2005 Ford Escape Hybrid User Reviews

Pros

Like the Appearance and space for a small SUV. Performance same as any car

Cons

Ride is rough. Never got more than 28 mpg. More like 25 mpg. gas tank too small.

Think it is terrible that you have to pay $3000 more for the Hybrid. Car makers should be helping the economy and saving of gas. Instead the higher cost discourages people from buying a Hybrid.

Pros

any one can write a review

Cons

haven't been in one yet

I find this quite amusing. One report from someone said they've driven their Ford Escape 11,000 miles and purchased it the end of November of 2005. Wow! How do you do that when it is October 2005.

Pros

Fuel economy, clean emissions, cargo space, smooth ride, fair off-road ability

Cons

LED displays difficult to read, expensive

I started investigating hybrids. I needed a city car (goodbye Insight and Civic) and cargo space for highway travel (goodbye Prius). That left Escape!

I figured I paid $10K more than I would have for a nonhybrid because I would not have ordered a lot of features which are standard on the Escape Hybrid. Still, my average of 31.2 highway and 37.3 city is better than the EPA estimates.

I have been a severe critic of the environmentally destructive offereings of the auto companies (and Ford is historically the worst!). When the companies began to offer some "sane" options, it was time for me to put my money where my mouth is. From this standpoint alone, the Escape Hybrid was worth it.

That said, I have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the vehicle and with the support the dealership and Ford Motor Company have provided....read morehide

Pros

Very Quiet ride! Nice style. Ample storage for a small SUV.

Cons

Not too many options, I wish the dash had a few more gauges and a few more bells and whistles.

The Fuel economy is pretty good (avg. 29 to 32), but takes a little time to learn how to get the best mileage. It is an amazingly quiet ride and almost eerie when you slow down and the gas engine shuts off. I commute mostly highway driving and do about 30 mi. When I am driving locally the mpg. is a little better. It has a decent amount of storage in the back, and I have not had any problem hauling 3 kids, the wife + groceries in the back. Over all I am very satisfied especially with the higher gas prices....read morehide

Pros

Overall good vehicle, better on power than I expected.

Cons

Higher price makes it not as available to everyone as it should be.

I like this SUV. You get better and better mileage as you get used to how to drive it to maximize mileage. They advertise 36 city and 31 highway. I am averaging 33.4 mpg with a combo of both. Power is there if you need it and I can cruise at 75 on the freeway with no strain at all. There is plenty of storage and passenger room. The cost is the only drawback I have found being a comparable Escape without hybrid is almost 10k less. You also don't qualify for employee discounting on this vehicle which I thought was ridiculous. They should be encouraging sales of these hybrids and not pricing people away from them. Overall though I am very happy with this car. It takes about $30 to fill up and I can go almost 475 miles between fill ups which is not to shabby....read morehide

Pros

Good concept but...

Cons

Must run on gas for cold ac

We researched this vehicle and found that if you run on max ac the vehicle only runs on gas. We live in south florida and use ac virtually every day of the year. We had a ford sales rep sit in the car and run on econ ac and she said it never got cold, she said it was hot. She said you have to have it on max ac for cold air. The Ford book confirms if you run on max ac you are on gas. We did not buy the vehicle because of this....read morehide

Pros

Good fuel economy, nav system (optional)

Cons

Engine computer seems unable to cope with Phoenix summer heat.

I've noticed that when I have left my Escape Hybrid in the parking lot all day in 110 degree weather and start my commute home, that it takes awhile to shut down the gas engine when stopped or at low speeds. I am trying to see what kind of mileage I can get (yes the AC is turned off so its not a factor.)

Yet in the morning when I start my commute, the gas engine is shut down almost immediately....read morehide

Pros

Comfort, great fuel economy; at 10K miles I get between 29 and 32 MPG

Cons

No overhead map lights

Thought geat things about this car in 7-1/2 months I have owned it. However, yesterday the 4-disc brakes failed completely due to the ABS control unit which blew.

Pros

Better mpg than 2001 Chevy Tahoe 2WD (easy). Decent handling for urban driving. Good headlamps.

Cons

Busy ride on rough road, minimalist vehicle w/ premium price, wet brakes grab just before stop.

The CVT takes some getting used to. Adequate power for urban driving - lacking on-ramp acceleration to limited access highways. Would appreciate automatic headlamps, better audio system and a head rest that doesn't hit me in back of head during normal driving. Tilt steering wheel is odd - doesn't tilt up enough for easy in and out of vehicle. A/C a bit weak in urban setting. Seats are cheap and lack adequate support....read morehide

Pros

Agile for an SUV, gas mileage good (32mpg combined), nice looking

Cons

uncomfortable (cheap hard seats), lots of rattles, interior cheaply made

I now have 5000 miles on my 05 Escape hybrid (FWD). I love the hybrid component and am currently getting about 32 mpg combined driving. But the vehicle seems cheaply made - light weight plastic throughout. Hard seats, very little room in drivers seat (my keys dangle on my knee) and I'm only 5'5". There are lots of rattles from this car, especially coming from the rear battery compartment. The cover over the rear battery is very thin and wants to pop up. The brakes grab when wet. Sometimes during braking the rear battery makes a very loud noise which is startling. I'm 100% behind hybrid technology and its future, but I do not feel this vehicle (for the high cost) is a particularly good value. A brand new car should feel solid and well made and drive seamlessly - my hybrid Escape does not....read morehide