2005 Ford Escape Hybrid

Gasoline/electric hybrids, like the Toyota Prius, are growing in popularity. They are more efficient and pollute less than typical gasoline vehicles. Yet they still use the same fueling infrastructure, namely your corner gas station. But to this point, the only people movers have been hybrid cars. That all changes now with the arrival of the new 2005 Ford Escape hybrid, the world’s first hybrid SUV. But can you mix green with utility without coloring both?

Ford sure thinks so. Especially since the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid is the answer to wannabe SUV drivers whose anti-gas guzzler conscience just won’t let them take the utility plunge. It’s a guilt-free SUV, giving folks the space they crave without the high fuel consumption and pollution they don’t.

Nearly identical in appearance to the redesigned traditional 2005 Escape, the Hybrid shares the same wide stance, bold front fascia, and honeycomb grille. Differences are limited to unique road-and-leaf Hybrid badging, 16-inch wheel design, and a small air vent on the driver’s side rear quarter window. A unique appearance package adds silver body cladding. But this car-based sport-ute is in a class of its own, blending full-time hybrid technology with do-it-all mentality. Developed by Ford, using some software from Toyota, the Escape’s ‘‘FULL’’ or ‘‘STRONG’‘ Hybrid system is capable of running on gas, electric power, or a combination of both, the same as the Toyota Prius.

The drivetrain consists of an Atkinson-Cycle version of the Escape’s standard 2.3 liter, twin-cam, four cylinder, rated at 133 horsepower and 129 pound feet of torque. There is modified-valve timing and a vapor reducing fuel tank to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. The other half of the drivetrain begins with this 330-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, the electric motor’s ‘‘gas tank’’ so to speak. It feeds power to the Escape’s 70-kilowatt electric motor. Motive power, gas or electric, is fed to the front wheels or optional Intelligent 4-wheel drive system by a CVT Continuously Variable Transmission.

On the Dyno, the gas/electric partnership kicks out a combined horsepower of 155, and at initial throttle, feels comparable to the Escape’s available 200 horsepower V6. At the track the Escape Hybrid turned in a 0-60 time of 9.5 seconds, and a quarter mile run of 17.4 seconds at 83 miles-per-hour. Now, that’s a little slower than an Escape V6, but a little faster than a Toyota Prius.

The Escape is very solid in corners, too. It handles with confidence and body roll is modest. The electric assist rack-and-pinion steering has little feel but it is well weighted. Bringing this Eco-ute from 60 to 0 in 139 feet are the Escape’s ABS-equipped front and rear disc with regenerative brake system. Like other hybrids, in normal street stops, the gas engine will shut down to save fuel. Starting off, if you’re easy on the throttle, you can drive on electric power alone up to 25 miles per hour before the gas engine starts. The overall driving experience is actually the best of any ‘‘FULL’‘ hybrid we’ve tried. There is less vibration when changing from electric to gas drive than the Prius.

Inside, the Escape is practical and roomy. A unique instrument panel features gauges that show the status of the battery pack and a two-line message center. The center stack also allows for an optional video panel to display an energy flow diagram of the hybrid system, navigation functions and audio controls. Standard is a convenient 110 volt AC outlet, ideal for running laptops, video players and other light loads. Seating calls for two up front and three pinched in the back. And even with the battery pack below the rear load floor, cargo capacity is 27 cubic feet behind the split bench and 65 cubic feet with the seats folded. The spare tire has been relocated to under the rear chassis.

But the real focus of the Escape Hybrid is that it is an SUV that’s frugal on fuel. The 4x4 Escape Hybrid is EPA rated at 33 MPG city and 29 highway. Our mixed test loop confirmed 32 miles per gallon. That’s 40% better than the highway rating of the Escape V6 4X4, but with little performance lost. All while meeting California’s super strict Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle standards and qualifying as an EPA Green Vehicle.

Intrigued? Well, how much green are you willing to part with to Escape from excessive pump prices? The front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid starts at $26,970. All-wheel-drive begins at $28,595. That works out to be a $3,400 premium over an Escape XLT V-6.

While it could take you years to recoup that premium in gas savings, that’s not the total point of the Escape Hybrid. It’s a matter of having a utility that is easier on Mother Earth, without compromising how it serves the core family. We think Ford is sending the right message about SUVs and the environment with the 2005 Ford Escape, and showing that they are indeed learning to color carefully with new technology and not go outside the lines.