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February 20, 2009
As I mentioned, the Escape Hybrid is a “full hybrid” capable of running on its electric motor and 330-volt nickel-metal hydride battery at low speeds, up to 48 km/h. The battery/electric motor also “assists” the gas engine when accelerating to provide more power – this year producing a combined 177 horsepower, up from 155 last year.
               2009 Ford Escape Hybrid . Click image to enlarge |
A continuously variable transmission transmits the power to the front wheels, and in the 4WD model (actually an on-demand all-wheel drive system), some torque can be automatically directed to the rear wheels to improve traction in slippery conditions.
Under light acceleration, the Escape Hybrid will use electric-only power, but it doesn’t take much throttle input for the gas engine to kick in and provide more power. The transition from electric to gas isn’t as abrupt as it used to be, but it’s still noticeable, if only by the sound of the engine. Under light throttle on level ground, I found the gas engine will start automatically before speed reaches 20 km/h – I couldn’t accelerate to 48 km/h under electric power alone.
For the driver’s reference, the tachometer includes a green EV area which indicates when the vehicle is running on electricity alone.
The CVT has a seamless operation and no discernible gear changes, but to first-timers, the moan of the engine under acceleration followed by a surprisingly quiet motor at highway speeds, will seem unusual.
One advantage of the CVT is that it allows the engine to run at lower speeds under light load, saving fuel and reducing engine noise. Overall, I found the Escape Hybrid to be quieter than its Escape XLT four-cylinder counterpart.
The Hybrid’s revised regenerative braking system does improve the Hybrid’s brake feel, removing that sudden, grabby feeling in earlier models. Front disc/rear drum brakes with ABS are standard on the Hybrid.
During my week with the Escape Hybrid 4WD, I averaged 8.2 L/100 km, but I found that fuel economy can vary significantly depending on how and where you drive. In the city, I observed fuel consumption in the 5 to 6 L/100 km range (using the instant fuel economy display in the centre screen), 7 or 8 L/100 km when cruising on the highway, and as high as 20 or 30 L/100 km when accelerating at full throttle. Owners who do more city driving will notice better fuel economy than highway drivers.
Filling up the tank with regular gas is easier than it used to be thanks to Ford’s new Easyfill system that does away with the screw cap. All you have to do is pull open the fuel door and start filling. It’s not only quicker, but less messy too.
The electric power assist steering requires very little effort, which makes parking easy, and the ride is comfortable but not luxurious – the Hybrid has a fully independent suspension and Michelin Latitude Touring P235/70R-16-inch tires on alloy wheels. For increased safety in poor weather conditions, the new standard traction and stability control with rollover sensors is a worthwhile addition to this tall SUV.
The Escape’s tall, square “greenhouse” and high seating position give the driver excellent visibility. A rear wiper with two speeds helps clear the grime that inevitably collects on the vertical rear window.
The Escape’s interior was revised in 2008 with a new centre stack and a “top of dash” illuminated information display which displays the time, outside temperature, compass, climate control settings, audio settings and Sync communications status – all at eye level.
The dash design is rather chunky with a variety of attractive textures and shades but fairly hard surfaces. The seat material is made of “post industrial materials that would have otherwise ended up in landfills,” says a Ford product release, and the seat cushions are made of eco-friendly soy-based foam. I found them comfortable during the week I had it.
The step-in height is not too high, but it requires stepping over a lip. The driver’s seating position is chair-like with a commanding view, as are the other seats. Headroom and legroom are generous for front and rear passengers. In the Hybrid, the driver’s seat has power height, tilt and fore-aft operation, but no seat heaters – these are only available with the optional leather seats.
Dash controls and steering wheel buttons are easy to reach and light up in a blue glow at night. The optional 6.5-inch Navi touch-screen can be used for a variety of functions, including a map showing your location, audio settings, a flow diagram showing distribution of power between battery, electric motor, engine and wheels; and information on average and instant fuel consumption. The navigation system includes a 40 GB hard drive (10 GB for music, 30 GB for navigation data), voice recognition capability, turn-by-turn voice instructions, and a full catalogue of points of interest.
At the bottom of the centre stack is a 110-volt outlet (made possible by the Hybrid’s 330-volt battery), a 12-volt socket, and auxiliary jacks for iPods and USBs. A useful armrest and storage bin between the front seats includes a coinholder and tissue holder. A total of four cupholders are located ahead of and behind the centre storage box.
All Escapes come with standard front, side and curtain airbags, five height adjustable head restraints, rear outboard lower anchors and tether anchors for child seats, remote keyless entry, and tire pressure monitoring system.
The split 60/40 folding seatbacks fold flat, but only after removing the rear head restraints and raising the rear seat cushions up against the front seatbacks. The good news is that the load floor is perfectly flat, and carpeted. The bad news is that the side walls are made of a soft plastic that will be marked by sliding objects. The Hybrid has slightly less cargo room than a regular Escape, but not enough that you’d notice.
The big NiMh battery pack is located underneath the trunk floor, and as I’ve noted in past reviews, a spilled jug of milk might find its way into the battery compartment. In fact, a red “Danger” label on the battery cover reads, “Do not tamper with or flood with water”.
To access the cargo area, the rear hatch lifts up fairly easily and features an independently opening rear window which I found useful for throwing in lightweight items.
All in all, the Escape Hybrid’s interior is comfortable and practical if not overly luxurious. I think it’s about time the folding rear seats were redesigned, though.
The Escape Hybrid 4WD combines decent performance and a roomy cabin and cargo area with excellent fuel economy, but the price premium over a standard Escape may give some people pause.
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Pricing: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD
Click here for options, dealer invoice prices and factory incentives
Specifications
Competitors
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- Test Drive: 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
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