2009 FORD New SUV and Crossover Model Guide

[FORD CARS ] [ FORD TRUCKS ] [ FORD SUVS]

Ford produces an assortment of people-hauling wagons conformed as truck-based sport utility vehicles (SUV), plus car-based crossover utility vehicles (CUV). For 2009, Ford builds more CUVs, like the new Flex, a retro-style slab-sided wagon with room for seven passengers.

Edge
Ford's mid-size CUV presents a powerful road presence with a muscular pose. It carries car-like mechanical components for easy-driving traits. Power stems from a thrifty dual-cam 3.5-liter V6 rated at 265 hp with a six-speed automatic transaxle and front-wheel-drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. Edge's flexible cabin plan makes room for five and stocks Ford's Safety Canopy curtain-style air bags and the AdvanceTrac anti-skid device with Roll Stability Control (RSC). Trims include the SE, SEL or Limited plus new Sport, which wears a body kit,  sport-tuned suspension and optional 22-inch wheels.

Flex
Ford's new square-corner wagon amounts to a rather long mid-size CUV, which rides on the stretched platform of a sport-tuned sedan. In the cabin, there's ample space for three rows of seats to haul as many as seven passengers. Chairs inside flip and fold to make room for riders and cargo. Ford builds the Flex with either FWD or AWD traction. For power, Flex carries Ford's fuel-efficient 3.5-liter V6 with 262 hp through a six-speed electronic automatic transaxle. Trims line up as a well-equipped SE edition, the upgraded SEL and top-tier Limited.

Escape
This compact-class CUV employs a monocoque platform that unites chassis and body into one rigid and cohesive unit. It stocks premium equipment and optional V6 power plus FWD or AWD traction. More equipment goes into the 2009 editions of Escape, such as electric power assist steering (EPAS) and standard cruise control, and there are upscale cabin appointments like Ice Blue lighting. Powertrain upgrades apply with the new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine worth 171 hp as teamed with a five-speed automatic. The 3.0-liter V6 climbs to 240 hp and works with a new electronically controlled six-speed automatic.

Escape Hybrid
Ford's hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) off the Escape CUV has a new 153-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that drinks gasoline plus a battery-powered electric motor. The electric plant can propel the wagon or work with the gas engine to deliver a power boost like the kick of a V6. An electronic control module manages energy produced by the two plants and sends it directly to the front wheels — or to all four wheels for the AWD version. A new model — Escape Limited Hybrid — adds chrome accents and more luxury goods in the cabin.

Taurus X
Ford's other mid-size CUV has an impressively long wheelbase of 112.9 inches, which creates lots of room for a big passenger compartment. The cabin has multiple configurations for seats and cargo. There's room for six or seven on three tiers of seats with buckets up front and a back bench folding flat into the floor. Trims run from SEL to Eddie Bauer and luxurious Limited. The Eddie Bauer series has two-tone paint, 18-inch aluminum wheels and wiper-activated headlamps. Taurus X offers FWD or AWD grip. For power, a 3.5-liter V6 develops 263 hp with a six-speed automatic.

Expedition
Ford's full-size SUV for 2009 comes in two versions — standard-length Expedition and stretched EL ("extended length") adding a foot-long wheelbase extension with more room in a vast cabin. Body styling is bold, as derived from Ford's F-150 truck with prominent three-bar grille and powerdome hood. There's muscle aboard due to Ford's 5.4-liter Triton V8 now pumping 310 hp through a six-speed automatic transmission, plus huge torque to elevate tow capacity to 9,200 pounds. For 2009, Expedition has a new flex-fuel version, which runs on gasoline or E85 ethanol.

Explorer
Ford's mid-size SUV presents rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) options. Trims appears as XLT, Eddie Bauer and luxurious Limited, plus the new XLT sport package. Explorer's cabin configures three ways with seating for five or six or seven. The optional PowerFold seat on Row 3 drops seatbacks into the floor. Powertrains include a 4.0-liter V6 with 210 hp or 4.6-liter V8 netting 292 hp through a six-speed automatic. Ford Sync, the voice-activated controller for in-car communications and entertainment system, is an option.

Explorer Sport Trac
More gear goes into this sport utility truck (SUT), such as foglamps, a leather-wraspped steering wheel and Ford's Safety Canopy curtain-style air bags. Sport Trac uses Explorer's chassis and carries Explorer's four-door and five-seat cabin but also the abbreviated bed of a pickup truck. Two engine choices include the standard 4.0-liter V6, which makes 210 hp, while an optional 4.6-liter V6 punches out 292 hp in concert with a new six-speed automatic. Sport Trac comes in 2WD and 4WD versions with trims of XLT and Limited. The trailer towing capacity climbs to 7,160 pounds for a 2WD version.

For more information on Ford SUVs and wagons.