2008 Escape Hybrid: A Great Car - So Far

I feel like I'm taking a risk with this car, because Ford has not always had great long term reliability or high quality fit/finish. But the CR reliability reviews over the last couple years have been positive on the Escape Hybrid, so I made the leap and ordered a black 2008 FWD with everything on it. It qualifies for a $3K tax credit too. I considered the Toyota Highlander as well, but the economy rating wasn't as good as the Escape, and the overall quality, though slightly better, wasn't significant enough to justify the 20% higher price. Also, Toyota has sold many hybrid cars that the Highlander no longer qualifies for a tax break.

Definitely, the 2008 is better than past Escape models. Specifically, it's quieter and smoother. Sometimes, in slow city traffic it's completely silent. That's a great improvement over my 25 year old Toyota truck (we'll see if the Escape is as reliable in the long term) and a noticeable difference over the used 2005 Escape Hybrid that I also tested. It no longer roars like a monster when accelerating to freeway speed. Esthetically, I like the new "masculine" design more than than that of the older model. I found the Highlander's design too vanilla. The Escape is more attractive, and if I'm going to spend 28K, I want to find the design pleasing, at least to my taste.

The Escape handles well. It's no sports car, but it isn't loose or sloppy either. Certainly I find it better than my parents old 1999 Explorer. The new electric steering is comfortable and precise. Braking is smooth and straight, but not as short as it should be. The continuously variable auto transmission is amazing. You can't feel it shift gears because there are no gears, or more accurately, there are an infinite number of gears. It's amazing and contributes dramatically to the smooth ride. The Escape handles bumps in the road well for a mid-price SUV - not quite as well as the Highlander, but darn close.

I wanted an SUV for my hobby: scuba diving. I've been on one dive so far, and all my gear fit in the back without a problem when I put down the back seat. The real test will come during a winter dive when it's raining. I'm hoping the lift up gate will give me some shelter from rain and wind while changing into and out of my gear.

I purchased every possible option on the Escape, so I feel like I'm driving a luxury truck. The leather seats are quite comfortable. Some people on other sites have complained the seat bottoms on the Escape are too short, but so far I haven't noticed. I haven't taken a long trip yet, so I don't know if the seats have good long drive support. So far they seem fine. The 60/40 fold down back seat and the gate with the opening window have been helpful when coming home from the home improvement warehouse with lumber.

A moonroof was a requirement for me because NW cloudy days are dreary. A little extra natural light in the car is always good, but sometimes a moonroof limits headroom for someone like me. At 6'1", I have enough headroom to be completely comfortable in the Escape (unlike a Jeep Grand Cherokee). Unfortunately, the moonroof automatically comes with a satellite radio. Why I couldn't get one without the other is a mystery. The two don't seem logically linked. The car came with a 6 month subscription to Sirius. So far, I'm unimpressed. The quality of the sound is good, but beware - they aren't really commercial free. They advertise their own product, which interrupts the music. Maybe I'll feel differently if I take a long trip, but right now that isn't on my schedule prior to the end of my trial subscription provided by Ford.

I also ordered the navigation system. It works well and has helped me on a couple occasions find some suburban locations (I'm a city boy, the suburbs are like a different country to me). Thankfully the screen is a decent size now, much bigger than in the 2005 Escape.

The gas and electric engines on the hybrid combine to give the car a 155 horsepower rating. That's enough to merge at full speed on the freeway, but I won't be winning any drag races. That's okay. I bought the hybrid for its efficiency, not its acceleration.

The most disappointing thing about the Escape so far is the large amount of hard plastic on the interior. Though all the joints and seams are good, the overall impression is cheap. But, it's a truck, so I guess I was willing to cut some slack to Ford on that one issue. I do think the new "ice blue" lighting scheme on the instrument panel is cool. And, the air-conditioning works well - especially with a separate front passenger zone temp control. Now I don't have to freeze just because my partner is always feeling hot.

The upgraded sound system is good, but I don't think it's going to win any technical awards. It satisfies my untrained ear with 7 speakers including a sub-woofer in the rear. It's as good as the stereo in my 1998 Lexus.

Last of all, I'm most pleased with the fuel economy. I mostly drive in the city which is where the Escape does its best. I've averaged about 32mpg. To me, that's amazing, even for a small SUV - and much better than my old Toyota truck. I think I made a good choice with this car, and I hope long term reliability will support the risk I took.