IMO Ford hybrids are fine.
Ford Escape Hybrid - Opinions?
- Thread starter Number_35
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4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Put 157k on a Fusion Hybrid - front end needed some TLC but driveline was stellar - easy ATF changes …
I'd be more inclined to bet against the Hyundai.
Yeah, I would wait a couple years and see how they do.
So CR recommended their three favorite brands?
What a surprise!
The considerable price premium you'd pay for the Subie, the Toy or the Honda would need to be factored in.
I have a 22 Maverick Hybrid and it has been flawless. I love the fuel mileage and other than a few recalls no issues. I believe Ford has their hybrids well under control.
Thank you all! I've sent a link to this thread to my friend, the prospective purchaser's dad.
I will discuss the plusses and minuses you've all presented here with daughter and dad. It will ultimately be her decision.
I'll update the thread as things develop.
I will discuss the plusses and minuses you've all presented here with daughter and dad. It will ultimately be her decision.
I'll update the thread as things develop.
I think @FZ1 is saying the advantages of a hybrid are not fully used when most of the mileage is steady-state highway driving.
But that's more an argument against a hybrid than a small SUV.
I think AWD or 4WD is justified in this case - winter travel half the year on a good highway, albeit one subject to use and blowing snow.
CR's info shows really poor reliability info as reported by their subscribers. I was surprised, based on info here suggesting the vehicle is pretty good. The hybrid gets much worse reviews than the gas engine. Not sure what's up with that...
My sisters 2010 Escape Hybrid has been a work horse and dead reliable….140k and counting. Still on original brakes!
My 2010 Fusion Hybrid is still in the family and going strong. Our 2013 was a piece of junk. Just realize that when buying a Ford, you’ll be on your own for repairs from day 1. The dealers will weasel their way out of any and all repairs.
If it's mostly highway miles the hybrid isn't going to help much and will take a long time to recoup the price difference. If she has alot of around town and or stop and go.
If you get an Atkinson cycle engine or a "better" (toyota style) CVT transmission that to me makes it worth it.
This is critical because certain Escape hybrids despite being older with lower FE can be more or less reliable, the current generation is not as reliable as several years back, tons of recalls in the pandemic years.
If you research for the ideal year for reliability and pick up a rust free southern model you may have a better time than examples made in the last 3 years.
Still kicking myself I didn’t wait out the 3 year delay to get a 2021 $19,995 Maverick Hybrid, I figured the plug in was only a few years off but it never materialized
I wonder whether those opining that a hybrid does little in highway use have ever owned one?
I can tell you from personal experience that even in highway use the hybrid does have much lower fuel consumption than the same car equipped as ICE only.
No way on this earth that I'd see 47-48 mpg driving on an interstate trip with a 1.5T as I do with the Accord hybrid.
I can tell you from personal experience that even in highway use the hybrid does have much lower fuel consumption than the same car equipped as ICE only.
No way on this earth that I'd see 47-48 mpg driving on an interstate trip with a 1.5T as I do with the Accord hybrid.
Yea, I was thinking of posting just about the same thing as you.
Even on the highway there are times the ICE in my truck will shut down and there are times (changing speeds) where the electric motor is assisting.
If people got on the highway, held one speed, and that highway was as flat as a pool table, then you'd be correct. But people usually have to crawl through a neighborhood/town to get to the highway, and then do the same thing on the other end.
In the real world, people change speeds all the time, there are hills, there's traffic, etc, and the hybrid helps out plenty.
I routinely get 23mpg out of the F150 with lots of highway driving(I've seen as high as 26 with less highway). The regular 3.5 and 5.0 are usually in the teens.
My Mazda3 NA with AWD gets surprising fuel mileage. Just drove from Denver to Dallas to spend the holiday. Some interstate from Denver to Raton N.M. then mostly 4 lane highways (but driving thru some towns every 20 to 30 miles or so (US 87 & 287). My son who drove most of the way was doing 80+ most of the time (speed limits were mostly 70 to 75). Lowest tank was 36 mpg, highest was almost 42 mpg. I'm sure it could have been better without leadfoot driving. In town it regularly gets 26 to28 mpg doing short stop and go trips. Throw in a few freeway/expressway miles and a few tanks were close to 30mpg. I'd have to say this is an ideal alternative to a hybrid especially if the commute includes a fair amount of steady interstate speeds. It's fun to drive, great handling, quiet, and bargain priced (under 30K).
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