2006 Ford Escape Hybrid Test Drive

Ford's SUV for the New Millenium

Kermit was wrong. It's very easy being green. The 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid is a fuel-efficient SUV. No, it's not an oxymoron.

From The Driver's Seat

One of the most pleasing aspects of the Escape is its conventional styling. We've always liked the Escape's no-nonsense appearance; it's an SUV that looks like a truck and isn't ashamed of that. True, Ford could (and perhaps, in the future, will) reengineer the shape of the vehicle to increase mileage gains, but for now what you have is an SUV that, like Honda's hybrid Accord, looks just like it's ordinary gas-only cousin.

As for how the Escape Hybrid actually goes, the answer is quite nicely -- if not exactly quickly. Sidle behind the wheel and,other thana small gauge that indicates the boost from the electric motor, the interior looks just like that of a typical car -- not like some sort of space pod. Turn the key and both the electric and gas engines fire up, but unless the gas motor is needed, you can pull out into traffic under full electric power. Ford and Toyota have made much PR hay of this because Honda's hybrids currently don't run solely on electric motors, save when idling.

So what, we say. In terms of mileage saved, the distinction is hardly worth hyping. And unless you completely baby both this Ford and Toyota's hybrids when accelerating from a stop, you'll quickly engage their gas motors anyway.

More on the driving experience in a moment; first, though, it's worth noting that the Escape Hybrid has plenty of room inside, with as much front- and second-row headroom as the Highlander Hybrid -- and nearly the same legroom and shoulder room. It's a little skimpy on cargo space when compared with the Toyota, which also gets a third row of seats and is a larger vehicle in general. But the Ford is $6,000 cheaper and gets better mileage in both the city and on the interstate. If you only need seating for five, there's plenty of cargo room. And when you flip the rear seats forward, you have 65 cubic feet of space -- roominess that's on par or better than that of many wagons in this price range and superior to several crossover SUVs.

The Ford Escape Hybrid's batteries are in the floor of the rear cargo area.

Still, the cabin could be more stylish. Ford has done a decent job of improving material grades, but we've seen more evidence of that in the F-150 than in the Escape.

There are some clever features, however; the screen that houses the GPS unit, which, by the way, runs on some fairly rudimentary software -- both Honda and Toyota do a much better jobwith this -- can also display, in real time, whether the gas or the electric motor is supplying power, and in what ratio. More practically, there's a 110-volt two-prong socket right next to the gearshift lever, so you can charge your cell phone or iPod without a 12-volt adapter. Someday, we pray, this will become a standard feature on all vehicles.

As for driving the Escape, it performs like an absolutely ordinary vehicle, save for a few hybrid-like tendencies. For instance, the gasoline motor shuts down entirely whenever you stop, even if you have the volume on the stereo cranked and the A/C blowing full blast. If that's not the case, you will encounter the customary odd silence, as you hear next to nothing while parked or waiting for a light to change. Stomp on the gas and the internal combustion engine will rouse to life with a little shudder. This is perfectly normal and, after a day or so, it seems just that.

We won't, however, claim that the Escape Hybrid is particularly fleet if you do plant your right foot down with authority. This vehicle weighs 3,775 pounds and only puts out 155 hp (the combined electric and gas motor's peak output). Compare that with a Highlander that weighs 4,245 pounds and cranks out 268 hp (again, the combined electric and gas motor's peak output), and you can do the math yourself. The Highlander pulls 15.8 pounds for each unit of horsepower, while the Escape has to tug 24.3 pounds. The application of power in the Ford is helped by the CVT (continuously variable) transmission, which somewhat eliminates torque peaks and troughs. But there's only so much that can be done to make a somewhat tame vehicle feel faster. To keep things in perspective, weunderstand thatwe're talking about a hybrid. But hybrids don't need to be pokey; Honda claims its Accord Hybrid is faster than its conventional model (and in our experience, they're right). The Highlander Hybrid 4WD, meanwhile, chases down 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds--quite quick indeed.

In comparison, Car and Driver magazine clocked a zero to 60 mph time ofover 11 seconds for the Escape Hybrid. That's pretty darn slow (most cars and SUVs sold these days can achieve the mark in less than ten seconds).

The good news is that most of the time this vehicle doesn't feel underpowered. When on the interstate, the Escape Hybrid has enough guts to accelerate in order to merge into another lane. And around town you'll hardly feel starved for acceleration. It should also be noted that the Escape Hybrid has the ground clearance and 4WD capabilities of a decent crossover. Not that we would go fording streambeds in one, but if you have a ski house to reach, this vehicle is certainly capable of getting you there comfortably and safely.