Feb 05 2010
2010 Ford Escape Hybrid Review by Jeff Weidel
2010 Ford Escape Hybrid
Power: 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder, 177 combined horsepower
Mileage estimate: 31-34 mpg
Price: $32,260
Standard features include: integrated blind-spot mirrors; antilock brakes; stability control; auto-dimming rearview mirror; a power driver seat; dual-zone automatic climate control; four-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio, Sync system (includes iPod interface and Bluetooth); leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
By Jeffrey Weidel
In the business of manufacturing cars for over a century, Ford Motor Company built part of its longstanding reputation on its rugged trucks, developing the F-series long ago and making a bundle of money from its sales.
But when the company peers into its crystal ball to predict the future, the road ahead might be paved with hybrids.
Ford has made a definite commitment to producing hybrid vehicles, which now are capable of running up to 35 mph on their electric motors, a 10 mph increase from previous generations that switched to gasoline mode at 25 mph.
Five years ago, Ford vowed to produce 250,000 hybrids a year by 2010. But a little over one year later the Detroit auto manufacturer rescinded on that claim due to excessive costs and some other contributing factors. Yet that doesn’t mean Ford has backed off the whole hybrid movement.
For 2010, Ford has given both the Fusion and the Mercury Milan midsize sedans hybrid alternatives. The pair joins the Escape and Mercury Mariner, two compact sport utility vehicles that both have hybrid models.
Ford introduced the hybrid Escape in 2005, becoming the third company to unveil a hybrid model and the first to do so in an SUV. Five years later, the Toyota Highlander hybrid is its only real competition among SUVs.
Even though Ford has yet to move forward with a much-needed major redesign (an integrated blind-spot mirrors is the only standard addition for 2010), the Escape hybrid remains a quality vehicle. It gets between 31-34 mpg, which in the case of the Escape driven here for a week, means a fill-up doesn’t arrive until about the 400-mile range per tank of gas.
Equipped with a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine with a combined 177 horsepower, the hybrid Escape was not the most exhilarating ride. Passing power is very average and the engine noise gets rather loud when acceleration is needed in a hurry. An additional 300 pounds for the hybrid drivetrain apparently contributes to the lack of power.
An alternative is purchasing an Escape that isn’t a hybrid. The savings will be around $6,000 off the $32,260 sticker price for the hybrid Escape, which is available in all-wheel drive.
All Escapes provide a simplified cabin that is easy to master and feature soft-touch material that adds to the overall comfort. The cabin offers solid room for all five passengers and the cargo area is fairly spacious for a compact SUV. Small storage bins and cubbies make the Escape very user-friendly as well.
Weidel on Wheels is a regular weekly feature in Gold Country Motoring.
