Ford Escape Hybrid - Review Ranks 1 out of 25 affordable compact SUVS

The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid ranks 1 out of 25 Affordable Compact SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 11 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Escape Hybrid, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Though the Escape Hybrid was officially redesigned in 2008, upgrades for this year have changed its performance significantly. Auto reviewers say the 2009 changes are for the better and praise the hybrid SUV for its especially smooth ride and powertrain.
Touted by Ford as the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet, the Escape Hybrid's claim to fame is its excellent 28 mpg combined fuel economy. It was recently named most environmentally friendly Truck of the Year at the inaugural Earth, Wind & Power Awards. The mission of the awards is to "recognize vehicles driven by a power source that help reduce global warming, are conducive to promoting a cleaner environment and support the mission to achieve energy independence through alternative sources."
This year, major upgrades for the Escape Hybrid, including a bigger engine and updated braking and steering systems, make it even more appealing. "The Escape is a hybrid SUV with solid moves at an affordable price for which no excuses need be made," says Car and Driver. Thanks to the hybrid's high gas mileage, auto reviewers tend to favor it over its gasoline-powered counterpart, the 2009 Ford Escape, which is reviewed separately.
The Escape Hybrid is available in three trims -- the base model and a new top-of-the-line Limited. A four-wheel drive system is optional

2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Fuel Economy: City: 17 – 19 Highway: 23 – 26

Available Engines: 166-hp, 2.4-liter I-4 (regular unleaded)230-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 (regular unleaded)

Available Transmissions: 4-speed automatic w/OD5-speed automatic w/OD5-speed manual

Vehicle Summary :Suzuki calls its Grand Vitara an "offroad athlete." The five-passenger SUV is based on a purely Suzuki design, and competitors include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4. Base, XSport and Luxury versions are offeredNew for 2009The Grand Vitara gets a four-cylinder and a larger V-6, an updated front grille and bumper, rear disc brakes and a few new interior amenities.
ExteriorThe Grand Vitara features accented flared fenders and a tailgate-mounted spare tire. It measures 176 inches long, 71.3 inches wide and 66.3 inches tall. It's longer than the Tucson but shorter than the CR-V and RAV4. It's fairly close to its competitors in both width and height.Seventeen or eighteen inch alloy wheels on V-6 all-wheel-drive models New front grille and bumper Moonroof on XSport and Luxury editions InteriorThere's room for five in the Grand Vitara on front bucket seats and a 60/40-split folding rear seat that offers fold-and-tumble operation. XSport and Luxury models include a six-CD changer. A SmartPass keyless start system, standard on XSport and Luxury models, locks and unlocks the vehicle with the press of a button on the door.New driver information display Illuminated steering-wheel controls Chrome interior door handles Automatic climate control Sun-visor extenders Armrest with slide function Under the HoodThe Grand Vitara's previous 2.7-liter V-6 has been done away with for 2009. New engines include a smaller four-cylinder and a larger V-6. The four-cylinder comes with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. V-6 models have a five-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard and single- or four-mode full-time all-wheel drive is available. The four-mode system includes 4H, 4H Lock (slippery), 4L Lock and Neutral positions, and it has a limited-slip center differential. The neutral position allows for flat towing behind recreational vehicles without mileage accumulation. All-wheel-drive V-6 models feature standard hill descent and hill hold controls. Hill descent control automatically applies the brakes when driving down steep, rough and/or slippery hills to help control vehicle speed. When starting to drive up a steep or slippery hill, hill hold control prevents the vehicle from rolling backward when the driver's foot moves from the brake to the accelerator.166-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 162 pounds-feet of torque 230-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 with 213 pounds-feet of torque Fully independent suspension 3,000-pound towing capacity Rear disc brakes SafetyFor 2009, the frame is strengthened for increased rigidity. V-6 models with all-wheel drive feature hill hold control as well as hill descent control.
Other standard features include:Seat-mounted side-impact airbags for front seats Side curtain airbags with rollover sensors Antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution Electronic stability system Strengthened frame for increased rigidity

Air Conditionimg in Vehicles -Cars

Hey Friends, please note...Do not turn on A/C immediately as soon as you enter the car! Please open the windows after you enter your car and do not turn ON the air-conditioning immediately. According to a research done , the car dashboard , sofa , air freshener emits Benzene , a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen- take note of the heated plastic smell in your car). In addition to causing cancer , it poisons your bones , causes anemia , and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia , increasing the risk of cancer may also cause miscarriage. Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft. A car parked indoors with the windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F , the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg , 40 times the acceptable level... & the people inside the car will inevitably inhale an excess amount of the toxins. It is recommended that you open the windows and door to give time for the interior to air out before you enter. Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver , and is very difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.