..............not for myself.

I don't know jack about it, or its hybrid technoilogy.

Are there any trade-offs with the gained gas milage?

Are there some expensive battery parts or "flux capacitors" or "doo-hickees" that have to replaced every XXXX miles?

Thanks

 

I don't know. Ford estimates Escape Hybrid 4x2 is capable of achieving mileage ratings of 36 city 31 hwy and 33 city 29 hwy in 4x4 models. My wife's 4X4 Escape gets an average of 20 mpg. I don't see much of a fuel savings that would offset the initial cost of the hybrid and the maintenance of the NiMH batteries. Batteries don't last forever and I haven't seen a replacement cost on these. They can't be cheap and knowing Ford, you probably won't be able to replace them yourself.

It may be great though.

 

There is supposed to be like a seperate 8 or 10 year warranty on the batteries.

 

Not worth it IMO.

I've researched because my mom was thinking about getting one. What I found so far (subject to change and may have).

• Hybrid doesn't get much better highway mileage then the normal v6 Escape.
• Better around town mileage at the expense of power/acceleration
• $3k markup fee.
• That tax break for fuel efficient vehicles doesn't last for the duration you own the car.

I'd hold off until it looks more promising.

 

In addition to what captian said, I personally wouldn't trust Ford with engineering a reliable Hybrid as of yet... If I were dead set on a Hybrid SUV, i'd look into the Toyota Highlander Hybrid...

http://www.toyota.com/highlander/minisite/

Just my 2 cents...

 

I just got certified on the Escape Hybrid and I don't think it's that bad. As was mentioned earlier, the battery replacement cost would offset the fuel savings, so Ford offers a longer warranty period that will include the first battery replacement so people won't be able to use that as an excuse. I'd say if you do more around town driving than commuting (like myself) then it's not a bad choice. If your all hwy at higher speeds, it wouldn't make as much a difference. Batteries really don't require any special maintenance or charging. Batteries get charged via alternator and while braking. Not really sure why we're discussing this on a Lightning forum though

I think it'll be interesting to see how the Hybrid does.

 

If you do a lot of high speed highway driving, hybrids are not as great as they appear.

The price delta ($3k MSRP, but more like $5-8k bassed on incentives) isn't worth it.

Set up a spreadsheet. Figure out how much per mile the gas version will cost you. Then figure out how many miles it would take to overcome the upfront purchase price.

 

I thought Ford had licensed this from Toyota.

 

When Ford was developing their stuff, they chatted with Toyota and the two automakers compared notes & patents. Turns out somethings Ford developed were pretty close to Toyotas stuff, so they agreed to 'license' some patents so nobody got ticked afterwards. The Ford system WAS designed in-house by their engineers, not purchased from toyota. The Ford system is very advanced and is the same if not better than the Toyota's setup. Ford will have over 100 patents when all is said and done.

As for the vehicle itself, if you do a majority of stop and go city driving and need the space, the Escape is an excellent choice! While the 3K penalty is a little steep, you'll be doing your part for the planet and saving $$ at the pump. It will take a few years to make up the 3k in gas savings, but if your in it for the long haul it's a wise choice.


Lifted from FAQ at http://www.fordvehicles.com/escapehybrid/home/index.asp

Will there be an extended warranty on the battery?


Unique Hybrid components such as the High Voltage Battery, Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission, and DC/DC converter will have an additional warranty coverage of 8 years/ 100,000 miles (10 years, 150,000 miles in PZEV states were required by law). This is in addition to the standard Ford Warranty coverages like the Bumper-to-Bumper 3 year/36,000 mile warranty, Roadside Assistance, Tires, Corrosion Protection, Safety Restraints and Emissions.

 

Hmmmm. I read an article that was linked from the VW boards, article made it sound like it was a joint effort going forward between Ford and Toyota on hybrid technology.

 

My wife has a 2005 Escape, NON-hybrid. It's a nice vehicle.

They hybrid was tested in a number of places, but the latest I've seen is on "Motorweek," and they thought it was a good product. It only comes with a 4 cyl, but it performs like the std V6. It gets CONSIDERABLY better mileage than the std V6.

For $3000 more than std, I'm not sure about payback, but think many buyers will do it simply for the altruism of helping out the environment in their own small way.

 

I got see a pre-production prototype last time I went to school. They say Ford engineers gassed a few of them up and told drivers to negotiate every street on Manhattan Island until they ran out of road or gas. I think they drove something like 14 hours and averaged 42 mpg in the city doing mostly stop and go driving.

I think it looks pretty neat. I work for a Lincoln-Mercury dealer, so we probably won't see any hybrid Mariners until sometime next year, so I won't officially get to fiddle with them yet. They say it drives just like a V6 Escape, since the electric motor generates peak torque whether it's at 1 rpm or 10,000 rpm. I think you get a 10 year/100K mile warranty on the battery pack.

 

According to Ford, that's not how it worked out. And by the sheer number of patents Ford submitted for this setup, I'm leaning towards they actually did it themselves.

The chief chick in charge of the hybrid project says other automakers have requested info about their setup, and may license some of Ford's stuff. I'm guessing a few folks are working together, but not telling us poor shlubs about it.