2007 Ford Escape Hybrid Consumer Reviews

Love it!

Written by: Pirate on 04/06/2008

Vehicle

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I now have over 15,000 miles on our Ford Escape Hybrid (4WD). The average gas mileage is 29.3 MPG which is within the EPA estimate for this SUV. My wife and I love the SUV. I did all the research at the time comparing the Escape with all the other SUV on the market in its class and am more than happy that we purchased the Escape Hybrid. The SUV has been great so far the only exception is I wish the door gaskets would be heavy duty as they can be damaged fairly easily just through normal usage. Both front doors show wear on their door gaskets. The driver's side was replaced several months ago. Other than that it's a great SUV. Actually it's fun to drive. Great SUV. Thanks Ford. Just love it!

Favorite Features

The Escape Hybrid is very reliable, fun to drive & well thought out in its design. Recommend a back up alarm (audible) & a camera (visual) this is money well spent, especially on us older folks (senior citizens). This SUV has been a joy to own and drive My wife and I both love to drive it.

Suggested Improvements

The door gaskets can be damaged very easily, just through normal use. They are poorly fabricated, this had to be a cost savings measure on the part of Ford. Expect to relpace a door gasket every few years. Replaced the driver's side once and am careful getting in & out but still shows wear.

15 out 15 people found this review helpful

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Don't believe the fuel estimate!

Written by: Mark on 10/27/2007

Vehicle

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

The 2007 Hybrid FWD is rated at 36mpg in the city. Don't believe it! Almost all my driving is in the city. I get only 23-24mpg. Even turning the A/C off adds only 1mpg. The Ford dealer said it needed to be driven for 2,000-3,000 miles to be broken in before the mileage would improve. After 5,000 the mileage is still the same. I know you never get the rated mpg, but 30%+ less is fraud!

Favorite Features

Rear window opens.

Suggested Improvements

More interior holders, including cell phone and trash container.

45 out 55 people found this review helpful

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Ford beats Toyota on this one!

Written by: rwolf01 on 10/26/2007

Vehicle

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I've owned Toyotas for 20 years and love my Prius, but Toyota blew it with the Highlander Hybrid. It's too big and the mileage just isn't good enough. In college I swore I'd never own another American car, but the Escape Hybrid turned me around. It's brilliant. With the 4WD it goes anywhere I want including rough dirt roads and deep snow.... and it gets 50% better mileage than my old 4- runner. I've tried to break it. I took it fast and fully loaded up a steep mountain highway to see if I could run the battery down.... no way. It just works. I get an honest 28-30 MPG average with the 4WD. Avoid the factory Nav system. Buy a Garmin instead.

Favorite Features

The price! The sealed battery pack. I can throw scuba gear dripping salt water in the back, and not worry about trashing the battery. Leather seats are nice and have held up well. (The cloth seats looked cheap to me)

Suggested Improvements

Rethink interior details. Little things like adding a sunglass holder make a big difference. A bigger gas tank would be nice. (The mileage goes down on dirt roads. That's not the car's fault, but you gotta plan for it.) Fire Kermit. It's not just for tree huggers... it's a very practical car.

22 out 23 people found this review helpful

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Good Performance, Fun to drive SUV

Written by: Dani B on 07/02/2007

Vehicle

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I love my Ford Escape hybrid, it looks great, is fun to drive, and gets pretty good gas mileage. I usually get around 28-30 mpg, and I am usually in the 28 range. I wish the gas mileage was a little bit better. The inside is nice and it is a solid car.

Favorite Features

Navigation, hybrid technology, heated seats, 6 disc CD changer.

Suggested Improvements

Ford definetly is behind in the stereo department! I would have thought for a high end "top of the line" package, I would have expected at least an mp3 hookup, steering wheel stereo controls, and a bigger navigation screen. So, I am definetly a little bummed that the stereo is a little lame.

28 out 29 people found this review helpful

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Crazy if you don't buy one

Written by: 928s4t on 06/08/2007

Vehicle

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I am getting 35 miles a gallon, yet I am driving a SUV that is comfortable and looks good. It does not get better than that. I am looking to buy a second (used) Escape. No serious complaints, however, it would be nice if you could add the MP3 option to the factory Navigation/radio setup. The 2008 might be quieter, but I like the looks for the 2007 better.

Favorite Features

Great mileage

Suggested Improvements

It would be nice if you could add the MP3 option to the factory Navigation/radio setup.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Great mileage from an SUV

Written by: BikerDan on 05/07/2007

Vehicle

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Bought this to replace a '95 Grand Cherokee and an '04 Grand Prix. Mileage has varied from 26mpg freeway to 33mpg city. Power from a stop is a little weak. Passing power is very capable. Ride is a little bouncy. Handling is a little unstable above 70mph. Below that, it's acceptable for an SUV. Cabin is a little noisy, but no worse than the Grand Prix. Headroom/legroom in both front and back are good. I'm 6'2" and even with the moonroof I still have headroom. 4 wheel disc brakes are very good, but have an odd, nonlinear feel to them. Any doubts about it? Ask for a 24- hour test drive. One day of commuting with it sold me on the Ford Escape Hybrid!

Favorite Features

With gas approaching $3.50/gal here in San Diego, it's almost fun to visit the gas station. Hybrid power status screen and 15 minute running mileage graph let you track how your driving habits affect your mileage. Car doesn't heat up the garage. Holds more cargo than my old Grand Cherokee did.

Suggested Improvements

Move heated seat buttons so the switch and LED are visible. Add a place to store a cell phone and garage door transmitter. Ship NAV system with up-to-date CDs. 2007 model ships with 2005 NAV CDs. Put a light in the glove box. Design open body rear head restraints to improve visibility.

18 out 18 people found this review helpful

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Save gas, save planet and looking good too

Written by: 4Mom 2go on 05/01/2007

Vehicle

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I traded in my '02 Eddie Bauer Explorer for '07 Escape hybrid. I doubled my mileage. Love the NAV system and real time gas mileage gauge. Keeps me from being a lead foot. Avg 31 mpg in mixed driving. The key is no rabbit starts and using less brake and more coasting to get to a red light I like exterior of '07, but the interior of the '08. Buttons and gauges are placed better in the '08. Also '08 has better nooks for interior storage. But'exterior styling of the '07 is more to my taste. The '08 exterior seems like a throwback to the late '90s Explorers, especially with its grille. Overall very pleased with my purchase, including the mpg and acceleration.

Favorite Features

NAV system and real time mpg gauge. Love the purr of the electric engine. Every time I hear it I know that I am saving money at the gas pump.

Suggested Improvements

Better nooks for storage in the interior. Move the heated seats button to the dash. Get rid of the under seat mounted CD changer. Ford did all this in the '08, but then the ruined the exterior with the new front grille.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Fun to drive, worth every penny

Written by: Rob on 05/01/2007

Vehicle

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I just bought this Escape Hybrid a couple weeks ago. Not only is it fun to drive, the mileage more than makes up for the slightly higher price. I get about 30 mpg, but mpg probably depends on how you drive. Faster acceleration means less battery use and lower mpg (my wife used it for a couple days and the onboard calculator showed 27.7 mpg). I have the FWD, so if you get 4WD, expect lower mileage. With the $2,600 tax credit, the hybrid only costs a little more than the 18 to 20 mpg regular Escape.

Favorite Features

Best fuel economy of any SUV out there. Plenty of interior room, fun to drive, and looks great.

Suggested Improvements

A fold down front passenger seat to provide more cargo room. Having a longer warranty period would be nice too.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Terrible fuel mileage

Written by: GI JOE on 04/10/2007

Vehicle

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I average 21 mpg with a best of 24.3. I brought the SUV into Ford and they claim it gets 31.3mpg. I had an independent garage test it and it was 21 mpg. I checked it manually, and the on board PC fuel is on the money, 21 mpg. I have the AWD model and no matter what I do or how much I baby it I cannot get better than 24.3. The engine runs if any accessories are on. The engine also kicks in after 25 mph and right away if any upgrade. Overall I like the Escape hybrid, but I feel cheated after paying an extra $12,000 to be green. Figure 20% less mileage off EPA listing and the nav stinks. Maybe Ford should see what Toyota is offering. I own 2 new Fords but don't think I will again.

Favorite Features

Easy to handle, drives well, comfortable and roomy.

Suggested Improvements

A better NAV system, cd player w/NAV under seat issues. Meter to see battery charge. Better engine performance and most of all better fuel mileage! An auto power up window button.

5 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Happy Hybrid

Written by: gpcpilot on 04/04/2007

Vehicle

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Love my new '07 Escape Hybrid. The "Refire" metallica paint virtually glows, catches admiring looks from folks and doesn't show dirt too readily. I do quite a bit of highway and mixed driving. I'm currently getting about 31.8 mpg, which I'm ecstatic about. That's twice the mileage I got from my 2001 V6 Ranger, the Escape replaced. The trucklette is roomy, pretty comfortable and fairly peppy. I see a long relationship with this little SUV.

Favorite Features

Love how smooth the transmission (CVT) is and how quiet the drivetrain is in most conditions.

Suggested Improvements

Drive-by-wire brakes need better feel and more linearity in action. Radio is okay, but my Ranger's base system sounded better than the Escape's upgraded (not Premium) version. Also radio lacks RDS feature.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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