Ford Escape Hybrid Owner Testimonials
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I love the hybrid escape. It has more power than my old Bronco II V6 in getting up the hills in the Santa Monica Mountains and the 4 wheel drive version goes up my dirt (slippery clay) driveway better than the 4 wheel drive Bronco II. You never notice a slip. For gas milage I'm getting around 25-26 (4WD version) on the hills and on flat areas such as PCH or the Valley I get around 27 to my maximum of 29.5. I've had it up to 80mph without a problem. Not bad for a truck/car that size and all wheel drive. Not Prius milage, but it's not a Prius (which two people in my family have, and I like, but you can't drive it on dirt driveways and run over landslide rocks on the road). All in all, I am getting about double the mileage of my old Bronco II and have the same versitality as I did with that truck. It's nice to sit in traffic and know you're engine is not on. My only complaint is that the gas tank is a little small and until the car learns your fuel consumption it can give you a low fuel warning with 4 gallons left (still a quater tank.) Howver, as the car's computers are getting to know my average driving mileage, it seems not to happen as often.
I own a 2WD Ford Escape Hybrid.
Hilly / Mountainous terrain actually benifits your mileage.
In flat, city driving I manage about 34 MPG.
Over the highway, at 65mph, I also manage 34 MPG.
When I'm driving in the hills, with coasting and slower speeds, I get close to 40 MPG!!!
Over the first 2,000 miles, I averaged 34 MPG under a mix of all conditions,
The only downside is, this vehicle uses a lot more gas when in cold weather, like under 50 degrees... Even if you can drive slow on battery, the computer wants to keep the engine hot, so it's ready to go when needed. Hard to keep the engine hot on cold days, so the engine runs more.
I first learned of the Escape Hybrid development in 2003. I registered at the Ford website to receive updates on the progress of it. Last Fall I was emailed that Ford had an opportunity to test drive the Hybrid. I immediately registered. In February , 2005 I called my Ford dealer and had them order me one. March 28, 2005, I took delivery. I am very satisfied and with fuel prices on a constant rise, I look like a genius for getting it.
I traded in my 2001 Escape with 56000 miles. Since both were equipt as 4 wheel drive, a comparison is basically a fair comparison. Ford says the Hybrid performs like a six. That is a fair assessment. When I need to go, it will go. My fuel consuption on the 2001 was about 20 mpg. On trips 21-21.5 generally in the 70+ mph. Mostly the + side of things. In the winter, the numbers would move to the 18+ mpg range. Getting the new Hybrid meant changing driving habits. The jackrabbit starts are fewer now. An egg between the foot and peddle are the norm. Since I ordered the optional navigation package, I have the computer to constantly compute my economy numbers. Would you believe that I have been able to drive a 4 wheel drive suv getting over 34 mpg in the city cruising in traffic? Of course getting 25.5 mpg on the highway is hard to immagine. But that was at a speed between 75 and 80 mph. After I dropped to the 65+ mph range in cruise control, things got better at the 29 mpg range. I generally figure about 30 mpg. That shows about a 50% gain in fuel improvement. I went into this figuring a payback in about 6 years. That was with $2.00 gas. With gas currently around $2.25 and some projecting $3.00 gas in the next year -- well, you do the math. I'm guessing 4 years or less is possible. I ordered the Titanium Green with the Silver lower body cladding. I am constantly getting compliments on the color. Lest someone think I am totally happy, I still wish I could have gotten the white outlined letter tires. They were not available to order. Ford Motor did an outstanding job in developing this car. The technology is done right and probably right on time. Had they introduced it in 2001, it would not have sold and would probably have been dropped. Great going Ford Motor. You did Good!!
I just got a 2006 4WD Ford Escape Hybrid and my gas mileage is hovering in the low 20's. I'm very sad and I think it's very misleading for Ford to advertise 33mpg. I hope it gets better but i've read some testimonials on other sites with owners complaining of low gas mileage. I wish I had checked into it more before I bought but I needed a car and I wanted one that could get me to Tahoe and be a little friendlier to the environment and I didn't want to pay 60K for the lexus.
I bought a 2006 2WD Escape Hybrid last week, and have been driving it the same way I drove my Dodge Dakota PU. The big difference is that where as with the Dodge I'd have already gassed up at least once, I'm still happily passing the gas station with just a wave. I'm getting about 30-31 MPG in a mix of city/highway driving. When using the AC, it drops down to about 29 or so. The Escape handles well, has more pep thatn I expected for a hybrid, and is an overall attractive, fun-to-drive vehicle, at least, in my humble opinion.
I bought my Escape Hybrid in June 2005 moving from a 2003 Expedition. The Escape rides and drives great. We're still trying to get use to the size difference which is no problem at the gas pumps. Filling up now only takes $25 rather than $50+. The pumps shut off at $50. Miles per Gallon have been a little low at 25 to 27mpg country driving 40 to 50 mph. No where close to the advertised mileage. It seems the gas engine kicks in too quickly. It does not allow the electric motor to work enough during the start of acceleration. As one owner said "An egg between the foot and peddle are the norm". It is very true if you want the electric motor to work. I am talking to the dealership about modifying the program and take some of the acceleration sensitivity out and allow electric motor to work more. All-in-all we are happy with the purchase and would recommend it to anyone.
I just purchased a 2006 escape hybrid. I really like it, but am concerned because I am only getting 23 mpg. I am hopefull that I will get better milage after it gets more miles on it.
Cris
I bought a Ford Escape Hybrid in April, 2005. It is completely tricked out and an AWD. After learning, rather relearning, how to drive I get 35 MPG with it. I have a 52 mile commute 5 days a week and the savings is noticeable. True, it isn't a 60 MPG vehicle BUT I'd defy you to find an SUV that gets 35 MPG. A neighbor has a gas variant and he reports that he gets at best 16 MPG.
I'd recommend this vehicle to anyone with an SUV need who wants to maybe save gas and not really have to suffer while doing it.
I am so pleased with my new 4WD 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. It's only two weeks old, 350 miles, and it already is teaching me how to drive this new machine.
My initial disappointment with 25 mpg gave way to more like 30-35 mpg, once I realized you have to watch the tachometer to keep the revs low. It also helps to watch the mpg performance screen for maximum economy. This driving habit "different" is becoming second nature now, so mpg is going up. I tested it up a very long hill at Laguna Beach and averaged about 25 mpg going up, very peppy too, but "maxed out" on the way down, way over 55 mpg! Of course gravity did all the work, as I put it into Low cruising down the hill, and watched the energy screen pump power naturally back into the battery. The engine effectively "shuts off" as you're cruising in a controlled-dive. When I got back on the flat, I still averaged between 35-40 mpg, but must be easy on the pedal. Passing is a cinch, since the pick-up is great, absolutely no hesitancy at all, but you sacrifice mpg to do so. Ford should offer a new "driving different" course to us new buyers, since there's the secret to high mpg, watch the screen. It becomes habit pretty quick, though.
Still haven't tried out the intelligent 4WD, since southern Cal is well paved, and car's still too clean to take it into the dirt. I also love the metallic black color. When the sun shines on it, you can see tiny gold flecks. So cool, nice job Ford, great technology and a feel good design all around. And kudos to Bill Ford for making a commitment to the Hybrid. Smart move, dude. :)
The GPS Navigation is a trip! I love it, well worth the extra bucks.
I purchased a 2005 Hybrid about a month ago, and I am EXTREMELY please with it so far. However, those weighing the choice of the Hybrid or a conventional SUV need to evaluate what exactly is important to them. Is it important to you, as an American consumer, to send the message to car manufactuers and our government that it's time to curb our fuel consumption? Do you fully realize that you will be the pioneer sending this message, and future Hybrid SUV's may well be more efficient and powerful than the one you bought today? However, if not for those of us who buy them now, and send that message to Ford, etc, those vehicles will never be made. Because for me, that was important enough. These social implications are more important to me than paying $3-4K more for a vehicle. The good thing is that it's really not that much of a negative trade-off. I have a beautiful vehicle, fully capable off-road, and awesomely utilitarian, that has been averaging 28 mpg (I drive 75% Hwy, 25% City). And it gets better every time I go to the pump, as I'm learning to drive it. Owning an Escape Hybrid doesn't only mean you are environmentally responsible, it offers a whole new philosophy on life itself. What need do we have to charge out of every stoplight? Accelerate down every hill? Why not take the time to slow down our lives, check out the scenary? Lightly accelerate, smiling as the MPG indicator shows "max". For those of us who like to think of ourselves as stewards of future life on this planet, it's no small feat to be enjoying the benefits of an SUV; all the while coasting on full electric consuming no fuel and creating no emissions. I've been a Ford owner all my life, and this solidifies my commitment. Congratulations to Ford on creating a great product at exactly the right time. Ride on...
I bought a 2005 escape hybrid in jan & drove from new england to florida. I love the performance. It is one of the smoothest vehicles i have ever driven. I bought a 2 wheel dr. model because i think the milage is better. Averaging 34/36. the sat nav system is great as is the stereo.
I bought a 2005 2WD Hybrid Escape in December, 2004. I have 13,000 miles now. So far, zero maintenance issues. Like other reviewers, I noticed at first my mileage was around 26 mpg, but now in the summer I get around 30 and in the winter around 27 mpg. I notice only slight differences between highway and city mileage.
I am a mechanical engineer, and I believe Ford did a great job on the hybrid parts of the vehicle. I wish I could drive 35 mph on the motor alone, that would allow a lot more residential and secondary roads in gas saving "golf cart mode". When I drive 25 mph to keep the gas engine from coming on, I am the "slow guy" on residential streets.
I wish Ford offered more options - I have all the ones they offered - leather, nav/premium sound, 6 air bags. I was looking for something as essential as traction control. I notice wheel spin when I pull out quickly onto the highway. Stability control would also be great, especially in an SUV like the Escape with a center of gravity higher than a passenger car. I see they are now offering a back up sensing system, which was not available when I bought. That would be good since there is limited rearward visibility when backing out of parking spots or driveways. Finally, I've been to the dealer looking for a Ford approved satellite radio or MP3 player that would not void my warrantee on the expensive combined nav/radio/CD in the dashboard. They do not offer one :-(
Overall, nice job on the mileage and engineering of the hybrid drive (the hard parts!), but need to offer more creature features.
I've just purchased a 2006 4WD Hybrid Escape, and I’m looking forward to fully reviewing and seeing if this type of vehicle is right for me. So far the first night was a kick; we where just sitting and talking to the sales person and the Escape just turned off! My wife flipped she thought there was something wrong with the truck. You should have seen here face. Then I explained to her that’s what a Hybrid does when is sits in traffic to save gas. But the cool part was being able to drive of the dealer’s lot without the engine running and just on battery, my son and I would then try to see how far we could drive with the Escape on battery only. It might have taken us a little longer to get home but it’s fun to play with for now.
For now with the driving that I do in the New England area I hope to see the high 20’s for gas mileage. I replaced a 1999 Dodge Dakota V6 Club Cub that was getting an average of 17 to 18 MPG. If I can double this then I’ll love the Escape.
Time will tell.
We just purchased a 2006 Escape 2WD hybrid 3 weeks ago. For the first 1000 miles we averaged 29.5 mpg. We live in Iowa so whe have no mountains and most of our driving is on gently rolling hills. We live in a small town so our driving is a mix of highway and local. So far, we are very happy with the Escape. I realize that the payback for better gas mileage will probably never happen, but we feel that the environmental impact of this vehicle is very important too, and that helps make up for the long time it will take to recoup the extra cost of the hybrid. One more hybrid on the road won't cure all the environmental problems, but it sure won't hurt.
Low gas mileage in my 2006 4WD Ford Hybrid. It's averaging 21 or less mpg in the city, down from an average of about 24 the first 5K miles I drove it. Very disappointed at the misleading mpg listed on the sticker. Took it in to the Ford service shop for its 6K mile checkup and they told me to give it to the 10K to resolve. Right...
On another note, my father bought a 2007 4WD Mercury Mariner Hybrid and he's getting 28-29 mpg on the highway through hilly and mountainous terrain about the same in the city. Since the our vehicles are essentially the same, wondering if the hybrid technology changed significantly between 06 & 07 or what.
The gas mileage for my Escape 2006 has been a little dissappointing. I've been doing 24mpg which isn't too bad considering its winter here in Canada and that the engine seems to have a computer that tries to keep it warm. In any case, I noticed that the longer I run the car, the more the electric engine kiks in. I'm looking forward to spring when the temperatures will be a lot higher and the engine will warm up and stay warm for a lot longer. Follow this blog.
I have a 2005 Escape Hybrid. It has taught me how to drive more efficiently. Right now I could probably drive any car on the road more efficiently than the owner. I "purposefully" take more than 15 seconds to get from 0-35 mph. I can often get past 30 mph before the combustion engine kicks on. I'm delighted, although the people behind me do not always share my enthusiasm. I was getting high 20's in the winter before the engine heated up. After 30 minutes, 32-34 was routine. Now that summer is nearly here, I am peaking at 36.2 again. I get the best mileage on hilly backroads. I don't think the speed control is a good idea unless you are on flat roads. It kills me when rpm's get near 2000. I'd rather crest the hill 20% below the speed limit. I credit 60% of the efficiency to the technology. The rest has to go to the driver.
