality is finally beginning to settle in for millions of new car buyers – or at least I hope it is. Reality meaning the fact that most people overbuy when considering a purchase, that is. Buying too much vehicle, too much engine, too big, too tall, just too, too, too…

And then Ford introduces a revised four-cylinder version of its venerable Escape. Like the case involving a certain Goldilocked young girl, who found one bed to be too big, the other too small, this one seems to be just right. Read on:

What is it?
The Escape is the Explorer’s little brother. It was one of the first of the so-called “Cute Utes” to hit the market as a compact SUV. For 2009, Ford upgraded its four-cylinder powertrain to not only be more refined and efficient than before, but also more powerful. Ford hopes this engine – hooked up to a six-speed automatic – will seem like a logical choice rather than a bare-bones model.

Ford has also chosen to offer the four-banger in all model trims for 2009, rather than just in base configurations of the Escape. You can have your cake and eat it, too, without using too much fuel, at least Ford hopes.

What’s it up against?
Competitors in this segment include the Jeep Liberty, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue and the Toyota RAV4. Of these, the Escape, its second generation having been introduced in the 2008 model year, has undergone continuous refinement, but is still based on the original unibody design introduced for 2001.

Any breakthroughs?
Leading the breakthroughs is Ford’s use of its new Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Also making its first appearance is the firm’s Advance Trac with Roll Stability Control (RSC), which provides, in Ford’s words, countermeasures to reduce the risk of rollover, while providing for an engaging and fun to drive vehicle.

The Ford-Microsoft designed Sync audio system also makes an appearance. Able to adapt to iPods and other MP3 players, it will also accommodate the three or four Microsoft Zune owners out there.

How does it look?
Looking like it uses much of the original body shape, the Escape XLT is uh, shall we say a classic design. That’s not to say that it is stuck in the past. Starting with a largish front fascia which features a stylized version of Ford’s three-bar grille in gleaming chrome, it’s offset by contemporarily designed headlight surrounds, which draw the eyes back past the bulging wheel wells, and along the slab-sided door panels.

Five-spoke aluminum wheels shod with 16-inch all-season radials offer adhesion to the road, but at a lower rate of resistance than in the past. All the better to improve gas mileage. Another little-noticed but nonetheless important tweak is in the aerodynamics of the Escape. Using a 40 milimeter lower, wider chin spoiler helps to spread air away from the front tires while rear tire spoilers help to deflect air from becoming trapped in the wheel wells. This wind-cheating design helps to achieve a net savings of an additional mile-per-gallon. Not much, you may scoff, but it does add up.

And inside?
A two-tone, (three-tone if you count the headliner) interior holds sway once you open the doors of the Escape. At first it is slightly off-putting. But a closer look tells you this ain’t your pappy’s Oldsmobile, nor is it a bunch of business-as-usual seats, either.

The “comfort-designed” seats are now made of soy-based foam material instead of the petroleum-based products that were formerly used. Add to that, the eco-friendly seat fabrics made of post-industrial 100% recycled materials. The result is not one that screams “I’M SAVING THE WORLD,” like a typical hybrid driver is wont to say, but it’s a start. The seat fabrics in our test vehicle displayed a slightly greenish, slightly beige color tone, which ended up growing on us.

The hard plastics of the dashboard are a little off-putting, especially when compared to the new materials that we have seen on future models of Ford vehicles to be revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A spacious layout is displayed, but the abundance of buttons on the center stack disappoints us. The same way it disappoints us to see such buttons on an import. Otherwise, the layout is good, with all controls where they are supposed to be, or where we have grown accustomed to finding them in previous Fords we have driven.

Rear seat legroom is plentiful, and comfort is suitable for three passengers on extended journeys. A 60/40 split allows for rear seat fold down, once the headrests have been removed. Rear cubby holes and a household 110-volt outlet round out the list of included creature comforts.

But does it go?
As fast as you would expect with an inline four-cylinder with six-speed automatic would allow. That is, as fast as you can wring out the juice from a 171-horsepower, 171 lb-ft. of torque, aluminum blocked Duratec engine. Made to run on regular unleaded gas (87-octane) it is capable of squeezing 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. In the grand scheme of things, these are respectable numbers that bear a second look when it comes time to buy a “right-sized” SUV, even if right-sized in this case means 3,355-pounds.

By the way, engine noise, while not sounding like a V8 from the 2010 Mustang GT we recently reviewed, was well-tuned and did not penetrate the cabin except under the extreme loads you would encounter while entering an expressway, or other high-speed roadway.

Handling is carried out by the use of MacPherson struts, coil springs and stabilizer bars in front, and an independent rear with semi-trailing arm design. Add a stabilizer bar there as well. Steering, via rack and pinion with electric power assist, is direct and gives good road feel for an SUV. It also allowed for quick maneuverability in lane changing situations that had us rooting for more. It’s not intended to drive like a sports car, and in that regard, it doesn’t disappoint. But on the other hand it offers a secure feel that never felt top-heavy or unwieldy. Overall, it was a fun ride that really did engage the driver to encourage you to enjoy the ride.

Why you would buy it:
You have still have the need to haul, just without the need to make a statement anymore. And besides, you actually like getting nearly 28 miles to the gallon while driving something that can haul a little more than an econobox can.

Why you wouldn’t:
Your SUV size quotient dictates that a Hummer H2 is just the starting point.

Leftlane’s bottom line
Redesigned for 2008 and given new engines for 2009, Ford has seen fit to make sure its Escape SUV remains relevant in an age that sees a seismic shift away from large utes. The inclusion of the I-4 powered XLT helps to keep its momentum moving onward. If you don’t need to tow more than 1500 pounds, it is definitely worth a look.

2009 Ford Escape XLT FWD base price, $22,730. As tested, $24,115.
Cargo Package, $295; Sync, $395; Destination, $695.

Words and photos by Mark Elias.

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