2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Published 02/10/2005

Sport utility vehicles have gotten a bad rap from many pundits in the industry. But the same industry professionals that disrespect SUV's in general have now named the Ford Escape Hybrid the 2005 North American Truck of the Year. This award is significant because a panel of 50 top automotive journalists at the recent Detroit Auto Show who review new vehicles for a living chose this vehicle from among 12 eligible trucks as this year's winner.

I personally have not been a fan of compact sport utility vehicles for the general public. Many people buy sport utility vehicle with absolutely no intention of leaving the pavement. Yet because they want a vehicle that can go off road, increased road clearance and upright seating make for an unstable top-heavy stance. A much greater level of caution and experience is required to drive most sport utility vehicles safely. Because SUV's as a class use more fuel and have less safety features than comparable sedans I feel that sport utility vehicles are the wrong choice for most drivers.

However, it is wrong to paint the drivers of any class of vehicle with the broad brush of generalities. Some people think that SUV's and environmentally friendly drivers are a contradiction of terms, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Many sport utility owners actually use their vehicles. They are an active group, enjoying camping, hunting, fishing, and nature up close and personal. To these active lives a sport utility vehicle is desired because of function rather than fashion. True outdoors lovers are environmentally aware. Combining the capability of an all wheel drive sport utility vehicle and the environmentally responsible nature of hybrid technology is complementary rather than contridictory.

Built right here in Kansas City by your friends and neighbors, the 2005 Ford Hybrid is the worlds first hybrid four wheel drive sport utility vehicle. It is deserving of the 2005 North American Truck of the Year award.

Hybrid technology is not that hard to understand. In addition to the gasoline engine, an advanced electrical system harnesses and stores energy from when you slow down or brake. Light or limited hybrids simply shut down the gasoline engine at idle saving some fuel and providing alternative power sources. Full hybrids like the 2005 Ford Escape use these large rechargeable batteries to actually power additional electric motors during acceleration. The Ford Escape Hybrid system automatically switches between electric and gasoline power as needed. Regenerated power is captured from the energy lost in deceleration so there is never a need to plug the vehicle into external electric sources.

Electric motors are most efficient developing torque and moving the vehicle from a dead stop so the real increase in fuel economy comes in stop and go traffic. Ford claims that the Escape hybrid "provides more than 75% fuel economy improvement in city driving, compared with a conventionally V-6 powered Escape."

The 2.3 Liter gasoline engine produces 133 horsepower but is supplemented by a 65-kWatt electric traction motor and a 28-kWatt generator motor. The combined output of both gas and electric motors is similar to 155 horsepower.

I actually liked this version of the Escape. I enjoy the great outdoors and I appreciate Ford providing a sport utility vehicle that is friendly to the environment. In reality if you are going to use the off-road capabilities of a 4X4 SUV, you should be concerned about protecting our environment.

The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid makes sense. By the time you take the tax credit and factor in the fuel savings you may not make a business case for spending the extra cost of the Hybrid, but you will feel good about your decision. The celebrity Chevy Chase recently bought a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. Of course the Ford PR people couldn't resist telling the world that now even Chevy drives a Ford.

Currently there is a waiting list for the Escape Hybrid. If you are lucky enough to purchase one you will agree with the Automotive Journalists at the Detroit Auto Show that the Ford Escape Hybrid is indeed the 2005 North American Truck of the Year

2005 Ford Escape Hybrid

4WD sport utility vehicle
2.3 L I 4 Engine plus Electric Motors

Price as Tested $32,450

33 city 29 Highway EPA rated MPG

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