The Ford Escape hybrid had its day in the limelight, when it
debuted in mid-2004 as the first American-made hybrid and the
first SUV hybrid.
A SUV that could boast more than 30 mpg was certainly deserving
of recognition. Never mind that actual mileage has been running
in the low 20s for many owners, that Ford is only producing 20,000
units, or that the company abandoned its commitment to significantly
bump up the fuel economy of its fleet. They were indeed the first
to produce a SUV hybrid, and they deserve a pat on the back. And
it did win the "Truck
of the Year Award" at the 2005 International Auto Show
in Detroit.
A year later, the Escape Hybrid is no longer alone in the hybrid
SUV category. Unfortunately for Ford, the Lexus
Rx400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid—essentially
the same hybrid system in two different skins—have stolen
the Escape’s thunder. The Escape lacks the luxury features
(and the price tag) of the Rx400h, and lacks the power and seating
capacity of the Highlander Hybrid. June 2005 sales of the three
vehicles tell some of the story:
- Highlander - 2,869 units
- Rx400h - 2,605 units
- Escape - 1,126 units
The motivations of the earliest
Escape drivers, especially the fact that the wait for a Toyota
SUV hybrid was too long, may no longer be as compelling for some
shoppers. However, if maximizing MPG is your goal—and if
you don't care about third-row seating, raw power, towing capacity,
and luxury features—or if affordability is paramount, then
the Escape Hybrid may be the SUV hybrid for you.
The ups and downs:
- The price tag is likely to be $5,000 less than a Highlander
Hybrid, and $20,000 less than the Lexus SUV.
- The Escape nudges out the other two SUVs in terms of fuel
economy, although it’s received more than its share of
criticism for below-EPA figures.
- The 155 horsepower system is significantly slower than the
270 hp systems of the other vehicles.
- The towing capacity rating of 1,000 pounds looks weak compared
to the 3,500 pound capacity of the others.
Given these considerations, it’s difficult to rekindle
the
enthusiasm that came with the introduction of the Escape Hybrid.
Toyota added insult to injury, when it recently announced that
the upcoming Camry hybrid will be manufactured
in Kentucky, thereby removing the Escape's remaining distinction
as the only American-made hybrid.
