The Escape has never been a standout in its appearance, nor has it ever been regarded unattractive. Functional may be the most apt description. Ford’s venerable Duratec 3.0 V6 displacing three liters arrives for ’09 with new twists: a six-speed autobox, electric-assist EPS steering (no pump thus no parasitic losses), and a host of massages and tweaks. The resulting 240 hp (40 hp gain) and 223 lb·ft of torque make for surprising speed and handling.