How much are you willing to spend to save on gas?
That's the question presented by the Big Three hybrids in the compact crossover class, the Honda CR-V hybrid, the Toyota RAV4 Prime (Toyota-speak for a hybrid you can plug in) and the Ford Escape plug-in hybrid, which is the focus of this write-up.
They use less gas than their gas engine-only counterparts. But they all cost more to buy, too.
The Escape plug-in hybrid, for instance, lists for about $12,000 more than a base-trim/nonhybrid Escape. Ford is probably well aware that spending an extra $12,000 just to "save" on gas isn't likely going to sell many buyers. And that's probably why the plug-in hybrid version of the Escape is also loaded with standard options such as heated seats (and steering wheel), a larger 13.2-inch LCD touch screen, adaptive cruise control and a number of additional luxury/tech features.
What It Is
The Escape is Ford's entrant in the compact crossover class.
It's about the same size and generally similar to its main rivals in the class, the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. All three are offered available with hybrid drivetrains, though there are some differences there.
One of them being that, at least for now, Honda no longer offers a hybrid version of its popular small crossover.
Another is that both the Ford and the Toyota (Prime) hybrids are plug-in hybrids, which means their batteries can be recharged without driving them. Also, they can be driven on battery power alone for about 40 miles (37 for the Ford, 42 for the Toyota). The Honda CR-V hybrid was a more basic hybrid that could not be externally powered. It used its batteries and motor to provide supplementary power for acceleration and to power the electrical accessories when the CR-V's engine wasn't running.
It was, however, more likely to save you money as it only cost $32,010 to start and only needed to burn a gallon of gas to go 40 miles in city driving (35 on the highway).
The plug-in version of the Escape starts at $40,500 (versus $28,000 for the base trim nonhybrid version of the Escape).
A Toyota RAV4 Prime (plug-in hybrid) lists for $43,090.
What's New for 2023
Three years after its last major makeover (in 2020), the '23 Escape gets minor front and rear styling tweaks and an upgraded version of Ford's Sync infotainment interface and a larger optional touchscreen (standard in the hybrid).
What's Good
Plug-in hybrid has the potential to save even more gas if you avoid burning it, which you can do by driving it as much (and as far) as you can on battery power alone.
You're not tethered to a cord.
Same general appeal as the regular Escape.
What's Not So Good
It's a spendy way to save money.
Toyota still offers a non-plug-in hybrid version of the RAV4 that costs about $8,000 less ($31,225) and averages the same 40 mpg as the Escape plug-in hybrid.
Significantly less cargo-carrying space than the CR-V.
Under The Hood
The Escape is available with two gas-burning engines, including a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine or a more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. But the plug-in hybrid version is the way to go if you want mileage, power and range — without having to wait.
It comes standard with a larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired up with a plug-in hybrid (battery/motor) drivetrain that has the power to propel the vehicle at normal road speeds for about 37 miles without the gas engine running (and burning). That's how it averages 40 mpg. But because running the engine can recharge the battery as you drive, you don't have to stop except for gas, and doing that doesn't take much time.
This is the chief draw of the plug-in hybrid layout: You can run on electricity, but you're not tethered to a cord.
On The Road
If you like the idea of driving an EV but are leery about the idea of being limited by one, then a plug-in hybrid like this could be the right one.
As long as there's gas in the tank, you will never have to worry about how much range you've got left, or whether there's a place to plug in where you're headed.
If you exceed the range on battery power, engine power automatically replaces it and you keep on going — for the next 500-plus miles.
That's the Escape plug-in's range on gas and electric power. That's how far you can go on a full charge and a full tank. And refilling its 14-gallon tank takes less than five minutes, so you won't have to spend 30-45 minutes waiting for a partial charge at a "fast" charger.
At The Curb
In terms of utility, the Escape — plug-in and otherwise — has a little less cargo-carrying capacity than its main rivals in the class, the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. The Escape has 34.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind its second row and 60.8 cubic feet total with them folded down.
The RAV4 has 37.6 cubic feet and 69.8 cubic feet total, and the Honda has 39.3 cubic feet and a class-leading 76.5 cubic feet in total. But the Honda is not currently available with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, and the Toyota costs several thousand dollars more with its available plug-in drivetrain.
The Rest
The tested plug-in hybrid is for all intents and purposes a luxury crossover. It has a digital instrument cluster, a huge (13.2-inch) secondary LCD touch screen, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, a full-roof panorama sunroof and quilted leather seat covers. It was easy to imagine it as a Lincoln — which isn't hard because Ford sells the Escape as one. And while the Lincoln looks more like a luxury crossover on the outside, the Escape plug-in looks (and feels) pretty close once you're inside.
The Bottom Line
The Escape hybrid's looks may not draw much attention. But if you're looking for something that's not the same as everything else, it's worth taking a look at.
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
View the Ford Escape Hybrid this week.
View Comments