A REVIEW OF THE NEW 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID:

The Escape Hybrid still comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Ford’s engineers have eliminated the transmission’s endlessly annoying, never-shifting whine; it finally works, feels and sounds like a standard autobox. Ford’s hybrid team has also created a brake simulation module to convince Escape drivers there are normal, non-regenerative stoppers underfoot. Job done. Perhaps most importantly, the Escape’s noise, vibration and harshness levels have been reduced significantly.

The review’s still kinda lukewarm, though. And Ford’s losing money on them.