Ford Escape SUV Hybrid 2005: The Weekly Driver

The 2005 Ford Escape is the fourth addition to manufacturer's SUV line, the first hybrid in the class and it makes an impressive debut.

The Escape is economically and environmentally smart, and for those still unimpressed by SUVs, the vehicle could easily change their thinking. The 4-door, all-wheel drive 5-passenger rig has a 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder gas engine assisted by an electric motor.

Combined, it offers 155 horsepower and it's rated at 33 mpg gallon in city driving and 29 mpg in highway conditions. That's the best SUV mileage available.

For those still new to hybrids, the Escape is another prime example of the advancement of the combined gas-electric presentation. The electric motor helps save gas by powering the vehicle at lower speeds and complementing the gas engine during acceleration.

The notion of recharging a hybrid battery is no longer relevant; the system recharges the motor's batteries when the vehicle is decelerating or coasting.

As such, if an Escape driver didn't they were driving a hybrid, there's little to differentiate it from gas-only Escape models, with two exceptions: The Escape hybrid is quieter and its acceleration ratings aren't quite as good as the gas XLS 2WD, XLT Sport 2WD or XLT Sports AWD models.

Beyond its combined engine, the 2005 Escape has a larger base engine (28 more horsepower than in '04) and its interior and exterior styling has been "tweaked" to give it a more refined road appeal.

For my weekly drive, I tested the 4-door, automatic hybrid. In addition to its sizable standard features list (AM/FM/stereo with in-dash 6-CD changer to 16-inch aluminum wheels), my vehicle also included three option packages that added another $3,000 to the base $28,000 price point. The options included the Safety Package ($595), the $1,850 appearance package (including the navigation system) and the Leather Comfort Group ($575).

So for $31,000, is the Escape hybrid a sound choice?

In most areas, the answer is an unqualified yes. The initial price is not a bargain, but the one-time federal tax deduction available to hybrid owners certainly helps.