Ford Escape Hybrid

Name: 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
Brand: Ford

EPA MPG: NA

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: NA

Owner Reported MPG:

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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CR's Take

The Escape Hybrid blends the virtues of the conventional Escape with a fuel-saving hybrid drivetrain. This small SUV can crawl along at urban speeds solely on electric power. The gas engine kicks in quickly and can be very noisy when accelerating. Combined, the gas engine and electric motor produce 155 hp. The continuously variable transmission causes the engine to rev high when cruising. The Escape hybrid isn't very agile, and the electric steering is short on precision and feedback. Fuel economy on our 2005 tested model was 26 mpg overall, 7 mpg better than the Escape V6.

2008 SUVs Reliability

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Ford Escape Hybrid

vs. Similar Cars

Ford Escape

Honda CR-V

Honda Element

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Ford vs. Other New Car Brands

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2008 Compact SUVs Ratings

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

$3,025 - $4,075

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Chevrolet Equinox

$2,850 - $3,325

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Dodge Nitro

$3,350 - $4,425

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Ford Escape

$3,025 - $4,075

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Honda CR-V

$5,700 - $6,125

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Honda Element

$5,900 - $6,375

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Hyundai Tucson

$2,775 - $3,875

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Infiniti EX

$4,750 - $5,250

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Jeep Compass

$2,925 - $3,075

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

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2008 Jeep Liberty

$3,025 - $3,775

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Reliability

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2008 Jeep Patriot

$2,825 - $2,975

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

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2008 Kia Sportage

$3,275 - $3,900

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

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2008 Mazda Tribute

$2,875 - $3,375

EPA MPG NA

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2008 Mercury Mariner

$2,975 - $3,550

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Mitsubishi Outlander

$2,975 - $4,075

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Nissan Rogue

$2,925 - $3,025

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Nissan Xterra

$3,575 - $5,100

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Pontiac Torrent

$3,975 - $4,200

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Saturn Vue

$2,800 - $3,650

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Subaru Forester

$3,350 - $5,075

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara

$4,200 - $4,875

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

$9,975 - $11,475

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2008 Toyota RAV4

$5,650 - $6,500

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Compact SUVs Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

4WD, Front

2.3-liter 4 hybrid (155 hp)

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Model History

2020-Present

Current Generation

The Escape Hybrid gets an impressive 34 mpg overall in our tests, and doesn't suffer from the persistent--and annoying--engine vibration that we experienced with models equipped with the standard 1.5-liter three-cylinder. It is available in both front and all-wheel drive configurations. There's also a front-wheel-drive only plug-in hybrid model with a 37-mile electric range available. The Escape's ride has an underlying firmness but is steady and composed. Handling is nimble and secure, but the brake pedal is oversensitive. Controls, including the rotary gear selector, are easy to use. The firm front seats are flat and don't provide much support, but the rear seat is quite roomy when set to the rearmost position. All Escape Hybrids come standard with FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, and RCTW. 2026 is the last production year for the Escape Hybrid.

2008-2019

2008 Redesign Year

The Escape has a roomy interior, spacious rear seat, and good cargo space. Fit and finish is unimpressive and the car is noisy. The V6 provides strong acceleration and 19 mpg overall. The four-cylinder provides adequate acceleration and 21 mpg overall. Both engines are loud. Braking performance is improved. The hybrid drivetrain works well but the ride is unsettled and handling is imprecise. It gets impressive fuel economy. 2009 hybrids got a more powerful 177-hp, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. ESC is standard.

2005-2007

2005 Redesign Year

The Escape Hybrid blends the virtues of the conventional Escape with a fuel-saving hybrid drivetrain. This small SUV can crawl along at urban speeds solely on electric power. The gas engine kicks in quickly and can be very noisy when accelerating. Combined, the gas engine and electric motor produce 155 hp. The continuously variable transmission causes the engine to rev high when cruising. The Escape hybrid is relatively agile, but the electric steering is less precise and lacks the feedback of the conventional model. Fuel economy is 26 mpg overall, 8 mpg better than the Escape V6.