Ford Escape Hybrid

The Ford Escape hybrid had its day in the limelight, when it debuted in mid-2004 as the first American-made hybrid and the first SUV hybrid.

A SUV that could boast more than 30 mpg was certainly deserving of recognition. Never mind that actual mileage has been running in the mid 20s for many owners, that Ford is only producing 20,000 units, or that the company abandoned its commitment to significantly bump up the fuel economy of its fleet. They were indeed the first to produce a SUV hybrid, and they deserve a pat on the back. And it did win the "Truck of the Year Award" at the 2005 International Auto Show in Detroit.

More than two years later, the SUV hybrid category is starting to get crowded. The Lexus Rx400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid—essentially the same hybrid system in two different skins—have stolen the Escape’s thunder. The Escape lacks the luxury features of the Rx400h, and lacks the power and seating capacity of the Highlander Hybrid.

The motivations of the earliest Escape drivers, especially the fact that the wait for a Toyota SUV hybrid was too long, are no longer relevant. However, if you can look beyond the razzle dazzle of Toyota's marketing and the Lexus luxury features, and if maximizing MPG is your goal—wasn't that supposed to be the point of hybrids in the first place?—then the Escape Hybrid is certainly worth a test drive. Another often overlooked factor is the ability for the Escape to stay in all-electric mode longer than any other hybrid on the road, including the Toyota Prius. Getting into all-electric "stealth" mode, and staying there for long stretches as you weave silently past all those gas-burning engines, is a very satisfying experience.

Other considerations:

• The price tag is likely to be $5,000 less than a Highlander Hybrid, and $20,000 less than the Lexus SUV.
• The Escape nudges out the other two SUVs in terms of fuel economy.
• The 155 horsepower system, while slower than the 270 hp systems, is plenty enough power for our congested roads.
• The towing capacity rating of 1,000 pounds looks weak compared to the 3,500 pound capacity of the others.

Toyota continues to bury Ford in the marketing arena. The Japanese company started manufacturing the Camry hybrid in Kentucky, thereby removing the Escape's remaining distinction as the only American-made hybrid. Forget about that. Bottom line: The Escape Hybrid is fun to drive, and leads the SUV pack in fuel efficiency.