Click HERE to see a video on the Ford Escape Hybrid.
The first "Good" SUV
In the quest to reduce fuel consumption and pollution, manufacturers have come up with ideas that will reduce stress on our environment all the while maintaining sales. This last part is the trick. Money is what makes the world go around and I used to add, and drown. What I am trying to say is that even if the environment is a huge pressing issue, car manufacturers will not invest hundreds of millions of dollars into technologies that will not improve the bottom line.
Ford was very smart and decided that mixing SUV DNA with a hot-at-the-moment Hybrid powertrain, would allow them to get the best of both worlds and please as many potential buyers and tree-huggers (in the good sense) as possible, all in one instalment. They may have been successful in combining gas and electric motors; however the end result may not be as great as they had hoped.
The Ford Escape was first introduced in 2001. Since then, it has sold very well and it continues to do so today. It is once again the best selling compact SUV in Canada. It just made good sense to choose this well accepted and known truck as the guinea pig for this type of project. What Ford did was to take an engine that they already had, modified the internals, then added 2 electric motors (1 attached to the motor and the other attached to the drive wheels) and the fruit of that labour was the Escape Hybrid.
The Escape Hybrid's price range begins at $33,195 for a base FWD model to over $40,000 with options for an AWD model. The tester had a sticker price of $41,080.
Exterior styling
As stated above, the Escape Hybrid is very discreet.
The only giveaways are the Hybrid badges located on the front doors and the hatch. The Escape has always been handsome. Its recent facelift improved its general look with different headlights, bumpers and wheels. The Escape is the most rugged looking of the compact SUVs. It looks taller and brawnier with a bolder and flatter front fascia. Most others have smoother lines that are more car-like.
Interior styling
When a given vehicle enters the $40,000 price range, consumers tend to expect a certain level of quality and refinement of quarters in which they will spend much of their time. The Escape Hybrid could be partially excused because of its expensive state-of-the-art technology, though I feel Ford may have gone a little too far. To begin with, the flimsy leather appointed seats are not heated (blasphemy in Quebec winters), nor are the outside mirrors and there is no sunroof. The plastics are hard and cheap and little care was used in putting it all together.
Dash ergonomics are simple and straight forward. HVAC controls are easy to utilise although quite flimsy, the temperature level knob would not stay in the high position. The gauges are chrome rimmed and elegant, except, where the engine temperature used to be there is now the charge and assist indicator. It is nowhere near as easy to consult as the ones found in the Prius or Civic Hybrid. Here, Ford was too distracted to add an engine temperature gauge because there is none.
The first "Good" SUV
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Ford was very smart and decided that mixing SUV DNA with a hot-at-the-moment Hybrid powertrain, would allow them to get the best of both worlds and please as many potential buyers and tree-huggers (in the good sense) as possible, all in one instalment. They may have been successful in combining gas and electric motors; however the end result may not be as great as they had hoped.
The Ford Escape was first introduced in 2001. Since then, it has sold very well and it continues to do so today. It is once again the best selling compact SUV in Canada. It just made good sense to choose this well accepted and known truck as the guinea pig for this type of project. What Ford did was to take an engine that they already had, modified the internals, then added 2 electric motors (1 attached to the motor and the other attached to the drive wheels) and the fruit of that labour was the Escape Hybrid.
The Escape Hybrid's price range begins at $33,195 for a base FWD model to over $40,000 with options for an AWD model. The tester had a sticker price of $41,080.
Exterior styling
As stated above, the Escape Hybrid is very discreet.
The only giveaways are the Hybrid badges located on the front doors and the hatch. The Escape has always been handsome. Its recent facelift improved its general look with different headlights, bumpers and wheels. The Escape is the most rugged looking of the compact SUVs. It looks taller and brawnier with a bolder and flatter front fascia. Most others have smoother lines that are more car-like. Interior styling
When a given vehicle enters the $40,000 price range, consumers tend to expect a certain level of quality and refinement of quarters in which they will spend much of their time. The Escape Hybrid could be partially excused because of its expensive state-of-the-art technology, though I feel Ford may have gone a little too far. To begin with, the flimsy leather appointed seats are not heated (blasphemy in Quebec winters), nor are the outside mirrors and there is no sunroof. The plastics are hard and cheap and little care was used in putting it all together.
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