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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.	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.