2005 Ford Escape Hybrid

Although some Hybrids have unusual exterior features and fairly advertise the fact that you're driving something different, the Escape is subtle. There's discrete road-and-leaf badging and an available special bright trim package featuring silver-painted body side cladding and wheel lip moldings, along with body-color door handles. The Escape Hybrid rolls on handsome, five-spoke 16-inch wheels and P235/70R16 all-season tires. It also boasts a set of unique gauges, including a "green zone" gauge that displays when the vehicle is operating in its most economical mode. A flow-through center console is standard. It can be supplemented with an optional 110-volt, 150-watt AC plug that permits campers to run everything from TV sets to stereos.


Just because the Escape Hybrid is a fuel economy star doesn't mean you can't have a few luxuries. An optional leather comfort accessory group includes a leather-wrapped wheel and leather-trimmed seats. Although the vehicle is well equipped for safety with dual front airbags, you can also opt for Ford's Safety Canopy side air curtain system and front side-impact airbags, as well. Hedonists may insist on the optional MACH Audio six-disc in-dash CD changer. And the options list also includes a cargo cover as well as a Hybrid energy display or power flow monitor incorporating a navigation system, plus the aforementioned upgraded stereo, for $1850.

An optional leather comfort accessory group includes a leather-wrapped wheel and leather-trimmed seats.

Inside, there's comfortable seating for five passengers, fully 27 cubic feet of cargo space (the battery pack takes up about 1.7-cubic feet) behind the second row of seats, and 65 cubic feet of storage with the rear seat folded. Load up to 100 pounds on the sturdy roof rack and the Escape is capable of impressive hauling. The Escape Hybrid is rated to tow up to 1,000 pounds (the standard Escape can handle 1500 pounds)—enough for a light boat, camp trailer or a couple of dirt bikes.


Underway, the Hybrid nature of the Escape is partially masked when you dip heavily into the power. From the driver's standpoint, it feels conventional and responds normally. Of course, when you're stopped in traffic and the gasoline engine shuts off all by itself, there's no mistaking that this is no regular SUV. Other differences? Due to the CVT transmission you may note increased revs when climbing highway hills. Conversely, there's not much engine braking when you're descending. No matter, response to the throttle is lively, and the Escape Hybrid runs with even the fastest moving traffic much like a conventional V-6 Escape. Under hard acceleration, the four-cylinder gasoline engine sounds a bit busier than a conventional V-6-but the increase in fuel economy makes for a worthwhile trade-off.


The Escape Hybrid isn't a serious off-road vehicle, but it will handle uneven surfaces, gravel roads and, we'd expect, snowy surfaces, with aplomb. For drivers that need maximum grip, the Escape Hybrid 4WD is the clear choice—and ranks as the first ever hybrid to offer the sure all-season traction of four-wheel drive.