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2011 Ford Escape Hybrid Overview

2011 Ford Escape Hybrid doesn't deliver all the fuel economy of smaller hybrid cars the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius, it does offer greater capability and utility, especially when outfitted with AWD. Choosing the Escape Hybrid over a gas-only model will cost you more money, but you can still feel good about using less gas and spewing fewer pollutants than otherwise-efficient, not hybrid SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

What's Significant about this car?

The most notable features are MyKey programmable key, an integrated blind spot side view mirror, a rear view camera, Active Park Assist parallel parking aid and the SYNC system with Direction, Traffic and Information.

You'll Like This SUV If...

The Escape Hybrid delivers a unique combination of SUV utility, hybrid fuel efficiency, and a sort of strong and refined style that's appropriate for both campgrounds and downtowns.

You May Not Like This SUV If...

2011 Escape Hybrid still doesn't match the levels of refinement offered by many of its hybrid and small SUV rivals.

Driving Impressions

The Escape Hybrid never feels more friendly than when it's gliding gently through a parking lot - or during short turns of stop-and-go traffic - on electricity alone. Opportunely, Escape Hybrid owners are left with a absolutely pleasant daily driver, when the newness of all-electric operation wears off. In fact, once you get used to the engine turning off at vehicle stops, the automatic engine restart and the exclusive feelings of the continuously changeable transmission - all typical hybrid features - the Escape Hybrid transforms into a pretty run-of-the-mill SUV, with handling and ride characteristics not much different than those of its rivals. Buy car, american car.

Favorite Features

Active Park Assist
This feature usually found only on super luxury cars, the Escape Hybrid's Active Park Assist uses the electric power steering unit and sonar to automatically guide the Escape into a parking spot. The driver gets voice prompts when to apply power and shift gears.

Navigation System
We are always glad for the capability to easily and quickly find the nearest refuelling station.

Exterior

2011 Escape Hybrid carries over with little change. A bold front end combines with smooth lines to result in an Escape that's both more strong and more refined than its predecessor, and mimics the looks of its bigger brothers like Expedition and Explorer. The Escape Hybrid would be easy classified from the gas-only Escape XLT by unique 16-inch aluminum wheels and «Hybrid» badges. The Limited trim adds bright machined aluminum wheels, chrome liftgate handle, lower chrome grille extension, chrome roof-rail inserts and driver's door keyless entry keypad.

Interior

The Escape Hybrid seats five people in two rows of seats. It has a swing-up hatch, and the rear seats fold in a 60/40 split to increase cargo capacity. A leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard. The 2011 Escape Hybrid's interior is gained laminated glass and thicker carpeting to help attain a quieter cabin with lowered highway noise. A firm seats, upright dash and clever features such as available ambient lighting create a much more contemporary behaviour. Ford's traditional green instrument lighting is replaced by a new Ice Blue illumination. Many hybrid owners will appreciate the fact that the Escape Hybrid's seat fabric is constructed of 100% recycled material. However, the overall feeling still seems a bit dated when compared with newer compact SUV offerings.

Notable Standard Equipment

The 2011 Escape Hybrid is equipped similarly to the gas-only model. It includes dual-zone climate control, cruise control, remote keyless entry, power windows/locks/mirrors, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system with auxiliary audio input jack, Ford SYNC entertainment and communication system and 16-inch aluminum wheels. Standard safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes and six airbags, as well as AdvanceTrac traction control with Roll Stability Control. The Limited trim adds 16-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, chrome exterior and interior accents, heated front seats, leather seating, a power moonroof, a six-disc in-dash CD changer, ambient lighting, the Reverse Sensing System, heated side mirrors and a driver's door keyless entry keypad.

Notable Optional Equipment

2011 Escape Hybrid's more desirable options include AWD, Active Park Assist, rear view camera, MyKey, DVD navigation with 10GB hard drive storage, roof rack crossbars and integrated side step bars.

Under the Hood

Ford Escape Hybrid is capable of running on battery power alone, at speeds up to about 25 miles per hour. The system delivers 0-to-60-mph acceleration equivalent to that of a 240-horsepower V6. The self-parking system handles all the steering required for parallel parking. The driver must still shift the transmission into gear as well as operate the brake and gas pedals. If needed the driver can override the system and steer the car. The Escape Hybrid's 153-horsepower gasoline engine uses the Atkinson-cycle combustion process for greater fuel efficiency.

2.5-liter in-line 4 Gas/Electric Hybrid Propulsion System
153 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
Electric motor: 94 horsepower @ 5000 rpm
136 pound-feet @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 34/31 (FWD), 30/27 (4WD)

Pricing Notes

The 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price just under $30,000 and tops out at more than $34,000 when fully equipped with a navigation system, AWD and other options. The larger Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which starts close to $36,000, is the only Escape's real rival. 2011 Escape Hybrid supposed to retain resale value better than its gasoline double but not as well as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

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