Ford's Escape Hybrid, now in its second year on the market, continues to prove that there's a demand for SUVs, especially if it can deliver better than 30 mpg fuel economy.
When you consider everything an SUV offers, these vehicles are great for families and active lifestyles. They also provide a commanding view of the road, and AWD/4WD models provide excellent foul-weather traction. However, fuel economy has been the SUVs biggest downfall.
The forward-thinkers at Ford were prepared for rising fuel costs when they launched their Escape Hybrid last year.
The Escape Hybrid is a full" hybrid, meaning it automatically switches between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power or a combined operation to maximize efficiency and performance.
Full hybrids can achieve 50 percent or more improvement in fuel economy during stop-and-go driving, when the electric motor is most efficient.
According to Ford, the 2006 Escape Hybrid provides more than 75 percent fuel economy improvement in city driving, compared with a conventional V6-powered Escape.
In raw numbers the Escape Hybrid is rated at 36 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for its FWD model. AWD models are rated at 33 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
During my week-long test of a Escape Hybrid FWD model, I averaged just over 30 mpg. That included a mixture of highway and city driving. I probably could have done better if I had drove it with a little less force on the throttle.
Unlike conventional gasoline-powered vehicles that get better fuel economy on the highway, Hybrids like the Escape Hybrid can operate in full electric mode during low-speed driving. The fuel savings is further realized as the gasoline engine can automatically turn off while sitting in rush hour traffic.
It's an unusual feeling to be sitting at a traffic light with no sound or quiver coming from the engine bay. When extra power is needed, the gasoline engine automatically fires up. Only the slightest lag in acceleration is felt.
Those willing to adjust to the minor quirkiness will reap the rewards by making fewer visits to the gas pump. And that's a big deal, today and into the future.
Powering the Escape Hybrid is a unique 2.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 70-kilowatt electric motor. The electric motor extracts power from a 330-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack located beneath the rear load floor.
There's no need to recharge the battery pack in the Escape Hybrid as energy is restored while you drive. For instance, the electric motor becomes a generator during braking. This not only helps keep the battery pack charged, but it helps slow the vehicle down while reducing brake friction material wear.
In case you're wondering, hybrid-specific components, including the battery pack, are covered by a warranty of at least eight years or 100,000 miles.
The Escape Hybrid utilizes a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). CVTs are becoming more popular because they allow the engine to stay at an rpm range where it is most efficient.
With a CVT, it takes a little getting used to not feeling shifts as you accelerate up to speed. By the way, the Escape Hybrid has very good acceleration when needed. The combination of the 4-cylinder gas engine and the electric motor give the Escape Hybrid V6-like power.
The Escape Hybrid looks like the traditional Escape; however, it features Ford's road-and-leaf "HYBRID" insignia. Other Escape Hybrid unique features include standard 16-inch wheels and a discreet air vent in the driver's side rear quarter window.
On the interior, Escape Hybrid features a flow-through console and unique gauges, including a "green zone" gauge that shows when the vehicle is operating in its most economical mode.
My Escape Hybrid tester included the optional ($1,995) Hybrid Energy Audiophile and Navigation System. The stereo, fuel economy monitor and battery monitor screens were to my liking. We enjoyed glancing at the fuel economy gauge to see how well we were doing in a variety of situations.
Ford's Escape Hybrid provides all the same conveniences (except serious towing) of a typical SUV, but with much improved fuel economy.
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD
Engine 2.3-liter (155 hp combined) I4 and 70-kilowatt electric motor
Transmission CVT
Drive Type FWD
Fuel Economy 36 city/31 highway
Base Price $26,900
As Tested $31,080 (including $615 for destination)
Website http://www.ford.com |
