The Navigation system was difficult to evaluate as it never properly worked. It seemed as though the CD was damaged and/or the Satellite hook-up was not functional. What I can say is that the screen would regularly freeze and reboot itself for no apparent reason. This would occur while the display would indicate real-time fuel consumption for example. I am hoping this was an isolated problem.

Technical

There is only one engine available for the Escape Hybrid. It is an Atkinson Cycle 2.3L inline 4 cylinder mated to the electric motors. The engine still develops 133 hp and has a total of 155 hp gas-electric. There is a large battery pack located under the cargo floor where the electricity is stored. These batteries are recharged through regenerative braking (this means it never has to be plugged-in). The transmission is a Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT meaning that there are no gears. The Escape is available in either FWD or AWD form.

The Atkinson cycle engine is a process by which combustion is more efficient. The downside is that it creates less power. The intake valve remains open longer thus reducing the compression ratio but allowing a higher expansion ratio or a more complete combustion of the air and fuel mixture. The Toyota Prius is another example of a Hybrid that uses this type of gas engine. For those that are interested or are just plain car buffs, a supercharged Atkinson engine is known as Miller cycle, like Mazda's Millenia from a few years back.

On the road

Under soft acceleration, only the electric motor moves the truck forward. Up to about 40 km/h, there is an eerie silence - no noise at all as the vehicle moves forward. Ford says that the combination gas-electric creates V6-like acceleration. Well, I would not say V6- like, but it certainly is quick for a Hybrid. Acceleration and passing are not a concern when compared to other smaller Hybrids.

The ride is surprisingly smooth and well behaved. Thanks to the fact that the battery pack is located under the cargo floor, weight distribution is more even over the front and rear wheels. Handling becomes more neutral and composed. This is the best riding Escape / Tribute I have ever driven. The electric power steering is very light at low speeds but it firms up nicely the faster you go. The brake pedal is quite hard, a little too hard actually because you get no feedback from the pedal.

Here is a breakdown of how the Hybrid system works in the Escape. When the truck is first started, the gas engine comes to life. If the vents are in the defrost position even if the gas engine is warm, the gas motor will continue to function. Once the engine is completely warmed up, it will begin shutting itself off when coming to a stop. This will often happen when coasting at speeds 40 km/h and below. When taking off from a traffic light or a stop sign, only the electric motor will motivate the truck. This will be the case up to 40 km/h and at this point, the gas engine will start up. All this occurs seamlessly and without driver input.

Natural Resources Canada rates the Escape Hybrid as consuming an average of 7.3L of fuel per 100 km. The best average I could muster was 9.0L per 100 km and the highest it went was 11.8L per 100 km. My combined median of 9.9L per 100 km is probably closer to reality.