Ford Escape Hybrid Test drive
Took my first Ford Escape hybrid test drive this weekend.
With last week's Prius test drive fresh in my mind, I was really looking forward to testing America's first full hybrid SUV.
The first thing I noticed about the SUV, as a seasoned hybrid tester, also says the most about the Escape hybrid. Ford's Escape hybrid looks just like a standard Ford Escape.
I know this might sound odd, but the Prius looks so different, and that feeling begins at the outside of the hybrid car and carries into the inside of the vehicle as well.
Still, the Escape Hybrid is a good looking SUV from the outside.
Inside, the Escape hybrid also looks pretty much like a standard Escape as well - in form and function.
For example, shifting into drive and reverse in the hybrid Escape is just like shifting in a manual transmission Escape, unlike the Prius.
Shifting the Prius is a bit different than a standard manual transmission, and since Ford leased some hybrid technology from Toyota, I had wondered how Ford would handle this issue.
And I think Ford made the right decision by not making the Escape hybrid seem too different. If you make the Escape hybrid seem difficult and confusing compared to the standard Escape, the hybrid technology might loose its luster.
I turned the Escape over and it sounded just like a standard car, at least for the first few minutes. Then the hybrid seemed to shut off, as it went into electric mode, utilizing only battery power. All of this my salesman pointed out, as it happened, on a miniconsule embedded in the middle of the dash.
This fully loaded hybrid SUV with leather seats also included a navigation system, 6 cd stereo, and BlueTooth capability for hands-free phone access.
At this point my salesman pulled out his cell phone charger. Not a car charger, the charger he uses at home and plugged it into the Escape. I could have just as easily plugged in my laptop, TV, or hairdryer.
Nice feature.
As I shifted into Drive and touched the gas, the gasoline engine instantly added to the power of the electric motor and we quickly zoomed onto the street.
While the Escape hybrid is only a V4, the hybrid powertrain provides the power of a V6 and the Escape moves well.
We quickly drove towards the freeway. The Escape was full of power and the idea of hybrid technology disappeared from thought, even after slowing and speeding in an effort to toy with advanced powertrain.
Nice ride.
A loaded Ford Escape hybrid acts almost exactly like the Ford Escape, it just does it much more efficiently.
If you are looking for a hybrid SUV, the Ford Escape Hybrid is a good choice, and it is your only choice until at least April.
Click for more Ford Escape Hybrid.
Labels: electric cars, ford escape hybrid, hybrid cars, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns @ 8:43 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
I purchased a FWD Escape Hybrid in March. With VERY gentle driving, you can match the EPA sticker of 36 MPG but it takes some effort and modified driving techniques. You must be very light on the gas pedal, accelerate slowly, and coast as much as possible around town. HOWEVER... on a recent drive from California to Colorado over the Rocky Mountains, under some demanding mountain drivng conditions, the Escape Hybrid SURPASSED the EPA rating of 31 MPG highway. Over 400 miles of mountian driving I averaged 34 MPG at speeds between 65 and 80 MPH.
This little engine actually gets better mileage at higher speeds than lower. Optimum speed, about 40 - 45 MPH can achieve 40 MPG.
The battery power is meant more as a boost, than for continuous driving. Using the battery only for continuous driving yeilds only 4 miles on a charge, a bit disappointing... but the gasoline engine has exceeded my expectations with about 34 miles to a gallon. Not bad since this is a heavy vehicle. - John
That's good news. I can't believe the Escape hybrid was able to surpass the highway EPA estimates on mountain driving.
You must modify your driving a bit. Interstate 70 is posted as 75 MPH most of the trip. I eased up and went 60-65 MPH uphill, then managed about 80 MPH going downhill. By being VERY gentle on the gas pedal, you can get excellent economy. The Mountains may be better than flat land. Going down hills steep enough to coast ( 5% or more )you don't use a drop of gas. Going downhill mostly ( Continental Divide to Denver )Use used gas for about 5 miles out of 30. - John in Colorado.
John, the way you describe your driving, in a way, reminds me of how I used to commute into Los Angeles. Lots of coasting and you are forced to be gentle on the gas pedal. In fact, breaking is the most common action.
Have you driven your Escape hybrid in much stop and go traffic?
I have done about 75% highway and 25% city over the 1500 miles I have owned it. In the city, I have been getting 37 on the dash board computer, but have not filled up yet to verify with actual gallons pumped. On my highway driving, the dash computer reads about 1.5 to 2.0 on the high side. A reading of 36 is more like 34 in real life. Still good in my book.
Dear author,
The Escape Hybrid is NOT a "V4". It's an inline 4!! Makes me wonder what your automotive credentials are.
Hybrid Fan
Thanks Denis -
You are right. As you know, many vehicles are now inline, yet most Americans still call an inline 4 a V4. I shop for hybrid vehicles regularly, and almost every salesperson calls the Ford Escape hybrid a V4. The real point, especially in terms of hybrid efficiency, is still the number, an inline 4 versus an inline 6 offers much higher fuel economy. Nonetheless, it is a poor habit.
Re: my automotive credentials
I am not a car nut. I once bought a book and learned how to fix many things on my '94 Nissan Sentra XE, simply because I like to do things myself. That's as mechanically technical as I've ever become regarding automobiles.
I am computer guy, which means I can understand the software that runs a hybrid far better than I can understand the internal combustion engine.
Still, since computers are VITAL for hybrid technology and becoming VITAL for the future of automobiles, I'd say that ups my credentials. Computers are the future, the internal combustion engine is the past.
I'm not a pure car nut because for me transportation is about getting from point a to point b, which is why I've built my life around the Goldline subway in Los Angeles.
Even though I live in California, I've thought the car culture in America - where looking cool while going from point A to point B, regardless of efficiency, was and is ignorant.
Hybrid cars made me realize that technology, not just conservation, could finally break America of what I consider to be one of the greatest issues facing America, foreign oil dependency.
I am not a hybrid fan because I think it's the coolest automotive technology - although I do - I promote it because I believe in technology as the answer to America's foreign oil dependency, particularly since Americans so dearly love gas-guzzling power.
The essence of Soultek is technology, but technology with soul - that is technology which is equally motivated by creating a better world for people as much as it is motivated by profit, in other words, humanistic technology.
This venture will probably never be very profitable, but I don't care. I am driven by passion, not profit, and I believe in what I'm doing.
How many so-called automotive experts spin their writing to flatter GM because they want a piece of its essential-for-survival advertising budget? I'd say almost every major autorag often fits that category.
My goal, Soultek's goal, is to promote hybrid cars to make a better world, the typical autorag goal is to sell enough advertising space to make a profit.
I drive my Hybrid in the canadian winter. The truck performs above my expectations, but the transition gaz/electric is a little harsh at minus 20 and colder...
Its an AWD and it drives A-1 in snow and on ice.
I am proud to help preserving our planet by using a hybrid, but in numbers, i will never save in 5 years the hybrid costs...
But it's my small contribution for life quality...
Nice job FORD, keep on that way!!!
Robert
did the old escape hybrid offer bluetooth handsfree? I just ordered a new 2008 Escape Hybrid, and they don't offer it with Bluetooth built-in.
I am about to buy a used Escape hybrid but am concerned about the batteries going bad. It's a 2005.
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