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High Noon: The Escape hybrid and the Highlander hybrid
Tuesday, April 12, 2005

As gas prices have risen higher, large SUV sales have dropped lower, yet Toyota Highlander sales are up - the Highlander has some momentum.

The Ford Escape hybrid stands as the only hybrid SUV, but in mere days, the Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV officially goes on sale. 

The RX400h is a luxury hybrid, the Escape hybrid is not. Enough said.

The real competition begins in June when the Toyota Highlander hybrid goes on sale.

One of the most obvious differences between these vehicles is going to be engine size. 

The Escape hybrid powertrain includes a 2.3 liter 4-cylinder engine, while the Highlander hybrid will offer a 3.3 liter 6-cylinder engine.

This is a very interesting difference in the realm of hybrid vehicles. While the hybrid Highlander will offer significantly better fuel-efficiency compared to a conventional Highlander, a V4 would have achieved even greater fuel efficiency.

Perhaps Toyota wanted to ensure that Honda wouldn't be the only auto maker to offer performance hybrid vehicles.

Since the Honda Accord hybrid outperforms the conventional Accord, Toyota had to ensure the same would happen in the Highlander Series.

This should give the Escape hybrid an edge in fuel efficiency. 

Overall, the Highlander is more of a crossover, and the Escape is more of mini-SUV. The Highlander hybrid will outperform the Escape hybrid much like any V6 will out perform a V4.

In pure fuel efficiency, the Escape wins. While it is a 4-cylinder, it's hybrid powertrain offers 6-cylinder performance. 

The Highlander hybrid is sure to impress. Whether it could have been more environmentally friendly is another matter.

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The Ford Escape Hybrid  The world's first hybrid SUV.
V6 power with V4 fuel efficiency, the Escape hybrid offers SUV functionality and environmental awareness.  (more) ( test drive)
The Honda Accord Hybrid  Simply the best Accord.
Faster than a conventional Accord, the hybrid Accord is the first V6 hybrid and is shows. (more) (test drive)
The Honda Civic Hybrid The first converted hybrid vehicle
Looks like a Civic, drives a Civic, but at 50 mpg it gets 40 percent better gas mileage than a regular Civic. (more)
The Lexus RX400h Hybrid The world's most luxurious hybrid SUV.
Due out April 15, this hot hybrid has already received 11,000 down-payments  (more)
The Toyota Prius Hybrid   The hybrid car leader at just $20,000?
Simply an unbelievable piece of automotive technology. The future is here. (more) (test drive)
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid The first Toyota hybrid SUV is set to explode.
The hype around this hybrid SUV is huge and growing. Get in line now, you might be there a while (more)

We the people, must be the difference. Join the revolution, buy a hybrid car