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2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Related Links Get Pricing Get E-mail Updates Consumer Ratings Vehicle Reviews Send a Letter Talk About It
2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. Hybrids use two motors to give the car it's power. 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. The hybrid version of the Escape doesn't look radically different from the conventional, gasoline-only version either outside or inside. Related Links Get Pricing Get E-mail Updates Consumer Ratings Vehicle Reviews Send a Letter Talk About It 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. Inside, the hybrid Escape benefits from the interior upgrades that were given to all 2005 Escape models, making the interior quieter and more luxurious than the previous generation. 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. A gauge on the instrument panel is devoted to the status of the 250-cell battery pack, while the tachometer has a "green zone" below zero rpm, indicating when the vehicle is in electric-only mode. Related Links Get Pricing Get E-mail Updates Consumer Ratings Vehicle Reviews Send a Letter Talk About It 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. The electric motor is recharged during driving both from the fuel burning in the internal combustion engine as well as through the energy dissipated during braking. 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid is expected to arrive at dealer showrooms in August and will be available in both front-wheel and four-wheel drive models. Related Links Get Pricing Get E-mail Updates Consumer Ratings Vehicle Reviews Send a Letter Talk About It	Mention Los Angeles to most people and images of sprawling asphalt jungle will spring instantly to mind, but the city known for its traffic and pollution has a giant respite within it---the Santa Monica Mountains, a 46-mile long mountain range that, quite literally, bisects the city of Los Angeles. Within this set of mountains is the well-known Hollywood Hills (home of the Hollywood sign) as well as the famous Mulholland Drive. While the glitzy homes with stunning views are what are best known about this region, there is a quiet side to the mountains, over 150,000 acres of unspoiled land that is designated a National Recreation Area. I escaped to the Santa Monica Mountains in a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, traversing up, down and along the ridge of these hills. It was a circuitous route that gradually took me west to Malibu and a dirt road for a little trail riding. After living in the Los Angeles area for over a decade, I've done a fair share of off-road driving in the region and had come to expect each ride to offer a stunning view of the world below. This trail ride, however, was unlike any other---it was silent. You see, the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid is a full hybrid---meaning it can run solely with its gasoline engine, only with its electric motor or a combination of both without ever needing to be plugged in. In my case, the electric motor was the sole power source as I slowly navigated the ruts, rocks, hills and brush on the trail. Due to our slow speed, the Escape's gasoline engine never kicked in, and as a result, we moved along almost silently; the only sound made was the crunching of small rocks being displaced under our tires. Long Time Coming If it seems like Ford has been talking about the hybrid version of its Escape for a long time, it's because it has. The company introduced the concept vehicle, called the Escape HEV, at the 2001 Los Angeles International Auto Show, stating that it would be on sale in 2003. At the unveiling, Jim O'Connor, then president of the Ford Division, said, "Escape HEV will be a 'no-compromise' family-sized hybrid electric vehicle that achieves superior fuel economy and low emissions without sacrificing performance, roominess or affordability." Turns out that "no compromises" was a bigger challenge than Ford realized, hence the extra time to bring the vehicle to market. To be sure, it's not the first time an automaker delayed a product launch, and it certainly won't be the last. Hopefully, the delay means that Ford has had plenty of time for fine-tuning and working out any of the bugs associated with the launch of a new vehicle. From this first drive, it seems that the Escape Hybrid is off to a strong start. The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid is expected to arrive at dealer showrooms in August and will be available in both front-wheel and four-wheel drive models. The Look of Green The hybrid version of the Escape doesn't look radically different from the conventional, gasoline-only version either outside or inside. On the exterior, the Escape Hybrid has unique badging designating its greenness with the word "hybrid" marked by a leaf-and-road logo that Ford uses to denote environmentally friendly vehicles. Other subtle changes from the conventional Escape include unique wheels (16-inc, five-spoke alloy wheels with exposed lug nuts) and a modified driver's-side rear window to allow for venting of the area where the batteries are stored. Inside, the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid benefits from the interior upgrades that were given to all 2005 Escape models, making the interior quieter and more luxurious than the previous generation. Both the instrument panel and the center stack are revised versions of the conventional Escape. A gauge on the instrument panel is devoted to the status of the 250-cell battery pack, while the tachometer has a "green zone" below zero rpm, indicating when the vehicle is in electric-only mode. In the center stack, an optional display screen shows the real-time energy flow of the hybrid system, as well as has navigation functions and audio controls. Another handy feature you won't find on the conventional Escape is the 110-volt outlet located in the center console. Now it's easy to plug in a laptop computer or any other device with a conventional plug. How A Hybrid Works Hybrids use two motors to give the car power. In addition to the traditional combustion engine, a hybrid vehicle also has an electric motor. The electric motor is recharged during driving both from the fuel burning in the internal combustion engine as well as through the energy dissipated during braking. As a result, hybrid vehicles never need to be plugged in. There are actually four possible ways for a hybrid vehicle to get its power, depending on how the hybrid system is set up. Both the gasoline engine or the electric motor may be able to drive the vehicle on its own, or they may work in tandem to power the vehicle or the gasoline engine may be used to drive the electric motor, which in turn powers the vehicle. Regardless of the way the system is set up, the result in each case is that the electric motor provides some of the power necessary to move the vehicle, which therefore allows a smaller combustion engine to be used, giving the vehicle better gas mileage and making it pollute less. With the Ford Escape Hybrid, the electric engine is used to initially launch the vehicle from a stop and the gasoline engine only kicks in when further power is needed. As a result, you can actually drive the Escape Hybrid at low speeds without using the gasoline engine. On The Road Driving the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid was very similar to driving a conventional Escape. The process of getting in the car, turning the key and starting the engine was virtually identical. The combination of the gasoline engine and electric motor in tandem was nearly seamless, providing acceleration capability that was quite peppy. Ford says performance in the Escape Hybrid is comparable to the conventional Escape with the V-6 engine. According to Ford's specifications, the hybrid version weighs 325 pounds more than the conventional model and the combined power of the gasoline engine and electric motor is rated at 155 horsepower, versus a 200 horsepower rating on the conventional Escape equipped with the V-6 engine. Overall, I felt the Escape Hybrid was a solid performer in most driving situations. On the largest, steepest hills I traversed, there was considerable engine whine from the 133 horsepower, four-cylinder gasoline engine, which reminded me that it really does take quite a bit of effort to move a 3,792-pound SUV. From a handling perspective, the Escape Hybrid was surefooted and nimble---no different than its conventional sibling. Fuel Economy Automakers will tell you that people buy hybrids primarily for the improvement in fuel economy, with the benefits to the environment being secondary for most. Ford is betting that its offering, the first hybrid SUV on the market, will attract a large contingent who are not willing to give up their sport utes for passenger cars. That said, it has used every technique possible to make the Escape Hybrid as efficient as possible, citing a 50 percent improvement in the city/highway fuel economy numbers over the conventional Escape. During my drive, which included aggressive driving on about 100-miles of city streets, highway and winding mountain roads, the on-board computer reported my fuel economy at 30.4 miles per gallon. The conventional, V-6 Escape is rated at 18/23 miles per gallon, city/highway. The official fuel economy ratings from the EPA have not yet been released for the Escape Hybrid. Subtle Differences Ford continues to maintain that its 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid is a vehicle with "no compromises." It is most definitely a fine execution of a hybrid SUV, but there are definitely some subtle differences between the hybrid and conventional vehicles that some consumers may view as compromises. In addition to the previously mentioned engine whine from the four-cylinder engine working overtime up steep hills, there is six percent less cargo space behind the rear seat, thanks to the battery pack's location under the rear floor. Instead of a four-speed automatic transmission, the Escape Hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which contributes to the engine's revving a high speeds (and therefore whining) as well as makes downshifting to slow the vehicle down with engine braking difficult. Towing is different too--- a 1,000-pound maximum rating on the Escape Hybrid versus a 3,500-pound maximum capacity on the conventional V-6 model. Finally, the start/stop function, which automatically and temporarily shuts down the engine as you coast to a stop, is better than in other hybrids, but it is still obvious when the gasoline engine starts up again. There is a distinct shudder as the gasoline engine kicks in, a feature that is noticeably different than in a gasoline-only vehicle, but one that the driver would likely adjust to after some time behind the wheel. To some, the idea of a hybrid SUV will seem like something of an oxymoron, but making the most popular passenger vehicle segment (and the least environmentally friendly) better on emissions and fuel economy makes good sense from an economic, marketing and environmental perspective. And if it means traversing a dirt and gravel hill silently and emissions free, well, I'd call that a new definition of "Tread Lightly." Sounds like a pretty appealing escape to me. Frequently Asked Questions What kind of gas mileage can you expect from the Ford Escape Hybrid? Ford has used every technique possible to make the Escape Hybrid as efficient as possible, citing a 50 percent improvement in the city/highway fuel economy numbers over the conventional Escape. During my drive, the on-board computer reported my fuel economy at 30.4 miles per gallon. The conventional, V-6 Escape is rated at 18/23 miles per gallon, city/highway. The official fuel economy ratings from the EPA have not yet been released for the Escape Hybrid. What makes this hybrid special? It's the first SUV with a hybrid power train. And it's what Ford calls a "no compromise" hybrid, meaning that the vehicle can run solely on gas, electric or with a combination. What's the tow rating like, compared to the regular Escape? There's a 1,000-pound maximum rating on the Escape Hybrid versus a 3,500-pound maximum capacity on the conventional V-6 model. What else is different, compared to the regular Escape? Not much. Exterior is the same, except for badging and a few other minor changes. The interior stays largely the same as well, with some changes in the instrument panel (for the hybrid). The Escape Hybrid has a Continuously Variable Transmission, as opposed to the standard four-speed of the regular transmission, and that makes the driving experience a little different. What's the best thing about the Ford Escape Hybrid? It's a Hybrid, and an SUV -- meaning that people who require utility no longer have to suffer with low gas mileage. Plus it's great for the environment, and the driving experience seems (after a 100 mile test) to be pretty close to the regular Escape we're all used to driving. 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Reviewer's Notes Curb Appeal: The same Escape inside and out that you've known for a while, with a few subtle variations. Asphalt Rating: A 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine plus a 70-kilowatt electric motor give the Escape Hybrid the equivalent of 155 horsepower and make it feel a lot like driving a V-6. Drivetrain: A continuously variable transmission is mated to either a front-wheel or four-wheel drive system. Handling: Surefooted and nimble, just like its gasoline-powered sibling. Fuel Economy: EPA ratings are not in yet, but Ford is expecting 35 city/29 highway. In our 100-mile test of aggressive driving on city streets, highway and winding mountain roads, we got an average of 30.4 miles per gallon. Real World: Great on gas, friendly to the environment, in a package that is popular with the masses. ---Story by Tara Baukus Mello ---Photos courtesy of Ford © 2004, Tara Baukus Mello, All Rights Reserved.