Miles of versatility in Escape Hybrid
Redesigned for 2008, Ford takes 'green' another step
Shoppers will experience a version of sticker shock when they look at the 2008 models on dealers' lots. But the surprises won't come from the prices as much as they will from the Environmental Protection Agency's revamped fuel economy information.
New EPA testing methods - incorporating factors such as rapid acceleration, air conditioning use, higher highway speeds, and cold-weather driving - are knocking city/highway figures down across the board. And with so many variables now taken into account, economy-conscious drivers will likely set out to beat their new vehicles' rated fuel economy numbers.
Today's test vehicle, the 2008
Most people - including me - have generally lumped all hybrids into the "improved fuel economy" category. The pioneering
Looking at the Escape against that backdrop, it's a capable and versatile vehicle for a small family or business. And in case you're worried about durability, Ford offers an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on all hybrid- related components. That dampens a lot of the concern about driving a car with regenerative braking, electric motors, and an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission.
Our test model had a sticker price of $29,825 that included $4,085 of options such as navigation/audio ($2,695) and the hybrid premium package ($1,195) that adds leather, heated mirrors and seats, 110-volt electrical outlet, and a roof rack and cargo cover.
Ford did a major redesign of the Escape for 2008. Outside, the styling cues are a more rugged look that highlights its relationship to the midsized Explorer SUV.
Inside, Ford simplified the look, making the center stack of controls both attractive and user-friendly. Even the navigation/audio system is pretty simple once you give it an exploratory touch or two. The only downside of the interior was the expanse of pebble-grained vinyl on the panel and dashboard.
On the road, the Escape cruised and accelerated with ease. The electronic power steering seemed a perfect fit for the vehicle. Hybrid braking - in which energy is regenerated into electricity - always feels a bit different, and that is especially so in the Escape because of its firm pedal, a feature I appreciated.
Side and head airbags are standard; however, stability control isn't part of the basic package.
Over the years, I've tended to leave rear seats folded down for a day of errand-running or cargo carrying. The maneuver takes some doing in the Escape. You have to move the seat bottom first, remove the headrests and stash them under the seats, then snap the outside seat belts out of the way. Once that's accomplished, 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space is expanded to 65 cubic feet-plus, easily accessible from rear doors or the lift gate, which has a window that can be opened separately.
At night, the green instrumentation lights have given way to what Ford calls "ice blue." Now it's the car that's "green." On the base model that extends to the seat fabric, which is woven from 100 percent recycled materials.
Outside, the Escape is identified by its road and (green) leaf badges. But with football season upon us, a better way to call attention to the vehicle would be to tailgate at a game and use that optional 110-volt power outlet to fire up an HDTV.
And remember, the Escape gets its best mileage in the stop-and-go traffic before and after the game. 