Ford Escape Hybrid Buyers to Pay a Premium to Save Fuel

Ford's Escape Hybrid will be up against another SUV in the not-too-distant future, but the Toyota Highlander hybrid will be larger and reportedly more expensive. Lexus will

Ford better enjoy having the only hybrid SUV on the market while it can, there will be plenty of competition soon. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

also come to market with a version of the sport utility dubbed the RX 400h. Honda has not announced a CR-V Hybrid, despite the compact SUV being an ideal platform for such an application. Other automakers bringing HEVs to market are GM, with its full-size pickup hybrids, and as mentioned previously, Nissan, which will come to market shortly with an Altima Hybrid sedan, sourcing hybrid components from

The addition of a hybrid powerplant makes the already enjoyable Escape even better. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

Toyota just like Ford. Toyota has announced it will increase its hybrid production to include a variety of new models in upcoming years, including an HEV Camry, plus a direct competitor to Ford's Escape Hybrid is a logical step to be expected soon after the next-generation RAV4 debuts.

In the end the option of a hybrid powertrain makes Canada's best-selling SUV even better. It's already an enjoyable vehicle to drive while practical for small families, the addition of hybrid power only makes it that much more alluring in today's green conscious market.

For those residing in British Columbia, Ontario or Prince Edward Island, the following provincial government incentives can make owning an Escape Hybrid more palatable.

BC residents get a rebate of 30 percent of General Social Service Tax paid to a maximum of $1,000 (which means a maximum of $1,000 when the vehicle in question costs $44,400).

Ontario residents get a rebate of Ontario Retail Sales tax to a maximum of $1,000 too, plus a full reimbursement of any Tax for Fuel Conservation paid (equal to $75 on the Escape Hybrid).

Those living on PEI might have the most intriguing incentive package available, which is a rebate of Provincial Sales tax to a maximum of $3,000 (the higher number due to the fact that the PEI sales tax rate is currently 10 percent).