Check out this hi-res press photo of the 2009 FEH engine bay. I see there will be a new plastic cover to go with the new 2.5 ICE.

Notice anything about the grille?

http://bp0.blogger.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/...ord-Merc_3.jpg

No fake chrome grille ?

or is that another new "option"

When should I start feeling that my new 08 FEH is inferior to the new model year - this is getting to be like computers.

H

I think the answer should have been the day you drove off the lot! I have the '05 and have been slightly jealous of the improvements along the way. But I'll be keeping mine for many more years!

My computer is old too.

2005 Ford Escape Hybrid - Titanium Green, 4WD, Appearance Pkg, Leather, Nav System

Can anyone look at their belt diagram and see if theirs is the same or different? (reference the air box in the 2009 picture)

I'd look myself but I don't have any under hood pictures and the wife has ours.

They dropped the Ford emblem from it... making it more generic for Mercury, I assume.

Best single LD trip: 35.3mpg

Here is a photo of the 2005 engine block with the plastic cover removed

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best Interstate tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain.

Best Interstate tank trip E30 MPG 34.6 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio.

Best multiple road tank trip E30 MPG 36.2 for 202 miles in Southwestern Pa.

Well, you won't be alone.

At least the 2009 FEH's are only slightly better. Imagine if there was a totally new platform, body design, or battery technology.

It will probably be another two or three years before the next quantum leap in FE occurs. By that time, we'll be ready to trade up without feeling "had".

2008 Escape Hybrid FWD - lil' green gas sipper

I don't think the 2009 is a quantum leap, but Ford seems to have added some nice things to the hybrid, including an updated engine for the hybrid, the new navigation system and Sync (mentioned here before I think):

Ford Press Release about 2009 Escape.

Don't forget RSC, jeesh, I am beginning to get envious too. I didn't really think they would be putting a new ICE in there so soon...

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid - Adopted 7-7-07

2009 Escape

2009 Mariner

Best single LD trip: 35.3mpg