2008 Ford Escape Hybrid Consumer Reviews

6 month evaluation

Written by: City driver on 11/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I've had the vehicle for about 6 months. Bought the top-of-the-line and enjoyed it very much. It looks good, get great mileage (31 average). About a month after I bought it, it would start. Turned out there was a loose wire in the built in security system Last week, wrench light went on. Had to have a vent to cool the batteries replace. Hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

Favorite Features

Looks, versatility, gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

I put my bike(s)in the back. It would be nice if the material in the back was designed for more "outdoor" use. I have to put a cloth down to keep things clean. Bought the plastic liner to cover the back, but it didn't fit at all.

Report inappropriate post

Traded my X5 - never looked back

Written by: Denver on 08/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I drove a BMW X5 4.4 for five years prior to trading for the Escape Hybrid. Gas prices were part of my decision, and I honestly wanted to be one of the voices clamoring for Detroit to get with the program and invest in alternative powertrains. I loved the build quality and engineering excellence of the BMW. I expected that switching to a more pedestrian Ford was going to be full of compromise. Certainly, the finishes are less luxurious (recycled plastic instead of leather dash, fewer adjustments in the seating, etc), but overall, I have been quite satisfied. If I had it to do all over again, I would do it all over again.

Favorite Features

Zippy, great nav system, good leather seats, decent stereo, consistent 30 MPG.

Suggested Improvements

Why no E85? This should be easy! Understeer in corners, wallowing suspension, insane hoops to jump through to fold down rear seats (remove and stow headrests, lift and tumble seating surface, fold down seat back). No body side molding?

10 out 12 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Love it but it rattles.

Written by: Redwoodmeg on 07/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I love the idea of a hybrid SUV and I am happy to "buy American" I have had my new Ice Blue Escape (I call her Sky) for about a month and I am getting about 35.5 MPG! I am a high mileage driver and was driving a 2002 Explorer and getting about 15 MPG. That was my 2nd Explorer. I am dissapointed at the hardness of the center console and the arm rests. The leather is a little stiff and I have a rattle in the center console where it meets the dash. My biggest concern is a rather loud noise in the back hatch that appeared after I drove on a slightly rough road in the 2nd week. It seems to be coming from inside the door near the Ford emblem. I don't want to "accept" this or get used to it.

Favorite Features

Navigation, stereo, moon roof, size, color, and "greeness"

Suggested Improvements

More supple leather. Much softer arm rests/center console. Tighter connections on plastic interior.

15 out 17 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

New England Ownership after 1 year, 2 Mo

Written by: GuzziAlfa on 07/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I will echo much of the positive remarks about this vehicle although the one thing that is inconsistent between reviewers is mileage. In New England the weather is so variable by season that I actually charted my mileage for each fill up. In winter months with heat and electric seat heaters I could get 22 - 24 mpg. In the spring I shot back up to 30 mpg. Max mileage reached was 31.5 and that was only 3 times. The economy mode button helps by cutting out the engine at traffic lights so blowers will still work but not AC or heat. That's ok for short pauses. The one thing inconsistent is the HEV or hybrid display of mileage - it is always higher than reality by 1.5 - 2.5 miles.

Favorite Features

Hybrid - why else buy it, right? Navigation, upgraded stereo, handling, mileage for a 4 wheel drive, albeit all wheel drive vehicle. Pickup from stop for such a small motor/hybrid vehicle. I can pull away from a light on battery if I want or step on it in a hurry.

Suggested Improvements

Cargo space. The Sable wagon has more! H/L 4 wheel drive and a 2 wheel/4 wheel option. That would improve mileage. Worst feature is the warranty. Better battery life for running on motor only. Ford still has 3 year warranty for this vehicle. Sad, very sad. Hybrid battery has 8 year.

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

We love our Escape Hybrid

Written by: Bako on 07/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We have owned our 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid for almost one year. It has been a great car. We have had no problems with it of any sort. I had a good test of the AWD last winter when traveling a lonely state highway in a full-on snowstorm. There was 3-4 inches of snow on the road and the Escape handled it beautifully. The Highway Partol closed the road right after I made it through due to other vehicles involved in accidents. Our milage is a very consistent 27 to 28 MPG, whether city or highway. In very hot weather the city mileage drops if the A/C can't be kept in the "economy" mode. If the A/C is not in "economy" the gas motor runs all the time. Great car! Buy it if you can find one!

Favorite Features

Hybrid feature works great. Excellent gas mileage in stop and go traffic. Lots of interior room. Very good comfort. Nicely equiped with lots of standard features (such as cruise, dual zone A/C, trip computer, fog lights, etc.)

Suggested Improvements

If you can find one at all in dealer inventory it will probably be loaded up with navigation, leather, etc. Do what I did and save yourself about $3500: order a base level one. If you want navigation buy an aftermarket on-dash unit like a Garmin.

19 out 20 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Fifteen Months and Still Lovin' it

Written by: lvass on 06/28/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I bought my Escape Hybrid AWD in March 2007, shortly after they came out. I have averaged 31 MPG with this vehicle, driving 80% city, 20% highway. I couldn't be happier with this SUV. I am impressed by the improvements in ride and road noise (I own a 2001 Escape as well). The fit and finish have been great and it just right for both my 4' 11" wife and my 6'2" self. I live in Colorado, it has done very well in the mountains and the power of the 133 HP 4 cylinder backed up by the electric motor is equivalent to the V6 gas Escape I have. I think this vehicle is well worth looking at if you are considering a hybrid SUV and you have a small family (2 kids) like my self. Ford has done a nice job.

Favorite Features

Excellent gas mileage for an AWD vehicle. Significantly improved insulation form earlier models. Great in the snow.

Suggested Improvements

Tow package and DVD entertainment system for the hybrid would be nice. More colors would be nice, too.

18 out 18 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Automotive Breakthrough

Written by: Joseph on 06/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I purchased my 2008 last summer, and have no regrets. We've had the orange wrench light come on a few times though. Although there were no observable problems, they had to replace cooling fans, motors, etc. I suspect the system detects potential problems quickly. I get around 37MPG in winter, and 33MPG in summer (with AC running most of the time (Tucson, AZ)). There's a squeak sound coming from a motor somewhere. It sounds like a clutch engaging/disengaging. They repaired it once by replacing the AC motor, but it has returned. I'm due for my 20k soon, so I'll have them check it at that time.

Favorite Features

Definitely the CVT. This performs wonderfully when driving though hilly/mountainous. The mileage is great!

Suggested Improvements

Passenger side "handle" above the door; full size spare; trailer hitch (for my bike rack).

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great Ford SUV

Written by: Tom on 06/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Leather Interior needs to be more comfortable, but overall this is a great vehicle and will buy another one. Very reliable and gas mileage is great even with my lead foot. Finally the US automakers have something to be really proud of. Over 21,000 miles of hard driving and no problems! Highly recommended!

Favorite Features

Performance & handling, love the NAV system.

Suggested Improvements

More comfortable interior. Even the leather is rather hard.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Just a Great 4 X4 Vehicle

Written by: Mike on 06/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I ordered the Escape with all options and it arrived in 3 weeks. The quality is excellent. If only it had stearing wheel controls for the radio and navigation system. It is somewhat distracting to take your eyes off the road to change radio stations, or enter a new destination on the nav system. Other than that the Escape is a great vehicle. Leather seats are comfortable, and the interior is very well dressed up. Rear seats fold nicely flat. Plenty of room for 4 people and luggage for a week in the rear. Tires are quite and smooth, but the continental tires are not good in the winter. Goodyear tires would be a much better choice.

Favorite Features

The navigation system is large and full of information. Not a small 4.3" like the aftermarket units. But the gas mileage is my favorite. Even with the four wheel drive version I am often averaging in excess of 30 miles per gallon which is more than the vehicle is rated at.

Suggested Improvements

Steering wheel controls for the radio are desperately needed, along with 8 way memory adjustable drivers seat. Just to hard to fine tune that seat after someone else drives the vehicle. A bit more sound insulation would help.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Hybrid vs. Quality

Written by: jeb on 06/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I was determined to buy a hybrid and I guess I was lucky to get one but I had to pay a premium for it. I am not sure it was worth it - I think you give up quality in other areas. I will have to say that the quality is no where near as nice as the Expedition I had prior. Some of the interior and exterior portions of the car are cheap plastic and scratch very easy. have a fully loaded model except for the navigation system. I am getting about 25 miles to the gallon but if you like to stay cool during the summer months forget driving in electric mode - the one thing they don't tell you is you won't go electic with the AC on even in econ mode!

Favorite Features

The car comes with a backing up indicator that is great - if you use it you should never back up into anything again! And the split fold down seats are a must in this car!

Suggested Improvements

1) Re-design the way to fold down the back seats, way too many steps to be efficient. 2) add hanger for cloths - there is only one at the back left side which blocks your vision. It should be on the dirver side. 3) the seat belt scratches the walls of the interior and is really hard to get out.

6 out 8 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post