2006 Ford Escape Hybrid Consumer Reviews

Bill's Escape

Written by: Bill on 05/22/2009

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I brought the car because I wanted to do good for the environment. And to get good economy. From the first day I started to drive it, it was a fun car. It's room, and can fit 4 adults comfortable. I especially like the navigation system. Too bad it was not true GPS. Now is it basically useless. I do like the roll out cover behind the 2nd seat. If you have to carry something and you don't want it to be seen, rolling out the cargo cover, hides everything back there. As long as it is not taller than the cargo cover.

Favorite Features

The CVT Transmission was especially good for adding engine drag or braking while going down hill. And you can put it in first gear and get the engine drag of braking at any speed.

Suggested Improvements

I know for a fact that the navigation system has already been updated to true GPS. It would be nice if Ford came back and correct that feature for all 2006 Escape Hybrids

8 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Love my hybrid

Written by: green in NewEngland on 05/18/2009

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We were lucky enough to get this hybrid off the truck as there were none left in New England. I have not had trouble with my car at all. I do take it to required check-ups and oil changes. It gets out of alignment about once a year but I'm sure my new drivers are responsible for that. They love to take the hybrid because their sporty cars are gas hogs. At first the mileage was just average but as it ages it gets better and better. The interior is driver friendly, it's good in snow and warms up super fast on icy days. After three years and 72,000 miles, I love it and will replace it with the same thing when it gets too old to go.

Favorite Features

Reliability, good looks- I put a grill guard on and it looks so cute- and nice size. I like the way it is higher than a car but I don't need a ladder to get in. The plug on the dash is very handy. Plenty of carseat room too. I can help the earth without stuffing my family into a sedan.

Suggested Improvements

Dealers need to have better training in use and care of hybrids. Our dealer actually came to us for user information on the car.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Why get a hybrid?

Written by: DogFather on 02/27/2009

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

My wife and I purchased the hybrid to increase our fuel efficiency. After 15 months, the Aux. Mode Door Actuator ceased to work. It wasn't under warranty so we paid over $500 to replace it. This offset all savings of having a hybrid. Now after 14 months, the same thing has happened again so we might as well have bought a standard Escape and saved in the long run. We found no benefit because of this in owning a hybrid by Ford.

Favorite Features

It has excellent fuel efficiency. Too bad the actuator door costs cost more than the gas it saves.

Suggested Improvements

Make the Auxiliary Mode Door Actuator last more than 14 Months. Incidentally, just long enough so the old one isn't covered under warranty. I'm wondering if Ford has gone back to their old ways that got them in trouble in the eighties.

2 out 7 people found this review helpful

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I love my hybrid and here's why

Written by: spacefan on 11/18/2008

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

First, if you have the fuel/electric usage interface for the navigation system you know what your mileage is and can adjust your driving style. Second, the system provides an average miles per gallon, not the actual miles per gallon. Third, check your tire pressure every two weeks to ensure proper inflation--it is amazing what effect properly inflated tires have on gas mileage. Fourth, with the exception of a recall on the electronics for the big battery (and the need to replace the big battery), this vehicle has been wonderfully reliable even in really cold weather (keep in mind the battery starts the engine). Lastly, during the worst of the gas crisis I was smiling all the way to the bank!

Favorite Features

Love having an actual electric outlet in the car--don't need the car lighter adapter chargers for my cell phone.

Suggested Improvements

Needs better fit and finish for the back storage area--carpet did not fit neatly. Also, there is no temperature indicator on the navigation screen--I miss not knowing how bloody cold or hot it really is outside. Last, need to provide actual miles per gallon not the average.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Exactly what we hoped

Written by: ronl on 08/26/2008

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Got this car to go between San Francisco and Sacramento. One city is hilly and cool, the other flat and often hot. So, we do a lot of city driving on hills, and often use the A/C. In just over 3 years and 67,000 miles, we've avg'd over 31 mpg. (For the first 5000 mi or so, we only avg'd 28 mpg. This is as expected, as there's a sort of 'burn-in' period for the engine. Since then, we've avg'd over 32 mpg.) We've never had a repair, only normal maintenance - oil change, tune-up, etc. The car rides very well, but the interior is hard to clean, especially after carrying rock, soil, compost, and straw for our yard. In short, this car has met our best expectations.

Favorite Features

Great gas mileage! It carries everything we need it to carry, including heavy landscape materials. This car has been very reliable. We've never had a repair, even as we've averaged driving it well over 20,000 miles per year for the past three years.

Suggested Improvements

Would have liked a plug-in hybrid!

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Excellent value for a small SUV

Written by: Hybrid Tom on 08/22/2008

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

The Escape Hybrid looks much smaller than it is. Interior space is much more than it appears. With tax credits, the cost equaled a V-6 with 4 cylinder MPG. Overall, no problems, and lots of approval from the tree huggers.

Favorite Features

Not using fuel when sitting in traffic or going below 25 MPH

Suggested Improvements

Increase the engine start point to 35 MPH, this would improve my MPG a great deal without much change in battery life.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Satisfied with the hybrid

Written by: stormpeakco on 05/13/2008

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We purchased this vehicle primarily to become more carbon neutral. This vehicle has far exceeded our expectations for us and our two large dogs. We have achieved an average of 29.75 miles for the life of the car (22K) and that includes residing at 7000', winters in the snow country with soft snow tires and CO winter gasoline. A recent trip to the west coast yielded 31.5mpg. Sure it is gutless but it is supposed to be with only a four banger and runs on regular, not jet fuel. Thus far it is the ideal primary vehicle

Favorite Features

Green, green and more green and feel good driving it when I can't ride my bicycle. Driving to Denver on I-70 from the Eisenhower tunnel it's all downhill and one can achieve a completely green screen on the mpg meter (>50 mpg) for 15 minutes of near coasting.

Suggested Improvements

A little more sound proofing would be nice.

9 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Love my Hybrid Escape!

Written by: LGIII on 05/12/2008

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Love the mileage, 33 mpg average, and the 10,000 oil change intervals. Would certainly buy another in the future. Ford quality has improved a lot since my first Ford in 1972. My last Ford was a 1994 Explorer I bought new and had 189,000 miles on it when I sold it.

Favorite Features

Love the in dash navigation system

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Major Repair After 41K

Written by: matt2007 on 11/20/2007

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

After 1 year, 9 months (41,200 miles) and two recall notices, my 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid AWD had a transfer case break. The transfer case was back ordered for at least two weeks. In my opinion, a all wheel drive SUV should not have major repairs with just 41,000 miles. This is especially true because Ford has had a reputation of good and sturdy cars. I had been very please with the other 5 Ford Vehicles that I have owned (3 new, 2 used). I encourage anyone to consider very carefully my experience before they purchase a Ford.

Favorite Features

Fog lamps. The hybrid nature and fuel economy (27mpg actual)

Suggested Improvements

Build a drive train to match the vehicle.

8 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Mine lost it's breaks 4 times

Written by: IHATEFORD on 09/26/2007

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

My escape hybrid has had complete break failure 4 time in two years and 3 times in 3 weeks. Ford can't figure out what the problem is. They replaced the master breaking cylinder and while road testing the car, the breaks went out on them. Ford headquarters also takes no responsibility for the breaks and has basically told me I had to deal with the problem. I asked that they put in writing that the car is safe to drive when the repairs are finally done, but they refuse to do that saying it would be fraudulent since Ford doesn't do the repairs, Ford "dealers" do the repairs.

Favorite Features

Nice car when it runs

Suggested Improvements

Breaks that work. Cup holders that are next to each other rather than front and back. GPS system that doesn't require changing the disks (only one I've seen that works this way).

4 out 7 people found this review helpful

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