Ford Escape 2008 vs Ford Escape Hybrid?

Question

Finally, we are going to begin looking at SUV's. I told my husband my top 4 cars: Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Suburu Tribeca, and Saturn Outlook. Also of course in the running - Toyota RAV4/Highlander (reg and hybrid), Ford Taurus X/Freestyle, and others. So my question - after reviewing all the reviews for regular Ford Escape vs Escape Hybrid - any negatives to getting the Hybrid? (Hopefully Ethol sees this and she has really helped in the past...but others too!)

Thanks so far. FYI, this will be hubby's car and he will be doing mostly city/suburb street driving, but we do some expressways of course.

Answer 1

Hi Aloha
For me to properly answer about all those vehicles would take up the whole page so I'll concentrate my answer on reality.
The reality is that I believe you would be extremely happy with a Hybrid Escape.
It has been proven itself to be a huge success year after year.
New York city cab drivers have had a fleet of them doing double duty since 2005 with absolutely remarkable service,
Now you know if a vehicle can take the abuse & run 24/7 for more than 3 years & HUNDREDS of thousands of miles... as a New York city cab {*GASP*} It HAS to be good!

And you know that I am ALL about America! & American owned Auto Manufacturers.
& America's economy.
(see this article for more on that subject)


http://www.thecarconnection.com/pf/Auto_News/Commentary/At_Witz_End_Whats_an_American_Car.S192.A11981.html

However...
If you & your hubby plan on taking delivery of a new Hybrid Escape or a Mercury Mariner..... sorry but you'll probably have to get on a waiting list.
They're THAT hot.

The Tribeca ?... I'd direct you instead to the Ford Edge, more value & power for less money.
Taurus X ?... Great vehicle, good value, new look & power-train & built in my home town Chicago !
Saturn Outlook ? ..again I think Edge is a better value.

Here's a competitive comparison of those vehicles:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/edge/compare/details/?vehicles=20069|22016|20237|20911

But if you are in the market right now & want the BEST deal & value..
You cannot go wrong by choosing one of the (very few remaining) 2007 Freestyles.

EDIT:
Just to clear up a little confusion within above answers.
The 2008 Escape (new design) was released in late January 2007 so there are no more '07 models left.
The Hybrid Escape is still considered the greenest SUV.
Its fuel economy has not decreased. What has changed is the EPAs ratings. All 2008 models are subjected to a new method of testing & therefor the 'posted' MPGs may appear to be reduced, when actually they are now more realistic postings but have not (in reality) 'changed'.
See http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ratings2008.shtml

Also the Hybrid Escapes federal tax incentives have been increased for 2008 models. Now FWD = $3000 & AWD = $2200.
The hybrid Escapes have also DECREASED in price since their inception (2005)
And in most states there are additional Tax incentives.

All of the above are reasons for this vehicles vast popularity & the reason why I said you may have to get on a waiting list & it may be a while before you can actually enjoy the benefits.

Answer 2

Comparing the hybrid models to the regular models of the same car, the only negative is the higher cost. However, you'll make up the initial cost in gas savings in about 5 years (and if you're paying off the car with a 5-year loan, the higher monthly payment will be offset by the gas savings).

For some reason the '08 Escape hybrid actually gets worse mileage than the '07 Escape hybrid, which is the greenest SUV you can buy. The Mercury Mariner 2-wheel drive is tied with the '08 Escape hybrid 4-wheel drive as the second-greenest.

http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center-top100/

Claims about poor hybrid mileage on the freeway are simply myths. SUV hybrids get better mileage on the freeway than in the city, and my Prius gets 50 mpg on the freeway.

I'd suggest you buy an '07 Escape hybrid when the '08 models come out and get the most fuel-efficient hybrid available for cheap!

Answer 3

My wife also wants a Ford Escape Hybrid, thus I have been doing a little research myself. We are a family who have been very loyal to both Ford and Honda. (Past: '87 Honda Accord LXi, '96 Ford Mustang GT, '99 Ford Explorer XLT, '00 Honda Accord LX. Currently: '04 Honda Odyssey EXL, and '04 Ford F150 FX4 Super Crew.) I like the looks of the '08 Escape Hybrid, but I hear that the power is somewhat lacking and that the actual MPG is less than advertised. We recently went and looked into the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and like size of the Toyota compared to the Escape (got to be able to fit 2 kids, dog and all our stuff.)
Getting the Hybrid would make the environmentalists happier, but I am not quite sure if you would be saving as much money in the long run. Hopefully some of my babbling is helpful, as far as capacity, we are now considering the Honda Accord Hybrid. Would be nice if they would make an Expedition Hybrid... maybe someday.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Depending on your driving habits the Hybrid will be a better fuel saver if you are only in stop and go or under 35 mph traffic.

If you commute or do any highway driving the cost savings are not there.

My personal experience of having delivered 5 Hybrids is that if you plan on keeping the vehicle for more than 4-5 years and your driving situation is low speed commuting, get the Hybrid. If this is not the case, save a few bucks and get the V6 or the I4 they are great vehicles.

The Federal government does give a credit for the first purchaser of a Hybrid vehicle.

$1950 for a FWD and $2600 for an AWD. The tax credit is good till 12/31/2010 or till the 60,000 unit has been sold.

Bottom line, either gas or Hybrid , you are getting a great tuck for the $$$

BY THE WAY ALL, OUT OF A JOB? KEEP BUYING FOREIGN

Answer 5

If you like the Saturn Outlook, you should also consider the GMC Acadia http://gmc.com/acadia . It is a handsome SUV based on the Outlook that doesn't look as feminine as the Outlook.
The Hybrids are sort of small. Yeah, it might get more MPG, but do you care more about enjoying feeling comfortable, safe and non - cramped or do you want a small SUV that has limited space and gets a little more MPG than the non Hybrid? If it's the first one, OK you know what I mean. If it's The 2nd one? Then wow, I must be wrong. Still I would strongly recommend the Saturn Outlook/GMC Acadia.

Answer 6

Shame on Kendra, I own an independent shop and I can tell you that I have 3 trained Hybrid Mechanics. YES I sent them for the training, and the Ford dealers also train their people. This is turning out to be a secret of Fords, It is a very dependable vehicle and you can't beat the 35MPG. Read Road and tracks or even Consumer reports did a story on the Escape.

Answer 7

I would recommend the Escape/Mariner Hybrid as you state your husband will be doing mostly city driving. The full hybrid is designed to optimize fuel economy in stop and go traffic. At low speeds the Escape/Mariner can operate with only the electric motor. Using the brakes will also charge the batteries.

I agree with Ethol's answers and comments regarding mileage and tax incentives. Also, they are selling well so there may be a slight wait before you can pick one up. You'll need to talk to you dealer. Good luck with your purchase.

Answer 8

Fords are not as bad as everyone says they are. I have owned 4 different fords, a 1992 taurus, a 1999 Taurus, a 1997 F-150 and a 2005 F-150, and the only one I had problems with is the 99 Taurus, all others ran great for many years without problems.

But I would still get a Honda or Toyota :).

Answer 9

A girl I work with has a Ford Escape hybris and only gets about 2 more mpg than my wife's 07 CRV. That is not worth the extra cost and potential maintenance cost for me. Drive a CRV, we love ours and it gets 28mpg highway!

Answer 10

It really depends. I would get the normal Escape because of its extra power, it can haul, still gets up to 28 mpg, and has a chrome package the hybrid doesn't offer. It is also $7,000 dollars cheaper.