The practicality of a four-wheel-drive (4WD) SUV can be essential to many. It's certainly the vehicle of choice for my family given our regular ski sojourns and travels to the cottage, dog included. No other vehicle format provides sufficient cargo capacity, seating options and traction to fulfill the task quite as effectively. That said I've always felt self-conscious about driving such an ecologically detrimental rig as a daily commuter; and I always detest such behemoths when the gas pump runneth over, as in over what I can afford.
The Escape Hybrid - the world's first hybrid-electric SUV - has altered the axis on which my SUV-dependent world spins.
Escape Hybrid restyled and up-scaled for 2008
The Escape Hybrid was introduced in 2004 as a 2005 model, and was the first production hybrid vehicle built in North America. Much has changed in the hybrid world in the short run-up to 2008. Changes to the Escape Hybrid, which begin with reworked sheet metal, are quite extensive for 2008.
Exterior styling is much improved, especially when viewed from the front. The vehicle's grille and headlight arrangement now follows the styling theme applied recently to other Ford truck and SUV products. The alterations give the compact SUV a classier yet rugged appearance- something that was missing in the previous execution.
The automotive version of Extreme Makeover didn't end at the front door. The Escape's interior has been completely retailored as well. The resulting product is highly attractive and far more upscale than before; albeit, plenty of hard plastic surfaces remain and fit and finish is not of the highest caliber. Then again when the Escape's modest price range is factored-in apologies are unnecessary.
Hybrid powertrain further refined
Although the fundamentals and the power output of the Escape's hybrid technology remain the same for 2008, software revisions improve transparency between gas and electric operation. And because the Escape utilizes "full" hybrid technology, the vehicle can operate at speeds up to 48-kph on electric power alone when gently nursed along. Dip into the throttle and the gas engine instantly ignites, coming to the rescue more discreetly than it formerly did.
The Escape Hybrid - the world's first hybrid-electric SUV - has altered the axis on which my SUV-dependent world spins.
 |
| Exterior styling is much improved, especially when viewed from the front. |
Escape Hybrid restyled and up-scaled for 2008
The Escape Hybrid was introduced in 2004 as a 2005 model, and was the first production hybrid vehicle built in North America. Much has changed in the hybrid world in the short run-up to 2008. Changes to the Escape Hybrid, which begin with reworked sheet metal, are quite extensive for 2008.
Exterior styling is much improved, especially when viewed from the front. The vehicle's grille and headlight arrangement now follows the styling theme applied recently to other Ford truck and SUV products. The alterations give the compact SUV a classier yet rugged appearance- something that was missing in the previous execution.
The automotive version of Extreme Makeover didn't end at the front door. The Escape's interior has been completely retailored as well. The resulting product is highly attractive and far more upscale than before; albeit, plenty of hard plastic surfaces remain and fit and finish is not of the highest caliber. Then again when the Escape's modest price range is factored-in apologies are unnecessary.
Hybrid powertrain further refined
Although the fundamentals and the power output of the Escape's hybrid technology remain the same for 2008, software revisions improve transparency between gas and electric operation. And because the Escape utilizes "full" hybrid technology, the vehicle can operate at speeds up to 48-kph on electric power alone when gently nursed along. Dip into the throttle and the gas engine instantly ignites, coming to the rescue more discreetly than it formerly did.
 |
| The power output of the Escape's hybrid technology remain the same for 2008. |