2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. Hot or Not?

Question

I've been researching hybrids, and the vehicle that I keep coming back to is the Ford Escape Hybrid. What I wanted to know was...

how much it costs (on average), if it is actually a good alternative, and anything else.

Answer 1

I have a reg. escape it is a good running small suv I have about 90k on it and it gets 25mpg. What I can read the people that have the hybrid are getting around 30mpg.

Right now the dealer will not think of cutting the price any and you may be paying well over sticker and you will be put on a long list to get one when it is made at some point.

I would wate if you can

Answer 2

it'll cost over $30,000.

First, hybrids are not gasoline savers all the time in all situations, it depends on your driving.  If two models of the same car are driving down a hiway, one a hybrid version, the other a base model, the base model will get better mileage.  Why you ask?  The hybrid weights more and all that added batteries and electric motor WILL NOT ENGAUGE.  

Now repeat in a stop and go traffic, this time the hybrid will win because the car runs on the battery which has been recharged during slow and easy stops.

Next you need to ask, is there a reason for a SUV?  A car that seats five will be cheaper and get better mileage than all the extra weight of a SUV.  AND do you need 4WD? again, there are cross overs, 4 WD cars that weight less and will get better mileage than a SUV.

Here's a good one for you, the first generation GM Tahoe hybrid got less mileage than its regular version.  Back to the drawing board dropping weight (adding cost to use expensive metals) and dropping towing limits.

Answer 3

This link not only lets you compare hybrids but also gives the base retail price.

http://www.eartheasy.com/live_hybrid_car...

Answer 4

Not bad, if you feel you must have a SUV.  There are better choices, such as Honda Civic, Camry and Prius of course.  Your best bet would be to wait until 2010, when there may be a dozen or more new hybrids on the market.  Some may get 80 to 100 mpg.  Take a look at flytheroad.com.   PS - I just rented a Toyota Corolla and got 40 mpg on the highway - at 70 mph.

Answer 5

Well, since it uses all Toyota Hybrid Technology, you now have two choices.

Bottom line, look at the numbers and compare, the true Toyota will always have better reliability and resale value.

Answer 6

I just took a look at this and its interesting.....

I refuse to tell someone that a choice they make in a car is "wrong". While some folks think SUVs are wasteful I had a jeep wrangler for 8 years that I loved. It was tough as a tank and survived potholes in my neighborhood that broke lesser vehicles. It was a gas hog though and I made the choice to buy a Saturn Ion after the jeep hit the 100,000 mile mark. If you think you need an SUV then buy one, period and the heck with Al Gore who is flying everywhere in private jets.

Having said this, I come at the hybrid issue from the total cost perspective. Unlike Al Gore, I live in an apartment with a single parking space and can only afford one car. This car must meet all my expected driving needs (cargo, passengers, reliability, economy).

One of the posters here mentions that on the highway a hybrid won't perform too much better then a non hybrid and might perform worse in terms of mileage. Extending that from the "total cost perspective" and using the figures i have put in the source box it might be two to four years before you have made back the extra 6000 dollars in gas savings that you spent to buy the hybrid in the first place.

Answer 7

Not. Hybrids are hype - nothing more. They are not 'green'. You have to charge them on the local power grid - which is more than likely powered using fossil fuel. And the recaptured energy from the braking system ? It will never-ever reduce the overall cost to make it cost-effective. You'll do the environment ( and your pocket book) a favor by buying a fuel efficient 4-passenger car. (Battery's have nasty chemicals that will eventually end up in a landfill)