2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited FWD

Pros

Great fuel economy, navigation, media center

Cons

lots of distraction using controls

Purchased As New

I have had this 'Cute UTE' 6 months now. I've average 32.5 mpg over that time. There have been no problems with anything. The ride remains easy and well controlled. The sound system is really a fine setup. I've loaded perhaps 40 CDs into the Hard Drive and enjoy the use of the system. I really find the navigation system a plus. I like keying in a destination address and letting the computer direct me to my destination ... my hands and mind are on my driving the entire distance. I have never ended up in the wrong place. I think it a great system.

I've had no problems with the breaking, the steering, roll, noise, or any other item for that matter. I had a 1991 Ford Tempo that had the 2.3 liter engine, the one bored out to make this 2.5 liter engine in the Escort. Now it was noisey ... lots of engine noise on acceleration. Maybe that influences my opinion that the engine noise of the 2009 Escape Hybrid is a non-issue for me.

The only issue I have with this 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid is the distractions I experience by taking my eyes off the road to check the map, set the cruise control (by use of the cruise control and gas pedal maipulation I can get cruise control at 40 mph in full electric mode), using the voice recognition system, or using any aspect of the navigation system. Maybe this distraction will diminish with time and useage. However it all still really fascinates me.

Ford really put together a great package with this 2009 SUV Hybrid....read morehide

Pros

Good Looking, luxurious, great audio sounds, loaded, hot!

Cons

Coat hangars very weak and lame. Noisy engine, but peppy.

Purchased As New

I have owned this vehicle for 2 months and have continued to have extended new car bonding. I have 2500 miles so far. I love the Sirius XM radio, the sync controls on the steering wheel, the navigation system, the ambiance lighting, the leather seats, moon roof, power, economy, and comfort.
One glitch: At 1300 miles the "check Brake System" light kept coming on and it took a Ford Field Engineer to locate the "loose ground wire" and make the repair. Vehicle in shop for 4 days and fix not known to shop techs. Frustrating until repair completed. Hybrid performance corrupted when this light comes on because the system "thinks" the brake recharge of the 300Volt battery for the motor is out, and so the hybrid will not operate properly using motor only for maximum economy with this condition....read morehide

Pros

Great Fuel Economy! Sync System is wonderful!

Cons

Ford needs to advertise this more!

Purchased As New

I have had this car since August and it just gets better everyday!
My current MPG is 36.2 and this has been consistent over the past three months. The sound system/navigation system is wonderful. The ride is smooth and often quiet. Getting $3000 back on my taxes was an extra plus! I am very pleased with my purchase of this car....read morehide

Pros

Fuel economy, smooth ride, interior attributes

Cons

I have found only one: when opening the car charger, the plastic housing pulls open too much.

Purchased As New

I have owned american and foreign made autos, two/four doors, sedans, sportscars and SUV's. I down sized to this Escape Hybrid last year before gas prices went to $4 per gallon and it was the best thing I ever did. This car is fabulous on gas, (I regularly get 34-35 miles per gallon), and I drive 100 miles per day in my commute! On longer drives to SoCal, I still got 30-31 mpg. Can't beat these numbers and have all the attributes this car has!

The interior is very nice and solid with leather seats, I love having a sun roof to enjoy the nice sunshine in good weather and I love the iPod dock and sirius radio. The controls are double sided so my passengers control their own environment. The navigation system has come in handy many times as well.

I scuba dive so this smaller SUV still allows me to load up two or three divers equipment and still have space for me and my dive buddies to trek wherever we need to go to dive. You can't go wrong with this little green machine!...read morehide

Pros

Looks, mpg, performance, quiet operation*,nice stereo & interior

Cons

noisy motor when accelerating*, a little top heavy, poor sun visors

Purchased As New

Had it 2 months and really like it for the most part. 32 mpg on the last tank-mostly city driving! Our same size Honda CRV gets 23 in similar driving. Mileage tips: I use the cruise control and force it into elec mode at 40 mph and under by pushing the cruise decel button. I also use the a/c in econ mode.

Now I am going to be real picky-here are 5 shortcomings. If Ford fixes these the FEH will be perfect.
1. Noisy motor when accelerating. Not a good noise either-like a sewing machine on steroids.
2. Leans more in tight corners than my big suv did, I think the FEH would do better if the tires or the car were a little wider.
3. Poor sun visors-they need extenders like some GM cars have. Darker driver and front passenger window tint helps some.
4. No bump protectors on the sides, I fear what will happen to my doors in parking lots.
5. Cannot see where to put the ignition key well at night. Hey Ford check out the crv here.

I would give the car a perfect 10 if not for these issues.

There are a lot of good things. It is surprisingly powerful, real quiet on the road when you get to speed and very stable in high winds. No mechanical problems so far and everything basically works exactly as it should. Way more room inside than expected. I don't mind paying the extra money to Ford instead of OPEC and the like. Those in the oil business fear that all will buy vehicles with this type of outstanding technology. Imagine what these vehicles will be like in 5 years....read morehide

Pros

Great fuel economy, great navigation system, great cell phone interface, great multimedia

Cons

I have found no cons yet.

This SUV is built on the Ford Ranger truck platform ... it is a compact truck. Even so, the ride is quite pleasant, especially the elevated ride.

The gasoline mileage is remarkable for an SUV ... 41 mpg in town ... this is without A/C. Many folks complain that the Ford Escape Hybrid shuts off the A/C when the Internal Combustion Ingine (ICE) shuts off.

This is true. Without the ICE recharging the battery, the A/C compressor, which uses a lot of power, would drain the battery in short order. As I understand it, if the ICE fails, this compact SUV will run about 2 minutes on electric battery power. High consumption motors and such are not made for battery operation.

As with most things in life the goal is to try to achieve a comfortable balance, If it gets really uncomfortable, I guess I gotta pay the piper and turn on the A/C in battery mode. So far I have chosen to maximize fuel economy and have no complaints.

There really is nothing about this Ford Escape Hybrid Limited that I am unhappy with, ecept maybe the cost of a car these days, but then that has to do with the worth of the USD more than anything else....read morehide

Pros

Nav system, mpg, cargo room, comfortable seats

Cons

running board height awkward

Move down in size from F150 super crew but up in mpg and so far very happy about both. Family of four and all loving the room and new neat tech stuff- sync etc. This is not a car to go zooming around town in. Defeats the entire hybrid benefits. Does take some patience, slower take-offs, in order to take advantage of the mpg. So if you have to race to the next light, this is the wrong vehicle. Get just Escape V6 instead. Hybrid is still a fun car to drive....read morehide