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Ford Escape Hybrid SUV Overpriced January 2005Hybrids are hot, and automakers are scrambling to add more of these dual power vehicles to their lineups.Toyota and Honda struck first and are dealing with waiting lists for some of their gas-electric hybrids, the Toyota Prius being most popular at the moment. Sales of all hybrids are expected to hit at least 200,000 units this model year as both Ford and GM get into the act. This week's test drive was an attractive red over silver Ford Escape Hybrid FWD, which means the small SUV has front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel-drive. AWD is available for an additional $2,000. One drawback to hybrids is their sticker price. They tend to start at about $3,000 to $4,000 more than a gasoline-only car or truck. The test Escape started at $26,780, compared with $23,260 for a V-6 powered two-wheel-drive Escape. Still, with gas around $2 a gallon some figures say the hybrid, purely on a monetary basis, will pay for itself in three to four years. Naturally, that depends on how many miles you drive and the gas mileage the non-hybrid version of your vehicle gets. But hybrids such as the Escape, which uses technology from Toyota, were designed not only to save gas, but cut pollution. That's especially important in urban areas, and that's where the electric motor portion really helps these vehicles. Emissions are cut to zero when the electric power kicks in. Hybrids tend to get better city gas mileage due to the help from the electric motor and because the engine shuts off when the car comes to a stop. Ford's Escape is rated 36 mpg city, considerably higher than the 20 mpg the gas-powered version gets in the city. Highway ratings from the EPA are 31 mpg, while the gas version gets 25 mpg highway. I managed a respectable 28.8 miles per gallon in 60% city driving in the hybrid. Note, too, that because the electric batteries used in hybrids are recharged by the gas engine and during the vehicle's braking, there's no need for charging them, as in an all-electric car. That said, the long-term key to hybrids' success will be their drivability. And they are constantly getting better. Like the Prius, the Escape runs fairly smoothly. Is it as peppy as a V-6 powered Escape (Ford's stated goal)? Well, not really, but it's still pretty quick. It runs up to highway speeds fairly well, but the problem, with this and other hybrids, remains a noticeable hesitation during initial acceleration. Press on the gas pedal and there's a brief lull. After a few days, you learn to anticipate that and let off the brake just before a traffic light changes to green. Then when you accelerate you'll feel the gas engine kick in. I suspect that within another year or two that lag will be engineered down - or away for good. Otherwise, this Escape drives like its gas-powered cousin and looks exactly the same, inside and out. Escape, a small sport-utility truck, delivers good handling with a fairly light feel so you can maneuver it easily and slip it into tight parking spots at the grocery. Still, it's an SUV, so there's a top-heavy feel to it when you go through turns at higher speeds. Ride is OK, but this has a fairly small wheelbase, so you feel some bumps, and it can get a bit jiggly on rough surfaces. Braking is good and shifting is seamless thanks to the hybrid's continuously variable transmission. Inside, the Escape is attractive, with silver-faced gauges and chrome-look surrounds. The test truck also had a gray and black leather interior, which adds $575 to the price. There are plenty of goodies, too, such as power mirrors, locks and windows, and cruise control on the steering wheel. Yet there are no automatic lights here, which seemed odd, but Escape does come with a rear window wiper, a must in our climate. This being a hybrid, there are some clever electronic gauges here, part of a pricey $1,850 option package that includes a navigation system, stereo upgrade and six-disc CD player. The cool gauges in this package show you when the energy is being returned to your batteries during braking and when just the gas engine is on. The radio is fine with six buttons and a volume knob, all easy to use and figure out. There are a few other buttons here for the navigation system and trip information, none too tough to figure out after a day or two of use. The three dials for the climate control system are simple, plus Ford adds two power outlets by the shift lever, in case you need to run some electric item such as a computer or cell phone. Seating is mildly contoured but comfortable, and this version had power seats, except for the seat back. My only problem here is fitting my hand between the seat and door. It's best to make any seat adjustments with the door open, prior to starting the car. That's a bit inconvenient. Plus, there's no lumbar adjustment. Head and leg room are fine front and rear for four passengers. With the rear seat folded down there's plenty of storage room. It takes two steps to fold the rear seat down. First flip the rear seat bottom forward, then fold the seat back down. Like most vehicles, especially small SUVs, Escape is a moderately priced vehicle at its outset. Even the hybrid at $26,780 isn't bad until you add a lot of options. This one did, totaling $31,115. That's way too much for a small SUV that doesn't have four-wheel drive. SOURCE: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | ||
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