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Hybrid Vehicles Ford Escape Hybrid Ford Escape Hybrid MPG-Real World Numbers
201 messages, Last post on Jun 24, 2009 at 11:16 AM
You are in the Ford Escape Hybrid Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
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Replying to: mecheng1 (Nov 07, 2007 12:19 pm)  Get to test drive one, just to get a feel for it, but it really is just like a regular gas engine, except when in electric mode, then totally silent. Pick up is great, often surprised that when light turns green, everybody else is left behind, except for some sports cars!  All else works just as advertised. I now have been a proud Hybrid owner for two years, and can't find fault. Really! On some city driving (4WD) I actually get 37 mpg, which is surprising. But in regular traffic, on highway I get about 30+, and if just doing short hops (engine warms up and recharges all those batteries) I'll only average 27 mpg. You do learn after a while how to 'milk it' to get better mileage, if that is your goal. With today's gas prices, it sure is mine.  It is an SUV, so don't expect very high mileage, but that's good enough for me. And it really is a joy of a car to drive, so quiet and smooth, seamless really. I've also taken it into some pretty rough off-road desert driving, and just great. My GPS could be better, if I must gripe about something.  Overall, try it, you'll like it. I have. 
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We have a material hold on Hybrids right now. Means we can't order any for stock or retail. For 2008 the Hybrid was not allocated seperately from the gas Escape as in previous model years. Mark. |
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Hi I do service for a living and, because I am here in Albany NY, I also need 4WD. I wish there were plug in Hybrids available--then I would stock up on Solar panels and the hell with all off them. Now, back to reality. I made a mistake a couple of years ago and leased a Dodge Magnum--supposed to get about 24-27 MPG on the highway--which must have been downhill all the way and then a tow back up! I will be in the market for a vehicle late summer 2008 and have been looking now. The road seems to be littered with Prius hybrids but some Escapes are mixed in. The mid 20''s MPG does not seem to be worth the $$ and replacement costs for the Escape as that kind of mileage can be had with gasoline, although it would be tough in a 4WD--maybe an AWD could do it. I am looking for recommendations, etc, for a vehicle to suit my needs. I carry some computers and parts with me, so an SUV makes the most sense. I had 2 Suzuki Grand Vitara's prior to the Dodge, and, for the $$, they are a great car---but the MPG topped out at 21. However, as a 4WD, it was great in the lousy weather. Right now, I like the Prius(smaller and replacement battery woe$--or so I hear), the Suzuki, possibly the Dodge Nitro(mileage is lousy, and from what I read elsewhere on the Edmunds site, I should stay away from it), then an Escape 4WD Hybrid. To you who have hybrids now, what is the scoop with replacing the batteries? I heard it is a very expensive project. Thanks for the time Bob
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This has been gone over before so please feel free to search for posts about this. The short story is this. Escape Hybrid is a AT-PZEV rated vehicle. Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. To achieve this rating, the following warranty is required: Unique Hybrid Componets - 8 years or 100,000 miles. AND on CA emission vehicles, (all those sold in New York) 10 years or 150,000 miles with full replacement cost on the high voltage battery pack. I was surprised to discover that there are actually people dumb enough to lease a hybrid. No hybrid currently on the market will get you back the extra cost of a hybrid vs a comparable sized gas vehicle with in the time frame of a lease. What you should really do is take some time at www.fueleconomy.gov with the side by side comparison tool. The site uses the new test numbers even for prior model year vehicles. Put in your current vehicle then the vehicle you are looking to buy. This site will give you a percentage of difference and dollar figures based on the average price of gas in the US. AND LETS FACE IT, there is no way you are going to get around paying a significant penalty for AWD vs. FWD. Mark |
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| As no Escape Hybrids are available in NE, it follows that I will not buy one! What is Ford thinking about? When there are real customers ready and willing to pony up, they send unsold vehicles to CA. It does not seem sensible business to me. | |
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Replying to: bobbobbob1 (Nov 11, 2007 7:04 pm) Dean
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Replying to: dean58 (Nov 12, 2007 3:03 pm) I agree. Once someone owns a hybrid, more and more savings "come out of the woodwork". (fewer oil changes, lower personal property taxes in some states). And the focus on battery replacements costs are ridiculus. The HVBattery is warranteed for 100,000 or 8 years minimum and the 8 year history of the Prius indicates they will last much longer -- once the batteries need to be replaced en mass...the price will come down and there will be plugin options available. Moreover, does anyone out there think gas prices will go down in the next 5 - 8 years ??? So the return on investment calculations are way off. Before I bought mine in 2006, I calculated 6 years before I saved enough to make up the extra price.....20 months later I figure it will actually be a little over 3 years.... [What other option on an automobile gets scrutinized with ROI calculations?, navigation systems?, fancy tires/wheels?, dvd systems?.....none. Buy a car with the hybrid drive train because you want it] 
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Replying to: mecheng1 (Nov 13, 2007 7:42 am) Sure batteries cells will degrade over time, and at some point it may be more practical t replace all the cells (or most of them) with new fresh cells for optimum performance, but the point is it's your choice and you don't have to if you don't want to. Time will tell, as I have over 41,000 miles on my '06 which I got in May of 05' I'm going to hit the 100,000 mark long before I hit the 8 year mark I'll let you know. |
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Replying to: mecheng1 (Nov 13, 2007 7:42 am) I think the jury is still out on that one. There have been reports of high repair costs on some of the Gen 1 hybrids. The Gen 2s have only been out since 2004.
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Replying to: stevedebi (Nov 28, 2007 1:23 pm) ......the point is, what has been the failure rate?, how many batteries have failed and why? did the design really change substantially between Gen1(2) and Gen2(3)? If the basic NiMH concept was flawed.....we would have seen a much higher rate of failure as the Prius design reaches 8, 9, 10 years old. I think a jury verdict doesn't need to wait until the design is 15 years old to decide if the NiMH HV Traction battery has a useful life that is comparable to other automobile components.
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