3) Isn't all that electrical stuff just more things to break?

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

It's possible, sure, though Ford warranties all of the Hybrid equipment. For instance, the battery has an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty, as do most of the other electrical components.

4) Does it have a built-in composter, you hippie?
No, though there is plenty of storage space inside if you were so inclined.

5) Hybrids are slow, right?
Not this one. With the gasoline and electric systems applying full power, acceleration is more than adequate for city driving, and passing power is also ample. No longer does having a Hybrid mean taking a hit in the performance category. The Hybrid-equipped Escape with a 4-cylinder engine out-accelerates the standard model with the optional V6. The Continually Variable Transmission has no gears, so it doesn't shift. As a result, there is no pause in the acceleration for gearshifts. It's a little bit like driving a snowmobile.

6) A transmission with no gears?!
You read it right. Your throttle position selects an RPM from the tachometer. Apply full throttle and the revs instantly jump right to the redline, regardless of your speed. The transmission then constantly and seamlessly works its way through a nearly infinite number of gear ratios to provide acceleration. The engine spends less time revving up and down during acceleration, thus saving on fuel and wear and tear.

7) So, how good IS it on gas?

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

In combined city and highway driving, I achieved as good as 7 L/100km, and as poorly as 12 L/100km. My average was closer to the low end-- about 8.5 L/100km. To compare, that's roughly the same mileage as I achieved driving a new Hyundai Accent in the city the week before. Note that your results will vary--depending on climate conditions and the way you use your Hybrid.

8) Isn't it annoying to have the engine switching on and off all of the time?
Not a bit. That's because it does all of its switching in almost total silence without any significant interruption in acceleration or power delivery. It starts up instantly. There is no noisy starter to wait for, just a gentle lump in the power delivery as the system combines the electric power with the mechanical power somewhere underneath your seat. It turns on and off so seamlessly that if you have the radio at any sort of volume, you would be hard pressed to tell whether or not the engine had just fired up or not. Of course, if you are interested, there is a computer display to tell you exactly what the drive systems are doing in real time.

9) If it saves gas, it must be worth the added cost?
The savings in fuel mileage alone will not justify the added cost of the Hybrid. This holds true for Hybrids in general. But then again, Hybrids aren't just used to save on fuel. It's often about being on the cutting

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

edge of something new. Do you remember when DVD players first came out and cost upwards of $800? Or when $3000 would get you a computer with scarcely more computing power than the average wristwatch? If you were one of the first people to buy a DVD player or a Commodore 64 computer, this truck will definitely appeal to you. But it isn't just the technology alone that makes it so appealing. As a 4x4 model, its utility, ruggedness and room make quick work of family duties, while you take comfort in doing your part for the environment.