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Story
-->>Hybrid
Buyer's Club
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Updated: April 01, 2005
Scientists claim that
doing things differently forces the brain to work harder
which exercises the brain. Consequently,
some have recommended eating with chopsticks when out
for Asian food, or taking a different route to work, as
everyday ways to enhance your intelligence.
Well, driving a Toyota Prius
might also fit into that "raising your
intelligence" category.
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Over the last week I have
published accounts of two recent test drives of the Toyota
Prius hybrid and the Ford
Escape hybrid.
The main difference between these
hybrid vehicles, and there are many, is simply that the Prius
feels different. Not in a bad way, mind you, but in a
futuristic way. Sitting in the Prius hybrid is like sitting in
the future.
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Toyota
Prius
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Ford
Escape Hybrid
Test Drive(<<)
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Hybrid Car Info.
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Nonetheless, both the
Prius and the Escape hybrid are excellent vehicles.
The Prius and the Escape will significantly reduce your
fuel consumption, while significantly reducing
pollution, and both vehicles are an example of what the
entire auto-industry should be doing.
While Ford had to lease some of it's hybrid technology
from Toyota, Ford integrated the hybrid functionality of
it's Escape hybrid to feel more like a standard Escape,
unlike the Prius. In my Escape
hybrid test drive, I noted that the Ford Escape
hybrid is pretty much the same as the standard Ford
Escape, just significantly more efficient.
On my Prius
test drive, on the other hand, I stated that I felt
like I was teenager again, behind the wheel of a car for
the first time. The Prius is unlike any other
automobile.
In my two test drives, I drove fully loaded models, yet
there were striking differences between these hybrid
vehicles.
Getting into the cockpit of the Prius, using the
SmartKey, was an eye-popping experience. On the other
hand, the Escape was standard technology. I just turned
the key.
I think this was an understandable move by Ford. If Ford
buyers are stuck in a choice between a hybrid Escape and
a standard Escape, Ford might want to market the main
difference as efficiency, rather than as how you start
the autos.
Still, this makes the Prius appear much more futuristic.
Shifting the Prius into drive is also a different
experience, as a small round dial shifts from Drive,
Reverse, and Highway modes.
Suddenly, driving feels different, like you need to pay
attention again. Like you just got smarter.
Of course, just as the Prius, you are reminded that the
Escape is not just like any other Escape. Shortly after
ignition, the hybrid SUV seems to shut down, as the
hybrid switches into full-electric mode.
As you watch this event on a mini-console embedded in
the dash of each car, you are reminded that a standard
internal combustion engine isn't powering these
vehicles.
Here again, the Prius mini-console and dash is more
elegant than the Ford. The screen in the Prius is larger
and easier to use, including some steering wheel access.
In fact, the entire dash on the Prius is not only
futuristic, but exceptionally functional and efficient,
right down to the dual glove compartments.
The Ford Escape hybrid dash feels just like any other
Ford, it isn't nearly as futuristic, nor functional or
efficient as the Prius. Additionally, while both
vehicles claim a 6 CD stereo, the Prius system is far
superior.
Since I often sit in the back seat, leg room is
important to me. Surprisingly, the Prius offered me more
legroom when sitting in the back seat. In fact the Prius
felt entirely roomier than the Escape.
Each auto allows the seats to be folded down, though the
Prius does it quicker and easier, and when looking
through the Prius hatchback, it appears you could
transport almost anything in the back of a Prius that an
Escape could.
If you have to have a hybrid SUV, then the Escape
is the only choice.
In the end, it all comes down to price - You simply
can't beat the Prius. While both cars are surcharging
dealer add-ons, to the tune of $3000.00 for the Prius
and $5000.00 for the Escape, the Prius seems a bit more
worth the money.
An entry level Prius is only $19,000 and even with the
$3000.00 dealer add-on, $22,000 is still an awesome
price. The fully loaded Prius is pure delight, and even
with the extra $3000.00 for the dealer, the car is still
only about $32,000.
The loaded Escape hybrid, the only model available, was just
under $36,000 and seemed to offer so much less. Don't
get me wrong, the hybrid Escape is a much better Escape
than the conventional Escape. I'm just not much of an
SUV person.
If production can catch up to demand, and the $3000.00
dealer add-on removed, then a Prius is not a deal, but a
steal.
It is worth noting that the comparison between the
Escape hybrid and the Prius hybrid isn't completely
fair. One is a car, the other is a SUV. Again, if you
must have a hybrid SUV, I highly recommend the Escape
hybrid.
Hybrid SUV choices are soon to emerge. In
mid-April, Toyota will be releasing the Lexus
RX400h hybrid SUV and the Highlander
SUV hybrid will follow this June. Those vehicles should provide a more
fair comparison to the Escape hybrid.
In conclusion, while both the Toyota Prius and the Ford
Escape hybrid are excellent vehicles, the Prius simply
offers more for the money - much more.
Join the hybrid
revolution!
>>
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