2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

The Great Escape

The frugal Ford Escape Hybrid is one of the fuel-economy leaders among SUVs.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is perfect for the driver who needs more room than a midsize sedan but doesn't want a gas-guzzling SUV. It affords decent cargo space, a smooth ride and excellent fuel economy.

The Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Mazda Tribute Hybrid are all derived from the same platform, along with gasoline-powered versions of the same three models. The Escape Hybrid was the first gas/electric-powered SUV when it debuted for 2005.

Gas/electric hybrids employ a small electric motor in conjunction with a traditional gasoline combustion engine to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

The Ford Escape Hybrid’s powertrain is based on Toyota's hybrid technology. It combines a 133-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, generator and rechargeable battery pack. The combination produces the equivalent of 155 hp. The Escape Hybrid's gasoline engine shuts down at red lights and other temporary stops. At slower speeds, the vehicle runs on battery power alone. The gasoline engine kicks in automatically when accelerating hard, or when speeds exceed about 25 mph.

The Escape hybrid does not need to be plugged in — its batteries charge automatically while the car is in motion. Under deceleration or braking, a generator channels energy from the gasoline engine and brakes to recharge the batteries. The only available transmission is a continuously variable unit. An optional all-wheel-drive system works automatically to ensure stability over a wide range of road and weather conditions, but the Escape Hybrid is not equipped for anything beyond mild off-roading.

The Ford Escape Hybrid delivers acceleration equivalent to the conventional V6-powered Escape, but with better fuel economy than the four-cylinder gasoline model.

As with most other vehicles, drivers might not be able to replicate EPA mileage ratings in the real world. This discrepancy can be even larger if a motorist drives primarily on the highway, where the Escape Hybrid relies more on the gasoline engine than the electric motor to maintain speed.

Aside from its powertrain, the Escape Hybrid is just like a fully equipped gasoline Escape. An optional Safety Package includes front side airbags and a Safety Canopy head-curtain airbag system that’s designed to protect occupants in case of a rollover. It senses when the vehicle might roll, and leaves the airbags inflated for a period after they deploy in case the car flips more than once.

Is the Ford Escape Hybrid for You?

Buy the Escape Hybrid if	You're in the market for a compact SUV and can afford to pay more than $25,000 for one; you're concerned about the environment and conserving non-renewable resources.
Keep Looking if	You do serious off-road travel; you need to tow or haul heavy loads; a hybrid car, which gets even better gas mileage, fits your needs just as well.
Who Fits?	Four adults will fit in the Escape’s tidy cabin, though backseat passengers might find legroom lacking if they're sitting behind taller front occupants; relatively low ground clearance provides easy access for shorter motorists.
Closest Competitors	Mazda Tribute Hybrid Mercury Mariner Hybrid Saturn Vue Green Line Toyota Highlander Hybrid