What Is It?
2005 Ford Escape Hybrid
What's Special About It?
After years of promising the first-ever hybrid SUV, Ford has finally come through with a gas-electric version of its best-selling Escape sport-ute. Through the use of a traditional four-cylinder gas engine combined with torque rich electric drive motor, the Escape Hybrid is expected to achieve between 35 and 40 mpg in the city while delivering performance on par with the standard V6 model. Like Toyota's popular Prius hybrid sedan, the Escape shuts off when stopped to conserve fuel and starts back up again as soon as you hit the gas. Although it is able to run on electric power only, most driving circumstances will require help from both of its on-board power sources.
More than just a gas-sipping experiment, the Escape Hybrid offers all the functionality and performance of a standard Escape. The recently revamped interior looks better than ever before and with 65 cubic feet of available cargo space there's plenty of room for weekend trips of all kinds. Both two- and four-wheel-drive versions will be offered when it goes on sale at the end of this summer.
What's Edmunds Take?
It took a little longer than expected, but we're glad Ford stuck with the program and delivered the Escape Hybrid as promised. As much credit as Toyota and Honda get for being on the market with hybrid vehicles, the use of hybrid technology to drastically improve the mileage of gas-guzzling SUVs is a much tougher endeavor than making already frugal econoboxes that much more efficient. If the Escape performs as well in the real world as it does on paper, expect a Prius-like following to ensue this fall. — Ed Hellwig
2005 Ford Escape Hybrid
What's Special About It?
After years of promising the first-ever hybrid SUV, Ford has finally come through with a gas-electric version of its best-selling Escape sport-ute. Through the use of a traditional four-cylinder gas engine combined with torque rich electric drive motor, the Escape Hybrid is expected to achieve between 35 and 40 mpg in the city while delivering performance on par with the standard V6 model. Like Toyota's popular Prius hybrid sedan, the Escape shuts off when stopped to conserve fuel and starts back up again as soon as you hit the gas. Although it is able to run on electric power only, most driving circumstances will require help from both of its on-board power sources.
More than just a gas-sipping experiment, the Escape Hybrid offers all the functionality and performance of a standard Escape. The recently revamped interior looks better than ever before and with 65 cubic feet of available cargo space there's plenty of room for weekend trips of all kinds. Both two- and four-wheel-drive versions will be offered when it goes on sale at the end of this summer.
What's Edmunds Take?
It took a little longer than expected, but we're glad Ford stuck with the program and delivered the Escape Hybrid as promised. As much credit as Toyota and Honda get for being on the market with hybrid vehicles, the use of hybrid technology to drastically improve the mileage of gas-guzzling SUVs is a much tougher endeavor than making already frugal econoboxes that much more efficient. If the Escape performs as well in the real world as it does on paper, expect a Prius-like following to ensue this fall. — Ed Hellwig
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