Ford Escape PHEV Plug-In Hybrid: A Closer Look
A plug-in system adds utility to this new Ford Escape.
VEHICLE FRONT
Until now, there were two Ford Escapes offered. First was the basic gas-powered, or you could move up to the gas-saving hybrid model. Now there is a third choice, the hybrid plug-in.
Text and photos by Chad Haire
CHARGE CABLE
With this version, there is a cable/plug setup that can charge a battery in 3.3 hours with 240-volt outlet, or 11 hours with a common 115 household socket. Once fully charged, the vehicle can be driven on total electric power up to 37 miles. When that battery is drained, the vehicle switches over to gas/hybrid operation. In the latter mode, the claimed economy is 40 mpg in ideal conditions.
ENGINE
Total horsepower is claimed to be 221. Acceleration is brisk thanks to the low-end torque output of the hybrid system.
WHEELS
All-wheel drive is offered on all Escape models, except this plug-in version. There simply is not enough room to install one. So here we get front-wheel drive only.
SPARE TIRE
There is no spare tire offered with the plug-in Escape because there is no room to place one. That is because the factory engineers, for some odd reason, decided to put the 12-volt battery in the spare tire space. There is a tire repair kit placed in the upper left cargo area.
SHIFTER
Instead of the obsolete transmission stick shift, we were happy to get the round dial knob. It takes up less room and goes into park automatically when the motor is shut off.
CONTROLS
The radio and climate controls are very simple and easy to use.
HEADLIGHTS
The headlights put out plenty of beams, on either the low or high setting.
POV
The Escape hybrid has a very comfortable ride, making it great for long trips.
MPG #1
In 2,769 miles of driving this vehicle averaged just over 40 mpg. However, 863 miles were electric.
MPG #2
Instead of charging the battery in the 240-volt outlet every time it was drained, we eventually did not recharge, running on gas/hybrid only to see what the economy would be. In 250 miles of commuting, the computer showed 32.4 mpg on the highway. 34 of these managed to be electric due to hybrid recharge. For maximum fuel economy, the plug-in battery should be charged often.
