Article and photos by Grant Yoxon
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2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
Ottawa, Ontario – Our fifth entry in Fuel Economy Challenge is the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The Escape Hybrid is a full hybrid, meaning both the gasoline engine and an electric motor drive the wheels. The vehicle can be powered by the gasoline engine working alone, by the electric motor working alone or by both working together.
Full hybrids like the Escape achieve significant fuel savings in stop-and-go driving. In fact, due to efficient regenerative braking, large battery capacity and electric-only operation, a full hybrid should get better fuel economy in stop-and-go driving – the kind of driving most of us encounter on our daily commute – than it would in steady high-speed cruising where the gasoline engine runs continuously.
 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. Click image to enlarge |
The Escape Hybrid’s powertrain consists of a 2.3-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 133 hp at 6,000 rpm. A 70-k Watt (equivalent to 94 hp) electric motor provides added boost to the drive wheels when needed. The combination gives the Escape Hybrid a 155-hp power rating. A second generator-motor recharges the batteries, starts the engine and helps regulate the electric and gasoline power systems. The transmission is a continuously variable unit. A 330-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is located beneath the rear load floor. An electronic controller manages charging, drive assist, engine starting and shutdown and converts the traction motor into a generator during braking.
During coasting, at stoplights and at speeds up to 48 km/h, the Escape’s gasoline engine can shut down to conserve fuel. However, as we found out, getting the maximum benefits from the hybrid drivetrain requires a light foot on the accelerator. Step into the gas pedal and fuel consumption climbs.
 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. Click image to enlarge |
With an Energuide rating of 5.7 L/100 km in city driving and 6.7 L/100 km on the highway, the Escape Hybrid is by far the most fuel-efficient compact SUV available to consumers today. But in our baseline drive of 406.6 km, our Escape consumed 34.88 litres of fuel, in a roughly 60/40 mix of city and highway driving, which calculates to 8.57 L/100 km. This is still decent fuel economy for a 1,644 kg (3,624 lbs) vehicle (compare this to the lighter, four-cylinder-powered Honda CR-V we tested recently), but well above what a buyer might expect considering the price premium on the Escape Hybrid.
Base price for a 2008 Ford Escape is $23,999 (XLS 2.3L with FWD). The front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid has a list price of $31,499 but includes features comparable to the Escape XLT ($25,399 2.3L FWD) including six-way power driver’s seat, cruise control and 16-inch cast aluminum wheels, as well as dual-zone climate control, a feature found standard only on the V6-powered, all-wheel-drive Limited ($34,499).
 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. Click image to enlarge |
Federal and provincial incentives are available – see the Transport Canada Eco-auto web page for more details.
Options on our Kiwi Green Escape Hybrid tester include a chrome appearance package ($195), moonroof and satellite radio package ($1,295) and a 110-volt electrical outlet ($130).
Over the next few weeks, we’ll put fuel-efficient driving techniques to work to bring the Escape Hybrid’s fuel consumption more in line with its Energuide rating. Baseline driving techniques were not overly aggressive, but we didn’t take advantage of opportunities to save fuel. At the same time we’ll give you our impressions of the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid.
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Grant Yoxon is an Ottawa-based automotive journalist and Managing Editor.
