Ford Escape Hybrid - anyone drive/own one?

[BigAirSkier1580]

My girlfriend is looking at getting a new vehicle in the next few years. She wants something with decent gas mileage, better than her current '98 Jeep Cherokee.

Here's the catch...

She cannot drive cars. She grew up around SUVs and pickup trucks, and learned to drive in SUVs. She has driven cars, but HATES it. She has no problem being a passanger in a car, but she cannot stand driving them.

That is where the Ford Escape Hybrid catches the eye. It has around a 30mpg rating, while being around the same size as the Jeep Cherokee

Now the unknowns... It has low rated power output. Is it noticable in driving?

Also, it's a Ford, which scares me as Ford has quite a nasty reputation as far as reliabaility/quality goes.

Anyone have some extended firsthand experience with one, or know of any other options that we could look at?

[mnflyfish]

If she's intent on a hybrid, tell her to save up and get the Highlander Hybrid. Skip the Ford and go right to Toyota.

Jay

[Tye 1on]

....what the gopher said ^^^^^^^....
or
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=82015

[BigAirSkier1580]

Well, the 'yota is a MUCH nicer option, but it would be more than a full years salary for her, (she will be an elementary school teacher when it comes time to purchase). So the Highlander Hybrid just isn't practical financially.

Also, it's not so much being intent on a Hybrid, it's just the great gas mileage that can be had by a hybrid.

[sftc]

If she's intent on a hybrid, tell her to save up and get the Highlander Hybrid. Skip the Ford and go right to Toyota.

Jay

Ford was having so many problems with the hybrid technology that they agreed to a patent exchange with Toyota- Toyota gave them permission to use parts of Toyota's hybrid system in exchange for some diesel technology from Ford. This is probably old news, but Toyota is years ahead of Ford in this area, plus the average Toyota is way better then any Ford. But if you are happy with the performance and overall quality of a recent Jeep then you probably won't mind having a Ford.

[uglymoney]

The Fords system is based on the Prius system, so I don't think that would be a problem and the Escape platform is a Mazda design. I haven't seen CU reliability ratings but I wouldn't worry too much about it being a Ford.

The problem with the Ford is the hybrids tow rating is only 1000 lbs. This makes the vehicle about as useful as a small wagon which would get better mileage than the escape even if its a straight gasser. The Highlander is rated to tow 3500 lb in hybrid form making it much, much more useful.

No brainer. Skip the Ford for the Toyota.

[lemon boy]

Manual 4cy Escape (4wd) = 22/27mpg
Hybrid 4cy Escape (4wd) = 32/29mpg

Just get a regular escape.

[smmokan]

Escapes are great in the snow too- even moreso if you get the 4WD option.

[Obstruction]

Manual 4cy Escape (4wd) = 22/27mpg
Hybrid 4cy Escape (4wd) = 32/29mpg

Just get a regular escape.

What he said. She would have to do a hell of a lot of in town driving to get a payback (environmental or financial).

[Conundrum]

I have a Taco so I'm a Toyota fan. I do a lot of driving for work so I bought a Prius for that. The city mpg rating is inflated pretty bad so that number above isn't even going to be that much different. So, if you are buying one to lower emissions, get the hybrid. If you are buying it for mpg and it sounds like you are, get the regular and save some cash. Used escapes are cheap right now.

[Van_skier]

Jeep Patriot ?

I would have never expected a Jeep to have good mileage, but it is on the list for the new Rebate that the Canadian govt is giving for vehicles that have mileage below a certain cut-off : 6.5 L/100km (36 mpg) or better for new cars and 8.3 L/100km (28 mpg) or better for SUVs and trucks (based on 55% city & 45% highway driving)

*Jeep Patriot: 8.2 L/100km (29.6 mpg) with 2.4 L, 4 cylinder 5-Speed Manual (+ cheap: starts at 15,000$US)
*Ford Escape Hybrid: 6.6L/100km (35.6 mpg) with 2.3 L, 4 cylinder Continuously Variable Transmission
*Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 7.9 L/100km (30 mpg) with 3.3 L, 6 cylinder, Continuously Variable Transmission

full list of cars with good mileage:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environ...rt/ecoauto.htm

[uglymoney]

^^^^referencing lemon boy^^^^^^The 2.3 liter escape with an automatic or 5 speed is rated to tow 1500 lbs vs 1000, available cheap used, seems like a good option.

[The AD]

Look at the Toyota RAV4. I just bought one and it's great. The V6 version can tow 3,500 lbs if that's an issue.

[BigAirSkier1580]

Actually, my friend just made a good suggestion yet, and I completely forgot about it until he mentioned it.

A used Jeep Liberty CRD.

Can't beat 295 ft-lbs torque, while still seeing somewhat alright mileage for it's output. 21/26 - city/highway. Plus diesels are much more cost effective compared to petrol motors are overall.

I have NO interest in the Patriot as it is the same chassis as a Dodge Caliber, which my father has as his company car, and it is a life-less piece of crap.

[irul&ublo]

This thread is useless w/o naked pics of BigAir's girlfriend.

[Kassuba]

Might want to look at a diesel Grand Cherokee avalible Jan. 2008

[Beaver]

Plus diesels are much more cost effective compared to petrol motors are overall.

As a diesel owner I'd have to call bull shit on the above statement. Diesel fuel is sometimes but not always cheaper. Oil changes are way more expensive, if you ever need engine work prepare to clean out your account. A diesel engine may last longer but unless you plan on owning your auto for 25 or more years it will not make any difference to you. Any gasser should last 10-15 years easily. Diesels are great for hauling/towing but for day to day driving and short trips you may as well save your cash and get a gasser.

Are you any relation to hugeairdog?

[TahoePowShredder]

talked to a guy at alpine driving one of em. said that it's a great car except for the fact that for some reason the gas motor doesn't engage in reverse for some reason. this sucks if you need to back up a steep drive way and the electric motor doesn't have the power to push it. other that, the car is pretty good according to him. but, i agree, fuck domestic go with the yota.

[Adolf Allerbush]

Saturn Vue - 27/32 mpg - tow rating 1500 lbs

I test drove one....not exactly a muscle car but pretty decent power...personally I liked it better than the Ford Escape.

[BigAirSkier1580]

As a diesel owner I'd have to call bull shit on the above statement. Diesel fuel is sometimes but not always cheaper. Oil changes are way more expensive, if you ever need engine work prepare to clean out your account. A diesel engine may last longer but unless you plan on owning your auto for 25 or more years it will not make any difference to you. Any gasser should last 10-15 years easily. Diesels are great for hauling/towing but for day to day driving and short trips you may as well save your cash and get a gasser.

Are you any relation to hugeairdog?

No relation to hugeairdog...

And I am from a family that owns a Jetta TDi, and have a good friend that has a Beetle TDi.

Yes, oil changes are more expensive, however, oil change intervals are greatly lengthened due to the much lower engine operating temperatures, thus negating the additional cost.

A good diesel motor will easily go to 200-350k without a hitch, due to lower RPMs and low operating temperatures. This greatly increases resale value on higher mileage vehicles as with a petrol motor you need to be wary about a motor with 100k+ on it. Locally, diesel fuel is the same cost as gasoline is, plus the ability to run biodiesel if you so desire. And as far as maintanence, I have found diesel motors to be easier to maintain overall due to the elimination of the spark-based ignition system, which is a common source of malfunction on autos.

I have driven diesel cars many times, and have been very impressed with all models I have driven. They all had superb drivability due to the gobs of torque available, and motorwise, my parents 2003 Jetta TDi is going on 90k without a second glance at anything engine related.

[Beaver]

The problem with the Ford is the hybrids tow rating is only 1000 lbs.

What a joke. My yota mini van is rated to tow 3500lb.

[wi3dzmin]

Ford = POS.

Ford recalls 527,000 Escape SUVs.

Ford is recalling 527,000 Escape sport-utility vehicles because of a problem in the antilock braking system that could cause fires, the company said Tuesday.

Link.

Thought it might help the decision.

[Tye 1on]

Yes, oil changes are more expensive, however, oil change intervals are greatly lengthened due to the much lower engine operating temperatures, thus negating the additional cost.

A good diesel motor will easily go to 200-350k without a hitch, due to lower RPMs and low operating temperatures. This greatly increases resale value on higher mileage vehicles as with a petrol motor you need to be wary about a motor with 100k+ on it. Locally, diesel fuel is the same cost as gasoline is, plus the ability to run biodiesel if you so desire. And as far as maintanence, I have found diesel motors to be easier to maintain overall due to the elimination of the spark-based ignition system, which is a common source of malfunction on autos.

Hmmmm.
Oil change interval different? Thinking all intervals have been lengthened the last 5 years or so, mostly by using synoil. I'd be curious what Str8line's manual recommends for his wife's new MB diesel. Might just be me, but i'm a big fan of 3000 mile oil changes with dino-oil, cheapest way to try and extend life. Don't forget you've got like twice the compression, and rings and valves don't care for crap in the oil...
Totally agree on how much easier the maint, and particularly troubleshooting is, without having plugs/wires/ecm and all the other electrocrap in the way. 3/4 of the time, if you have an issue it's something to do with the fuel system, at least that was my experience...

[BigAirSkier1580]

Lol, those are the EXACT type of reasons I like to avoid Ford...

But at the same time...

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recal...yota_suvs.html

......

[BigAirSkier1580]

The oil change interval is extended due to breakdown of oil is caused by high temperatures. THe overall engine temperatures and that of the oil are MUCH lower than a conventional gasoline motor.

http://www.synthetic-motor-oil-chang...oil-change.php

Technically, a diesel with a good synthetic, and regular filter replacement wouldn't need an oil change.