It also yields a more linear power delivery than Toyota’s system, with less irritating drone.īut while performance is always a good thing, it’s not what the target buyer is after. So, driving it feels very much like a conventional Escape, but with the added off-the-line boost provided by the electric motor. Furthermore, while the RAV4 hybrid relies on a rear-mounted electric motor for four-wheel locomotion, the Escape still uses a mechanical differential and driveshaft. That’s because that eCVT (electronic CVT) takes over before the thermal engine picks up in the revs, delivering smooth, punchy takeoffs. Because on paper, it’s not necessarily more powerful than a RAV4 hybrid. That’s the key to the Escape hybrid’s peppiness, where the electric motor is located. The last time I felt this behind the wheel of a Ford was in a Fiesta ST.Īnd there’s ample power on tap too: 200 combined horsepower thanks to a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder and a tiny electric motor that’s squeezed inside the transmission. Its suspension is beautifully tuned to properly gobble up trashed Quebec roads, and there’s a puppy-dog feel to the way it pounces its way out of a corner. The Escape has a refined, buttoned-down feel when driven fast. I never expected a hybrid compact crossover to be this enjoyable to flog around on my favorite piece of tarmac. Perhaps where the Escape hybrid impressed me the most was in its ability to carve its way down a winding road in utmost stability and eagerness. ![]() So, how does Ford’s electrified family shuttle fare in this exclusive group? It does a bang-up job of combining the competition’s traits, even if it does come with its share of pitfalls. for a while now, but we won’t get it until mid next year when the model gets overhauled. Yes, Honda has been selling a hybrid CR-V in the U.S. Sadly, the auto industry still hasn’t caught on to this, which is why the Escape hybrid – which is somewhat of a pioneer in its segment - still only has three real competitors: the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, the Hyundai Tucson hybrid, and soon, the Kia Sportage hybrid. Young families on a budget appreciate these types of vehicles for their cargo space, lifted ride height, all-wheel drive, and low running costs, hence the importance of a super fuel-efficient default powerplant. Why? Because these things have become the go-to vehicle for middle class families, rendering the compact and/or midsize sedan obsolete. Spending the week with the 2021 Ford Escape SE hybrid had me come to an important realization: that all compact crossovers need to come standard with a hybrid powerplant.
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