Used 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid Consumer Reviews

Really disappointed

SORRY I got it. Noisy, poor dash lights, minimal defrost and heating in north, faulty disc player, electric glitch (lost power steering 3 times), and mileage OVER ESTIMATED! At best I get 27 miles at 40 mph. Also because I wanted leather seats, I had to buy GPS which was not needed, It was part of the package offered.

Hybrid adventure

Bought my Ford Escape Hybrid in December 2005 - including luxury package (because I wanted the sunroof). Excellent comfort for me (6"5" - 240lb) and fun to drive - I regularly get 33 mpg around town. Less mpg (28 - 29) on highway, especially when pulling my small boat when it can be as low as 24. However, to get good mileage around town you have to drive carefully - no gunning away from lights etc.

Ford Escape Hybrid Fun To Own

I have owned the Escape for almost 14 months. It is fun to drive and is great on gas. I have had no problems and am happy that I am driving a Green vehicle.

'06 Escape at 7700 miles

This is the only vehicle I know of that exceeds the EPA window posting. If one modifies driving habits, the 4X4 Escape will return 34 MPG hwy and 31 MPG city. Fit and finish better that my neighbor's Honda Accord. Ride unexpectedly good for size of vehicle. Very quiet except when 2.3 is revving, and only then is engine noticeable. Transition from electric to gas is almost seamless. Cruise control on long trips returns better MPG than not using cruise control. Nits are lack of steering wheel adjustments & unlighted cruise controls.

so so savings on fuel

Not told by salesman that A/C didn't work while car stopped or running on battery, must start engine by switching AC to Max. No fuel savings if engine needs to run so that the AC will work. No cargo net.

Beware: "Intelligent 4WD" in Hybrids

I bought this model for its advertised capability of the Intelligent 4wd system, and was surprised to find out that I was unable to back up over a 6 inch rock. It turns out that the electric engine alone is engaged in reverse - severely limiting power and acceleration in. I highly discourage you from buying this vehicle if reverse is important to you (i.e. driving off-road at all or parking on a sloped driveway). I complained to Ford, and was told that nothing could be done. Aside from this issue, the mileage was as advertised, and I had no other problems. However, I bought the 4wd model to be confident in modest off-road conditions.

BILL'S HYBRID ESCAPE

While driving my Escape hybrid 4x4 without A/C on, I was getting 27.4 mpg. Not too bad (for a combination highway/city) I think, however, not close to the 33 mpg as indicated on the sticker. The hybrid has a lot of zip off the line, but I must back off on the gas pedal while the cvt tranny moves up to a higher speed (not a big deal though). It's fun to drive. Parallel parking is a breeze.

This Vehicle Stinks

When I purchased this Ford Escape I was excited and went out on my ranch and got stuck in 3" of snow on a dirt road. That isn't the only time I got stuck in snow either; 2 more times in parking lots. First time up skiing and the second at a mall where a Cadillac pulled me out of my parking spot. The arm rest on the door of the driver's side is made of plastic; after driving a few days my elbow hurt and I could not figure out why. Then I realized that it was because of this arm rest.

Decent car, expected better fuel economy

Would recommend to anyone

I really enjoy owning this vehicle. It has great acceleration when needed and a very smooth ride. The interior has clean lines and is very comfortable. The gauges are easy to read. The gasoline savings in downtown traffic are great.

Todd's Hybrid

I am so happy I spent the extra money on this car. It rides nice, is comfortable, and gets good gas mileage while it helps to save the air quality. The only issue I have it the steering wheel should cascade as for my long legs I have to stretch to reach the steering wheel. This was not a problem in my Sport-Trac or Ranger XLT. I highly recommend it though!

Never Thought

Walked into dealer with no thoughts of this kind of vehicle on my mind. Was attracted to body style with the new black paint. Then thought about the price of gas and I was sold! Hybrid engine works great and hardly gives notice that it's anything other than a regular internal combustion engine.

This is number 2

My wife loves this vehicle. Drives and rides nice. Economy 27 to 30 at all times. We live in the rural area with hills and various conditions. It has no lack of power. This is the second one that we have had. The 4 wheel drive is great, even on ice and snow covered roads. The 1st Escape we put 7500 miles on with no dealer service. It only had an oil service at 7000 miles. The present one has 1500 miles with no squawks. We upgraded to the 2006 because of the heated seats and sunroof. There is no difference between a 2005 and a 2006, only the option list. They both drive and handle the same.

2005 Escape Hybrid

I own the 2005 Escape Hybrid. I've owned it now for 3 months and have nothing but good things to say about it. I've averaged approximately 27.8 miles per gallon over 8,050 miles, I drive approximately 36,000 miles a year. I routinely hit the 30 miles per gallon mark in the on-board computer. I have never owned a vehicle that has performed at this level new or used, considering that there isn't a SUV out there that gets anything close to the mileage this vehicle gets. If I had one complaint, it's the slight hesitation I get when accelerating real hard from a dead stop. Other than that, it a blast!

Great Little SUV

Living on a dirt road, I needed an SUV. Living out of town, I needed good mileage. I bought a base-model Escape Hybrid and I got both. This thing is getting a combined city/hwy mileage of over 30mpg. Amazing for an SUV. Even the base model comes with lots of features. 6-disc CD changer (with MP3 capability), electric driver seat, 110V power outlet and all sorts of little bells and whistles. I only got about 26 mpg on a long trip for 800 miles, but the city mileage in the high 30's made up for that very quickly.

Hybrids in ... Gas guzzlers out

We took a chance; had only Hondas and Toyotas since '82. The Highlander w/4WD and Navigation system was $12k more. We get 25mpg hwy+city with the A/C on max (ie: the gas engine is always on). Seats are not deep enough for a tall person, but headroom is excellent. Tires are really noisy and wander on grooved pavement. Make copies of the navigation CDs -- we couldn't find a source to buy or update them separately -- a full set is $200! Safety package is a must have. Wish it had an option for steering wheel radio/CD controls. Time will tell if Ford can come close to Toyota's reliability.

Great little SUV

It runs down the road very well: it is comfortable and handles well. It takes a while to get accustomed to using the electric side of the power equation. It makes one very aware of the energy cost of driving at high rates of speed. By using the data provided by the car one can achieve maximum mileage per gallon of gas.

Love this SUV!

When we took the Escape out on the road for a test ride, we knew it was ours. It's very roomy, has lots of cargo space, and you can't beat the mileage. It also has a lot of safety features my wife and I were looking for as we're trying to have a baby. Definitely worth cruising into the dealership to check out.

Ford Escape Hybrid

Really a great vehicle, good performance, nice size, gets the mileage we expected (30.0 mpg in both city and highway w/AWD), fun to drive, excellent quality.

SUV With Economy Of Sedan

We wanted a large vehicle for a family of four but also wanted the economy of a small vehicle and the peace of mind of low emissions. The Escape Hybrid meets all of these requirements. With the exception of low quality interior cloth, it is a well sealed, very comfortable roomy ride for my 6 foot 4 inch frame. With the spacious second row seating and huge cargo area we can easily accommodate our family for comfortable road trips. Current average MPG is 29.5, as indicated on the fuel economy/navigation screen. My only concern is all the computer and electric motor technology. Repairs are likely to be expensive if/when needed, but the extended warranty helps with overall piece of mind.

Fuel Efficient

I traded in my 2001 XLT explorer for the 05 Escape Hybrid. I was tired of the high gas prices at $2.49 a gallon. I was spending $80.00 a week on gas to commute to work and back home with my Explorer. I bought my Escape Memorial weekend. The Escape doesn't have the power like my Explorer did, but I wanted something that was fuel efficient. So there are trade offs. Other than that, I love my Escape hybrid.

Great Vehicle

We did a lot of research before spending the money, and can't say anything negative about the Escape. Feels good to drive a clean car. Comfortable ride, handles well. Plenty of room for one Great Dane in the back seat, plenty of leg room for people too. Feels substantial and solid. Looks gorgeous in black. High crash test ratings or wouldn't have purchased. Plenty of power when you need it. Didn't get the navigation system, so not positive what mileage has been. Nothing like the Explorer it replaced though, this sips gas. Seems to be almost silent at slow speeds, so be careful of pedestrians. A good match for our needs and I have been wholeheartedly recommending it.

Great for Atlanta city driving!

Hybrids are great for the gridlocked, rush-hour driving in a city like Atlanta. Gas mileage is outstanding in these conditions. I bought this car off the lot, and did NOT pay the markup prices they were trying for. At the same time, in these times of high gasoline cost, don't expect the dealer to drop much if any below MSRP; just don't pay for the garbage "features". The Escape Hybrid has adequate roominess, and is surprisingly roomy for a tall guy like myself (6'4") behind the wheel.

I Love This Car!

Two weeks ago, I traded in my 2003 Mazda Tribute and purchased a 2006 Ford Escape AWD Hybrid. I've never posted a review of anything I've purchased before, but I just had to do so this time around because I LOVE THIS CAR! It handles great, is very comfortable and is averaging 25-28 mph in the rural country driving I do - where my Mazda Tribute had averaged about 20 mpg (city driving would provide even higher mpg for this vehicle). I feel great knowing that I've purchased a car with the new hybrid technology that will allow us to decrease our dependency on an ever dissipating oil supply.

Good Buy, Good SUV

4,000 miles in less than three months, very happy with it. Wanted a replacement for my Explorer with better fuel economy/greener. Made the move just before gas prices went nuts, found that some Houston dealers had them on the lots. Bought one with leather seats; my wife liked the ride despite the leather. Very happy with performance, just short of 30 MPG despite mostly highway miles. The A/C not running under battery is a pain, but the gas engine only stays off for more than a couple miles if you are in very slow traffic. Challenging to get above 20 MPH on the electric motor, requires a subtle touch on the pedal. Safety package/side airbags a pleasant surprise.

my new hybrid

Really glad we got it. Good for the environment (eventually we will all have hybrids). Wanted an suv but not the lousy mileage. Getting about 29-30 mpg in the first 1500 miles (pretty much all city stuff). The technology is unbelievable. Could only get $1k off sticker but even that was good comparatively. No hesitation about getting this car.

Pleasure

Very satisfactory vehicle. Drove it cross country Baltimore to Steamboat to Park City to Boise and back averaging 70mph and got approximately 27mpg. No problems in the Rockies with always available power to climb and pass going up grades of 7 percent. In the high altitudes with no air resistance I was getting nearly 45mpg with the car fully loaded. Sound system is boomy with the plastic door panel mountings and no input for iPods or XM/Sirius radios. The NAV system is OK but GARMINS are MUCH better and more flexible. I know have 11,000 miles and everything appears to be in good shape.

Fun "drives different" SUV

I wanted 4WD but with electric hybrid performance, and this is what Ford Escape delivers. A fun vehicle to drive, great pick-up, but must be easy on the revs to get higher mpg; watch the in-dash screen, which becomes a kind of game of "drive different" for best economy. Really like this new SUV, meets all my expectations.

We've parked the other cars

I'd driven over a dozen Escapes as rental vehicles while on business travel and never had one that wasn't tight, solid and reliable. Ordered an AWD version after driving a 2wd. We got an outstanding vehicle! We use the Hybrid for almost everything and living 35 miles from the city, we've racked up 10,000 miles in 5 months. The car eats up the awful country roads and is smooth and quiet on the highway.

Quality hybrid, comfortable drive.

I originally drove a Ford Explorer that received an amazing 12 miles per gallon. Driving the Escape hybrid I've been able to achieve 30 miles per gallon. Learning to drive the hybrid for maximum efficiency takes some time but the reward is worth the effort. The interior is clean but has some quirks, the plastics are not as nice as the new Explorer. Overall, it still is very comfortable. An optional Edison AC plug is really cool, and lets you plug in most anything. Beware of some dealerships having a 'Limited Availability Option'...look for family owned dealerships...a lot friendlier and easier to deal with.

Good Hybrid, but Room for Improvement

I traded in my 2001 Prius for a bit more room and to get "up" above the traffic a bit. Found the Escape to be a pretty good replacement (though about 15 mpg lower than the Prius). The Escape performs beautifully and rides well. I do feel a bit let down by the interior though. I got the Premium Package (recommended) to at least get some comfort items, but it is a far cry from the interior on my Eddie Bauer Expedition as far as useful design and layout. Doesn't have adequate storage for misc items in the driver area -- just the arm console.

Escape Hybrid

Living in the mountains of Colorado I was a bit skeptical about the Hybrid. After driving it through a 12,000' mountain pass I was sold on it. It accelerates better than some previous V-6 vehicles that I've owned. The fuel economy so far has been very good; we are averaging over 32 mpg and it would probably be better if I didn't have a lead foot when driving it. The changeover between electric and gas is seamless. The interior has good room and being 6'5" I fit better in the Escape than I do the Explorer, another good selling point for me. We keep cars until they fall apart and the additional warranty on the Hybrid specific items gives us an additional sense of security. We love it!

Ford Escape

Handling, gas mileage is great.

Auto for the near future

Loved the 2002 Escape so much my wife said we should get the Hybrid version. Stands a little taller, lacks the 12 volt outlet in the back, but is much quieter than old version. Perforated leather is softer and seats more comfortable. Drivetrain performance is not noticeably different than the V6 2002 we are used to. Sound system is good and the navigation is a neat plus when driving to unfamiliar destinations. No engine noise at stops and speeds under 30 is something we have gotten used to quickly. Electric power steering gives reasonable road feedback but not the same as traditional. When accelerating the engine spools up quickly, the vehicles moves smoothly without any gear changing.

Best Hybrid around for SUV use

I needed an SUV for hauling and this model is excellent with plenty of storage in the back seat and trunk area. Very peppy on the road and the smooth transition from battery to gas is not felt at all. Very happy owner! I drive lots of freeway traffic and like the way the car handles at all speeds.

Solid Ford Escape Hybrid (4WD)

Purchased about one week ago. Dealer was running "special" with $2,500 off sticker. Runs great -- got fully loaded with sunroof/navigation system/leather. Did not really need 4 wheel drive but keep in mind not a huge selection at most dealers (believe I had 8 to choose from -- many dealers in Orange County only have one or two). Mileage averaging about 28 mpg overall compared to claim of low-mid 30's. Quick acceleration and happy with tire selection by Ford - Continental - give a smooth ride.

I got the lemon

I bought the car 8/31. The ABS brakes went out on 9/3. Dealer had car till 9/7. I drove it one more day and now 9/9, it's back at the dealership for same problem. The 3 days I drove it was very nice. My challenge was running entirely on the electric motor. I bought the cheapest model and got it for $1000 under MSRP. "Never pay sticker or mark up!"

Happy with my Hybrid

A previous owner of a 02 XLT midnight which i loved, it was not hard for me to trade in for a fully loaded hybrid. I love the nav system and computer and the ride is so smooth and quite with the cvt tranny. Just all the improvements over my 02 model and the gas mileage was enough for me. It has plenty of power so the v6 is not missed and it doesn't stand out like the Toyota Prius. Don't expect too much in the gas mileage; that all depends on your driving. I'm currently getting 30 with hardly any stop and go traffic in which this vehicles shines. Got a great deal on mine.

Lovin' it!

It is a pleasure to drive. Right after I bought it, I drove it across country and really enjoyed the ride. It handles well and is full of power when you need it. I would like to see a few interior changes. It seems to be a solid and well built, but I would like a few more creature comforts inside. My vehicle before this was a Chrysler Town & Country. Ford should study that interior and copy a few things. I miss not having the temperature and direction display (plus average miles displayed digitally). I wish the rear seats would lift out. I get about 31.8 MPG average. All in all I love it. I plan to buy a second one soon. I rave about to all my friends.

Don't get the navigation system

I love my Escape Hybrid with one major exception. The navigation system is the worst piece of electronic equipment I have ever owned. It will not allow the user to input anything except at an absolute stop. The processor is so slow that the map is unable to move when the vehicle is in motion. Instead, the arrow on the map jumps for a few seconds, then the map jumps to catch up. The user interface is so bad that it is very difficult to even get a destination into the system. The screen is so small that you need a magnifying glass to see it. So much for Ford's motto about "Innovation". The best thing they could do is fire the electronics engineers and buy an aftermarket Alpine system.

Ford Escape Hybrid Evaluation

The car is great. It is responsive and roomy, having all the attributes of my former Jeep without the ugly gas mileage and size. I especially love the display on the dash that tells me what the powertrain is doing at any time. I believe that this hybrid car has made me a much better driver, more conscious of mileage and more conscious of the virtues of driving smoothly and efficiently. But that doesn't mean that it does not have the pep and performance of an all gas powered vehicle. It has plenty. Over all, it is a joy to drive.

excellent

Great little suv. Fun to drive and has plenty of pick up when needed. No horror stories yet.

Best decision I've made to date

I've driven my Escape Hybrid for about a month and a half and for about 2000 miles. I love it! The quiet drive during electric only mode is the greatest. I have had my best mpg just this week. To work at 5 am in the morning I achieved 32.1 mpg. Wow! In the heat of the day going home it is still impressive at 28.9. (in traffic and the A/C on). The navigation system is really cool. My bro-in-law and I have named it/her "Jen". The radio and the CD is awesome. The paint job is excellent and the fit and finish is excellent as well. This "truck" rides like a fine car and handles great. I love the gas reminder telling how much the thing will go before empty. I'd buy again in a heart beat.

Great vehicle

The only drawback is the slow pick-up on a highway entrance ramp. Other than that the vehicle is great. Might be too small for a family but for a couple or single person it's more than enough room. With the cruise control on at highway speeds I get about 35 miles to the gallon. The traffic lights in my hometown are not synchronized so there is a lot of stop and start. And I average 26 mpg around town. Cold weather impacts the mileage too. The Escape Hybrid performs better in the warmer weather. Highly recommended.

I love my SUV

I love the fact that I am in a Green car and it's an SUV. It runs great. I bought the 4wd with all the goodies possible; both interior and exterior look good to me. Only a few complaints, the mileage is not near what was expected. I actually do very little driving, mostly around town with lots of stops, I am getting about 25-27 mpg. The NAV system works really easily compared to my other car, however it will not allow you to program while driving. I know that is a safety feature but a passenger can program too! Last complaint is that the cruise control buttons should light up to make it easier to set at night. Other than that, love my car and glad I bought it.

Satisfied Customer

Bought only a couple of weeks ago but it has been a dream so far. Smooth, quiet ride but still feels enough like a truck. Good acceleration even when you're already doing 60. Got it fully loaded (premium and safety packages with the moonroof). Good sound system and so much cargo space. Plenty of leg room in the back. Easy to use LATCH system for car seats. Tinted windows make window shades for kids unnecessary. Comfortable seats. I am one very satisfied customer.

fun to drive

The Escape is fun to drive, easy to get in and out of, and gets great fuel economy. I would recommend to anyone. I can choose to drive with quick performance or drive for maximum fuel economy. I have over 10k miles and usually get 34 mpg on a tank. Range for me has been 28 to 38 mpg.

Escape Hybrid best bet for SUV!

Have found the switching between gas and electric to be seamless. Real fun to drive and with the fuel economy shown I find I am challenging myself to keep it on electric as long as possible. Got it at an average fuel economy of 33.7 MPG after a month and 2000 miles of use.

Escape Hybrid

The gas mileage of this vehicle is incredible for an SUV. And the heated leather seats feel great on my bum back. The NAV system is incredible. I can say nothing bad about this vehicle. It's perfect!

Great little hybrid

Have only owned this vehicle for 4 months and 4,000 miles, but so far we are very satisfied. After reading a lot recently about inflated MPG ratings, I was a little worried, but so far we are getting 30-31 mpg which is exactly what it's supposed to get! We love the way it handles and accelerates and the display almost teaches you how to drive for maximum MPG. The nav system is great and the dogs love the room in back. We've gone on one road trip and have used the AWD a few times already with great results. Ford really should build more of these vehicles and do a lot better job of advertising, many people don't even know they exist and some still think they have to be plugged in at night!