The 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid has one thing going for it the competition can't match -- it's the only compact hybrid SUV on the market. Of course, there's also the fact that competing gasoline-only SUVs are almost as fuel efficient and certainly more affordable. The Escape gets a combined fuel economy rating of around 30 mpg, which breaks down to 30 city and 27 highway. However, the GMC Terrain gets 32 on the open road and 22 around town and is $5,000 cheaper. Ditto on the fuel economy for the Hyundai Tucson, which is a rather jarring $11,000 less expensive.
The Escape has an MSRP range of $31,615 to $34,125, with U.S. News placing the averages paid between $31,827 and $34,300. The hybrid is available in two trims, the base and the Limited, which is top of the line. There have been few changes in the SUV over the 2010. It remains a powerful, small SUV with a reputation for a smooth ride. The 153 hp gasoline engine is paired with a 94 hp electric motor and transitions between the two are smooth to the point of transparence.
Because the hybrid Escape weighs in at 300 lbs. heavier than the gas-only version, it does have a longer braking distance and some reviewers think the greater weight makes the vehicle lumber at low speeds. Consumer Guide said the "steering feels overboosted and numb," but Kelly Blue Book said it requires "less effort from the driver." Like most things, it's probably a matter of individual taste, but by and large, the hybrid Explorer gets good marks for maneuverability and control.
Since nothing of any substance has been done to the exterior or interior since 2008, the overall appearance is getting dated. It's hard to fall in love with hard-plastic trim and unfortunately, there are too many gaps between the panels to call the finish strong. Parents will like -- and their teenagers will hate -- the MyKey system that allows the folks who are making the car payments to slow their children down, force them to use seatbelts, and play the audio system at something under eardrum breaking levels.
Families will likely not enjoy folding down the rear seats. It's cumbersome, involving taking off the headrests and the bottom cushions. When the job is done, you get 66 cubic feet of cargo room over the 28 you started with. What is really annoying, however, is that those rear seats don't slide. That cuts down on cargo and legroom, and frankly, just doesn't make much sense.
All safety bells and whistle are up to par, with standard dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted bags on the side, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and anti-lock brakes. In fact, all outboard seats have side curtain airbags. Bounce up to the Limited and you get a rearview camera, which may well become required equipment on all cars in coming years if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gets its way. It's a nice amenity, and once you've used one, it's hard to go back.
With a three-year / 36,000 mile basic warranty and a five-year / 60,000 mile powertrain warranty (with options for roadside assistance), most people feel more than secure behind the wheel of a hybrid Escape. The real issue is whether or not you're secure writing a check for one. This is one of those calls that's hard for the green among us to make. There's a cachet these days to driving anything with the word "hybrid" in the name and although the Escape is due for a redesign, it's not shabby by any means. It is expensive and you can get nearly equal performance from gasoline competitors. If, however, you simply have to have a compact SUV and you have to have a hybrid, this is the only one you're going to find.
