excape hybrid
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
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From: Enjoying the real world.
If she puts that much on it then it will be worth it to get the Escape. Anyone putting less than 20K a year on a vehicle will take 4-5 years to make up the extra cost of a hybrid.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Nope- strictly automatic (continuously-variable tranny, to be exact). Since the gas engine shuts on and off automatically,even while sitting at idle, there's no way it would work with a manual tranny.
Don't let your local dealers tell you that you have to pay sticker or above for a Hybrid. I've got one in stock and we're selling it for BELOW invoice.
Don't let your local dealers tell you that you have to pay sticker or above for a Hybrid. I've got one in stock and we're selling it for BELOW invoice.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Hondas are not full hybrids, but what's called a "mild hybrid." the gas engine runs continuously, while the elctric motor provides extra pwer when needed. Only Ford and Toyota currently build full hybrids.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,921
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From: central TX
The one I drove did shut off the gas engine when you stopped (under the right conditions), but I don't remember if it turned on and off while moving, probably not. I was testing it's acceleration most of the time. Thanks for the info.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
Originally Posted by 1956MarkII
Hondas are not full hybrids, but what's called a "mild hybrid." the gas engine runs continuously, while the elctric motor provides extra pwer when needed. Only Ford and Toyota currently build full hybrids.
Does your Mum do much stop and go driving? Thats where Hybrids really become good. Otherwise I would go for a 2.3l manual Escape.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Originally Posted by BigF350
The Insight is a "full Hybrid" - the rest of Hondas range (Civic, Accord etc.) are half hybrids. But even the Insight won't run soley on Electric power...
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
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From: Marion, VA
Your Mom will be OK with the Hybrid since you don't have mountains to work with. However, it won't get anywhere the projected mileage because Hybrids do better in city driving. In tests I have read, the Escape Hybrid didn't do well in long offroad or mountain situations because the needed electric assist to compensate for the small engine ran the battery down after a while and then you were left with a very small ppowerplant for the size and weight of the vehicle.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,343
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From: Higginsville, MO
Putting on 100K a year indicates to me that she does a lot of highway or interstate driving where the hybrid part wont even come into play since the Escape Hybrid only runs on electric power alone at speeds of 25mph and below. If she drives that much interstate or highway I suggest a 4 cylinder XLS Escape so that you dont pay the extra cost of the Hybrid. The Hybrid only gets the higher mileage in town at low speeds when it can rely solely on the electric motor. The highway mileage for the 2.3L Atkins cycle motor is no better than a standard 2.3L Duratec powered Escape. And since the Hybrid has to haul around the extra weight of the electric motor and the 330V battery pack it is probably worse than a standard XLS Escape.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
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From: Melbourne, Aus
Originally Posted by 1956MarkII
If it can't operate solely on the batteries, then how can they call it a "full hybrid?" That's what's so cool about the Escape: accelerate gently from a stop light, and it's totally silent as it runs on 100% electric power. It's like driving one big, enclosed golf cart.
