Ford's Hybrid SUV

2005 Ford Escape Hybrid

http://www.fordvehicles.com/escapehybrid/home

EPA says it gets 35-40 mpg city and less on the highway. One tank should take you 400-500 miles.

It's supposed to have V6-like acceleration. No word on price yet, but I expect it will be much higher than a regular Escape due to popularity. An extra $2,500 or so would justify the hybrid technology but supply and demand will make it much higher. You should get about $1,500 deduction on federal income taxes and whatever your state gives you.




Off-roading and extensive highway driving will kill fuel economy, but hybrids really shine in stop-and-go city driving. This is an answer for people who like the environment but also want to haul gear around.

interesting?

I'd like the hauling capability of a small SUV, but dislike the mileage. 35-40 is a lot more palatable.

When it's time to replace the current car, I'll definitely look into this option.

and there's a hellishly long waiting list for them. They should go on sale this summer.

The price should be lower, and availability higher by then.

Sigh.

from the old one. It's better on many levels.

I have one. But the price and availability didn't go down, was my point.

I'm getting a hybrid, regardless, but I'd rather have an SUV if I can get one. But, a Prius or Civic Hybrid would work fine, just not carry as much. I have a sedan now, so I wouldn't be losing that much, really.

It's bigger inside than my 94 Mazda, and it seems like our cars were similar.

The Civic isn't as large, and gets worse mileage, but has a five star safety rating.

I didn't realize it was that large. Nice.

After a couple years paying on the house, I'l be ready for a car. (Unless my current ride gets other ideas...)

and you get a $2,000 tax credit that year, along with a $1,500 yearly deduction (though that is being phased out). I'd say you would SAVE money right off the bat.

I'm definitely interested in getting one. I will wait a few years though so they can work out the kinks, and maybe find a way to better use the electric motor on the highway and improve the highway mileage. I haven't seen anywhere where they advertise the highway mileage, a little suspicious.

Is the extra deduction because of the SUV deduction? On other hybrids, you get a $1500 one time deduction. It used to be $2000, but Bush started phasing it out.

and a tool for big oil. President Kerry will likely return the hybrid tax deductions to Clintonian levels or higher.

Gore got the hybrid tax break, which is why Bush killed it.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax_afv.shtml

It looks like it will be a short-lived incentive anyway, better get it in 2004.

Purchase Year / Maximum Deduction per Vehicle

1992-03 / $2,000
2004 / $1,500
2005 / $1,000
2006 / $500


Plus, the tax credit I heard about was only for electric vehicles and not for hybrids. Oh well. It'll still pay for itself over time.

power plant

Oh and the technology is Firs Gen... they were suposed to come out
this summer but every time we asked the dealer it somehow got delayed

We decided to wait for the Accord, third Gen Hybrid power plant and all that

that is serious about entering the environmentally-friendly car business dominated by Toyota and Honda. There is Toyota technology in that Ford engine.

*shakes fist*

j/k

http://www.toyota.com/highlander/



While it doesn't list MPG, it does say it will go over 600 miles on a tank. And given Toyota's huge lead in hybrid technology (over everyone except Honda), you'll be assured that most of the bugs have already been resolved.

I want one. With spouse,kids,dog and gear sounds great for us. We camp a lot.

Also gets you in the HOV lanes. Anybody know how much they cost? $30,000? $40,000? Your first born child?

it's a few grand more than a regular one. They haven't released the price yet.

Look very nice. I want one!

$24,620 - $31,920 fully loaded

Thanks for the article. Now, if the government REALLY wanted to make a difference, maybe they could help FORD, an American corp., by providing great trade incentives for the non-hybrid SUVS.

instead he increased the incentives for traditional SUV's and created loopholes allowing people to declare H2's as work vehicles. Yep, he's a tool for big oil.

Maybe President Kerry will do something about it or at least reinstate the incentives Clinton/Gore put in.

secondly, though much less important, are they just as dangerous to their drivers and occupants?

not as dangerous as Suburban or H2. I imagine it will still roll over. I'm not a fan of SUV's either but a hybrid is better for the environment than regular ones.

35-40 MPG is impressive - for a strictly gas powered vehicle.

For a hybrid, this is little better compared to a strictly gas SUV.

For those who need the power and room, I agree this vehicle is a true :thumbsup: and a good start at providing the best of both worlds.