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The Ford Escape Hybrid, the first SUV with a gasoline/electric powertrain, gets the boost it needed for 2009 with more power and slightly improved fuel economy.

Scads of new hybrid models are rolling into U.S. showrooms in the face of rising gas prices, everything from subcompact cars to full-size luxury SUVs, and Escape Hybrid needed the upgrade.

The four-cylinder gasoline engine moves up to 2.5-liter from 2.3 on both hybrid and regular Escapes, with the hybrid engine operating with different camshaft and intake parameters to make it compatible with the electric motor. Horsepower rises to 153 from 133 for the inline-4 engine, with the equivalent of 94 horsepower created by the electric motor.

Miles per gallon go up by one for highway driving.

Escape now accelerates more aggressively and cruises more comfortably. With the air-conditioning either turned off or set on “Econ,” the engine shuts down when Escape is stopped. The electric motor provides the power from a standstill and up to 40 mph, if the driver is light on the throttle.

Escape will run silently on electric power at neighborhood speeds, although on hot days, the temperature in the cabin will climb as the belt-driven AC loses its cool. Then you have to let the engine crank and the heck with fuel economy.

Good driving technique is required to get the most mileage out of any hybrid, with the driver needing to monitor how well the system is working.

One thing that’s missing in the Escape’s gauge cluster is a continuous readout of miles per gallon, which helps the driver adjust while creating something of a game out of saving gas. The tachometer shows when the gas engine is shut down, and there is a graphic depiction of fuel mileage on the navigation screen, but it would be good if Escape also had a front-and-center digital mpg gauge.

Ford Escape Hybrid

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door SUV, front-wheel drive.

Engine: 2.5-liter inline-4, 153 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 136 pound-feet torque at 4,500 rpm; 94 horsepower electric motor.

Transmission: Continuously variable.

Wheelbase: 103.1 inches.

Overall length: 174.7 inches.

Curb weight: 3,669 pounds.

EPA rating: 34 city, 31 highway.

HIGHS: Improved fuel mileage, better performance, good drivability.

LOWS: Engine acceleration roar, needs better mpg display, awkward back-seat folding.

PERFORMANCE: Escape Hybrid accelerates nicely with the additional power, although there is quite a bit unfettered engine roar. The gas/electric power exchange is seamless, and it drives nicely in electric-only mode.

I’ve never been a big fan of continuously variable transmissions, but this one is pretty responsive and serves the purpose of raising fuel economy.

The fuel-mileage gains can be thwarted by fast accelerations and careless driving, so there is some weight on the driver to make it all work properly.

DRIVABILITY: I’ve always liked the drivability of Escape and its corporate siblings, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute, and the hybrid version does not disappoint. It does feel heavier, which it is, but the handling is above par and the brakes, which include an electric regenerating function, work nicely.

STYLING: Escape continues last year’s restyle that gave it a bolder look, closer in appearance to the bigger Explorer. Aerodynamically, it’s a brick and could use some wind-cheating add-ons, such as a big front air dam, for better highway mileage.

INTERIOR: Pretty straightforward with nothing either special or annoying. The materials seem high quality and the combination navigation/audio/hybrid video monitor works well.

The process of folding down the rear seat is kind of a chore and should be updated.

BOTTOM LINE: Escape, also available with all-wheel drive, is well-priced considering its versatility and economy.

Base price: $27,445.

Price as tested: $30,835.

OPTIONS

Navigation and audio-system upgrade, $2,695.

Shipping, $695.