Road Test
Long-Term Test: 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid
Introduction
There was a time, not so long ago, when the only people interested in hybrids were those who wore Birkenstocks and voted for Ralph Nader. That's changed. Steep gas prices have piqued the interest of many who wouldn't typically opt for these nifty green machines. Manufacturers have responded by increasing the array of hybrid vehicles available to the public; recently, we've seen the introduction of hybrid versions of popular vehicles like the Honda Civic and Honda Accord. And now buyers who crave SUV go-anywhere versatility and hybrid frugality can have their cake and eat it, too — Ford's new Escape Hybrid is the first-ever hybrid SUV, and promises to offer something for everyone.
The Escape is the third hybrid to spend time in our long-term fleet. The first of these fuel-sippers to roll into our garage was the Honda Insight. Eye-catching and quirky, the Insight achieved stellar mileage, averaging a very compelling 53 miles per gallon while in our custody. But its piousness came at a price. We found the two-seat hatchback's interior somewhat cramped. And though we deemed the Insight's powertrain (which gets 67 horsepower from the gas engine, and 6 extra horses from the electric motor) adequate when piloting one passenger, the situation changed when another body or cargo was added to the mix. With maximum payload clocking in at a scant 365 pounds, it didn't take much to tax the hatchback's performance.
Next up was the Toyota Prius, which still enjoys a spot in our long-term rotation. While the Prius' mileage isn't quite as dazzling as the Insight's (thus far, we've averaged 41 mpg), the four-door hatchback shines more brightly in a host of other areas. With more interior room, the Prius can transport four with ease; open up the rear hatch and it proves surprisingly adept at swallowing cargo. Power is adequate (the Prius achieves net horsepower of 110), with plenty of juice on hand to dart in and out of traffic. Overall, the Prius is a very practical choice for the car buyer with a yen for hybrid technology, and it's impressed many on our staff with its versatility.
Needless to say, we expect all this versatility and then some from our new Escape Hybrid. The 'ute has 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats (compared to 16 cubes in the Prius) and a maximum capacity of nearly 70 cubic feet. It boasts net horsepower of 155. And with 8 inches of ground clearance — versus the Prius' 4.9 — it's capable of journeying to places the Toyota wouldn't dream of.
Like the Prius, the Escape Hybrid is a "strong" hybrid — meaning that it's able to run solely on the strength of either its gas or electric motor. It's worth noting, though, that full electric propulsion is possible only at speeds at or below 25 mph. The 'ute is currently the most fuel-efficient SUV in the nation; the Escape Hybrid's sticker promises approximately a 50-percent overall fuel economy improvement over its conventional V6-powered sibling.
And unlike the Insight, its strong showing in this area doesn't come at the expense of performance; Ford boasts that the Escape Hybrid's 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine and electric motor join forces to spur performance similar to the V6 Escape model. In reality, more than a second separates the two in 0-to-60-mph acceleration tests, but our early impressions in real-world situations suggest that the Hybrid does indeed behave much like the V6 version. Best of all, the 'ute accomplishes this while handling the environment with kid gloves. Its tailpipe emissions are low enough to qualify the vehicle for the stringent Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards; the Escape Hybrid produces as little as half the carbon dioxide of a conventional compact SUV.
Purchasing our Escape Hybrid was relatively hassle-free. Says Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed, "The vehicle was ordered from Ford by our manager of vehicle testing, Kelly Toepke. It was delivered to Santa Monica Ford where we dealt with the fleet manager. He called us to say that our Escape Hybrid actually came in a week early. It was the first Ford Escape Hybrid that they sold through that dealership. We brought him a check for $33,678.78 (we paid a sticker price of $30,825 for the car and the rest is fees), and he had the contracts waiting to be signed. It was a very speedy process that took less than 15 minutes. Before we knew it, we were driving one of the first Ford Escape Hybrids through the streets of Santa Monica."
The Escape Hybrid's looks proved an immediate hit with most of our staff. The 'ute is almost identical to the conventional Escape, with the primary differentiator being the "Hybrid" badges mounted to its sides and rear. This is good news for those who have always been fans of the sport-ute's clean lines. Commented Photo Editor Scott Jacobs, "The best thing this SUV has got going for it is its looks. It has a sporty, fun look."
New Vehicle Reviews Editor Jeff Bryan was also won over by the 'ute's appearance, and offered these comments: "I like that it's a lot more anonymous than most other hybrids. It's not as in-your-face, which is good for those who aren't looking to make a statement."
However, others wished that the 'ute's hybrid roots were more obvious. "Part of the fun of driving a hybrid rests in knowing that you're doing something good for the environment," opines one editor. "When I'm driving the Prius, other drivers wave and give me the thumbs-up, in support of my piloting a 'green machine.' Not so with the Escape. It looks like any other SUV, so it doesn't inspire the same enthusiasm."
Slide into its cabin, and the Escape Hybrid continues to impress. Many editors found its cabin attractive and well laid out; seats were comfy and controls were reasonably intuitive. We also approved of the relatively conventional way in which the 'ute's engine roars to life. Said one of our editors: "The Prius' keyless-start system is great, but it creates problems when the car is being valet parked, since many attendants don't know how to operate the system. It's also a hassle in car washes. Ford's system — in which the engine is powered up by turning a key — is less fun to use, but creates less headaches in the long run."
However, there were a couple of disappointments. Like the Prius and the Insight, the Escape Hybrid features a display screen that offers a digital rendering of the 'ute's hybrid technology in action. However, at only 4 inches in size, the screen in the Ford is significantly smaller. "Perhaps they kept it like it is so you wouldn't think it was any different [from the conventional Escape]," mused one of our editors. Regardless, we would have preferred a larger display.
We also had a gripe with regard to the vehicle's air conditioning. Remarks Road Test Editor Dan Kahn: "The air only blew cold when the dial was on the maximum setting. However, maintaining this setting necessitates the gas motor being turned on all the time. This defeats the purpose of the hybrid technology."
When it comes to driving performance, thus far, the Escape Hybrid has scored mixed comments from our crew. A couple of our editors found the 'ute's hybrid powertrain more than adequate in most situations. Says Content Editor Warren Clarke: "The Mazda Tribute is the conventional Escape's twin; we had a V6 Tribute in our long-term fleet a while back, and I logged some time behind the wheel. Based on this experience, I think Ford is right on the money in its claim that the Escape Hybrid is as peppy as a conventional V6 Escape/Tribute. In rush-hour traffic on the freeway, it never left me wanting when I needed a burst of power to thread an opening. And it held its own on steep gradients. I live on a hillside, and the 'ute never seemed to be struggling as it tackled the slopes."
Jeff had this to add: "When driving at low speeds or taking off from a stop, the gas engine didn't come on as quickly as the Prius' — this made it easier to drive in stop-and-go traffic."
Others were lukewarm in their assessments. Says Scott: "I've driven several CVT cars, so I'm used to the strange whir and rev sounds. The power was a little on the weak side, but it seemed to do OK." Dan, who executed the Escape's track testing, had this to say: "The Escape Hybrid's electric battery is stashed in the rear of the vehicle. I found that the 'ute had a tendency to step out a bit in the rear while running through the slalom, which is not good; I suspect this had something to do with the extra weight in back due to the batteries. Also, it wasn't as smooth as other hybrids I've driven. There was a visible shudder when switching from the electric to gas motor. Don't get me wrong — I liked it. I just thought it could be a bit more refined after all the hype."
Thus far, our time with the Escape Hybrid has revealed a vehicle with numerous strengths and a few shortcomings. Will it unseat the Prius as the hybrid we'd most like to have in our personal fleet? Stay tuned.
Current Odometer: 669
Best Fuel Economy: 28.2 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 21.4 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 25.5 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None
The Escape is the third hybrid to spend time in our long-term fleet. The first of these fuel-sippers to roll into our garage was the Honda Insight. Eye-catching and quirky, the Insight achieved stellar mileage, averaging a very compelling 53 miles per gallon while in our custody. But its piousness came at a price. We found the two-seat hatchback's interior somewhat cramped. And though we deemed the Insight's powertrain (which gets 67 horsepower from the gas engine, and 6 extra horses from the electric motor) adequate when piloting one passenger, the situation changed when another body or cargo was added to the mix. With maximum payload clocking in at a scant 365 pounds, it didn't take much to tax the hatchback's performance.
Next up was the Toyota Prius, which still enjoys a spot in our long-term rotation. While the Prius' mileage isn't quite as dazzling as the Insight's (thus far, we've averaged 41 mpg), the four-door hatchback shines more brightly in a host of other areas. With more interior room, the Prius can transport four with ease; open up the rear hatch and it proves surprisingly adept at swallowing cargo. Power is adequate (the Prius achieves net horsepower of 110), with plenty of juice on hand to dart in and out of traffic. Overall, the Prius is a very practical choice for the car buyer with a yen for hybrid technology, and it's impressed many on our staff with its versatility.
Needless to say, we expect all this versatility and then some from our new Escape Hybrid. The 'ute has 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats (compared to 16 cubes in the Prius) and a maximum capacity of nearly 70 cubic feet. It boasts net horsepower of 155. And with 8 inches of ground clearance — versus the Prius' 4.9 — it's capable of journeying to places the Toyota wouldn't dream of.
Like the Prius, the Escape Hybrid is a "strong" hybrid — meaning that it's able to run solely on the strength of either its gas or electric motor. It's worth noting, though, that full electric propulsion is possible only at speeds at or below 25 mph. The 'ute is currently the most fuel-efficient SUV in the nation; the Escape Hybrid's sticker promises approximately a 50-percent overall fuel economy improvement over its conventional V6-powered sibling.
And unlike the Insight, its strong showing in this area doesn't come at the expense of performance; Ford boasts that the Escape Hybrid's 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine and electric motor join forces to spur performance similar to the V6 Escape model. In reality, more than a second separates the two in 0-to-60-mph acceleration tests, but our early impressions in real-world situations suggest that the Hybrid does indeed behave much like the V6 version. Best of all, the 'ute accomplishes this while handling the environment with kid gloves. Its tailpipe emissions are low enough to qualify the vehicle for the stringent Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards; the Escape Hybrid produces as little as half the carbon dioxide of a conventional compact SUV.
Purchasing our Escape Hybrid was relatively hassle-free. Says Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed, "The vehicle was ordered from Ford by our manager of vehicle testing, Kelly Toepke. It was delivered to Santa Monica Ford where we dealt with the fleet manager. He called us to say that our Escape Hybrid actually came in a week early. It was the first Ford Escape Hybrid that they sold through that dealership. We brought him a check for $33,678.78 (we paid a sticker price of $30,825 for the car and the rest is fees), and he had the contracts waiting to be signed. It was a very speedy process that took less than 15 minutes. Before we knew it, we were driving one of the first Ford Escape Hybrids through the streets of Santa Monica."
The Escape Hybrid's looks proved an immediate hit with most of our staff. The 'ute is almost identical to the conventional Escape, with the primary differentiator being the "Hybrid" badges mounted to its sides and rear. This is good news for those who have always been fans of the sport-ute's clean lines. Commented Photo Editor Scott Jacobs, "The best thing this SUV has got going for it is its looks. It has a sporty, fun look."
New Vehicle Reviews Editor Jeff Bryan was also won over by the 'ute's appearance, and offered these comments: "I like that it's a lot more anonymous than most other hybrids. It's not as in-your-face, which is good for those who aren't looking to make a statement."
However, others wished that the 'ute's hybrid roots were more obvious. "Part of the fun of driving a hybrid rests in knowing that you're doing something good for the environment," opines one editor. "When I'm driving the Prius, other drivers wave and give me the thumbs-up, in support of my piloting a 'green machine.' Not so with the Escape. It looks like any other SUV, so it doesn't inspire the same enthusiasm."
Slide into its cabin, and the Escape Hybrid continues to impress. Many editors found its cabin attractive and well laid out; seats were comfy and controls were reasonably intuitive. We also approved of the relatively conventional way in which the 'ute's engine roars to life. Said one of our editors: "The Prius' keyless-start system is great, but it creates problems when the car is being valet parked, since many attendants don't know how to operate the system. It's also a hassle in car washes. Ford's system — in which the engine is powered up by turning a key — is less fun to use, but creates less headaches in the long run."
However, there were a couple of disappointments. Like the Prius and the Insight, the Escape Hybrid features a display screen that offers a digital rendering of the 'ute's hybrid technology in action. However, at only 4 inches in size, the screen in the Ford is significantly smaller. "Perhaps they kept it like it is so you wouldn't think it was any different [from the conventional Escape]," mused one of our editors. Regardless, we would have preferred a larger display.
We also had a gripe with regard to the vehicle's air conditioning. Remarks Road Test Editor Dan Kahn: "The air only blew cold when the dial was on the maximum setting. However, maintaining this setting necessitates the gas motor being turned on all the time. This defeats the purpose of the hybrid technology."
When it comes to driving performance, thus far, the Escape Hybrid has scored mixed comments from our crew. A couple of our editors found the 'ute's hybrid powertrain more than adequate in most situations. Says Content Editor Warren Clarke: "The Mazda Tribute is the conventional Escape's twin; we had a V6 Tribute in our long-term fleet a while back, and I logged some time behind the wheel. Based on this experience, I think Ford is right on the money in its claim that the Escape Hybrid is as peppy as a conventional V6 Escape/Tribute. In rush-hour traffic on the freeway, it never left me wanting when I needed a burst of power to thread an opening. And it held its own on steep gradients. I live on a hillside, and the 'ute never seemed to be struggling as it tackled the slopes."
Jeff had this to add: "When driving at low speeds or taking off from a stop, the gas engine didn't come on as quickly as the Prius' — this made it easier to drive in stop-and-go traffic."
Others were lukewarm in their assessments. Says Scott: "I've driven several CVT cars, so I'm used to the strange whir and rev sounds. The power was a little on the weak side, but it seemed to do OK." Dan, who executed the Escape's track testing, had this to say: "The Escape Hybrid's electric battery is stashed in the rear of the vehicle. I found that the 'ute had a tendency to step out a bit in the rear while running through the slalom, which is not good; I suspect this had something to do with the extra weight in back due to the batteries. Also, it wasn't as smooth as other hybrids I've driven. There was a visible shudder when switching from the electric to gas motor. Don't get me wrong — I liked it. I just thought it could be a bit more refined after all the hype."
Thus far, our time with the Escape Hybrid has revealed a vehicle with numerous strengths and a few shortcomings. Will it unseat the Prius as the hybrid we'd most like to have in our personal fleet? Stay tuned.
Current Odometer: 669
Best Fuel Economy: 28.2 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 21.4 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 25.5 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None
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