2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD: EPA 33 City, 29 Highway
330 Volt NiMH battery pack
2.3 L I4 Atkindon cycle engine

The Ford Escape Hybrid performs so much like the conventional Ford Escape, that the driver will not be aware of any difference. The hybrid model gets 40 mpg in city stop and go traffic, compared to 24 mpg for the conventional Ford Escape. This 16 mpg savings could translated into 10,000 gallons saved by the time the truck has accumulated 160,000 miles. At gas prices of $3.00 per gallon, a savings of 16 miles per gallon would translate into a savings of 19 cents per mile. That would be $3,800. per year for a driver who puts on 20,000 miles per year.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is capable of going 500 miles on a tank of gas.

The hybrid version costs about $3,500. more than the conventional version.

The "full" hybrid system used in the Escape is based on that developed for the Toyota Prius. It is basically an electric car with a gasoline backup. The truck will run on electric power in stop-and-go traffic, and revert to gasoline power when pulling a trailer. The batteries regenerate when the vehicle brakes or slows down. They also recharge constantly when the gasoline power is operational. Like the conventional Escape, the hybrid is available in 4WD or Front Wheel Drive.

The Ford Duratec 2.3L 4-cylinder gasoline engine in combination with the 70KW electric motor, perform like a conventional V6. The gas engine starts almost instantly (400 milliseconds) when needed. The driver need not worry about the state of battery charge, as the system monitors the battery automatically and keeps the charge at the required level.

The truck can be driven up to 25 miles on electric power alone.

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid