I drive a little car. I’m a speed girl; I prefer manual; I like tight turns and ballsy sounds pouring from my engine. So, when I was thrown into an 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid during my recent trip to L.A.*, I wasn’t expecting much more than your typical SUV experience. In some ways, it was a typical SUV experience: I took curves at the suggested speed; I braked sooner than I typically like to; I added a few points to my x-point turns. However, I walked away feeling kind of — good — about the car. “Good” as in… I would consider getting one. And after a little soul-searching, I think I’ve sorted out my reasons for this slight change of heart.

Firstly, the Escape used to look like a girl. Okay, I guess, but If I’m driving something girly, I also require it to be sexy — something that the old Escape was decidedly not. The ‘08 Escape looks a little bit like it got into some of her daddy’s creatine, and I think it suits her well. Next up: its a hybrid. A hybrid. That’s a magical word for me, as it can be interpreted to mean more compassionate and less expensive (a union of terms normally reserved for things I’m too weak to consider… like becoming a nun). Lastly, well, it’s an SUV, an attribute that does pack a perk or two, particularly once the snow starts falling.

There are a few SUV Hybrids out there right now, and, because I haven’t tested them all, these few paragraphs might be skewed in the Escape’s direction. Feel free to call me out on that. But in the meantime, if you’re in the market, check this one out, because even though she’s not as perky as I like my cars to be, she’s still got her perks. Little ones; like saving the world and stuff.

* BIG thanks go out to all of you who gave me trip advice! You guys are the best.