By Tom Crosby
AAA Carolinas

Tweaking the power steering and the transition between gasoline and/or electric power, Ford has improved by up to 14% the gasoline mileage for its popular small sport utility hybrid, the Escape. With its low base price compared to hybrid sedans, the Escape has found a niche among younger shoppers who want to be “green,” yet have enough space for children and luggage on long trips. And the hybrid Escape doesn’t sacrifice power, providing similar performance to a gasoline powered V-6 Escape, according to Ford, while getting 80 percent better mileage than the V-6.

For 2008, Ford is using 100 percent recycled fabric interior seating surfaces made from post-industrial waste, such as plastic soda bottles and undyed polyester fibers that would have normally ended up in a landfill. Other “green” touches include a green road and leaf badge on the side of the vehicle and super ultra-low emissions.

Ford Escape hybrids come in either front-wheel or four-wheel drive with an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission designed to keep rpm’s high while shifting gears.  This works extremely well while accelerating but can cause some engine drag when slowing down. Some engine noise intrudes into the cabin.

Outside, the Escape is mono-chromatic, with side cladding, flared wheel arches and in front, a box-like, distinctive, aluminum/chrome grill. Inside, Escapes have a “top of the dash” information screen that displays the outside temperature, radio functions and climate control functions. The only downside is its difficult to see in daylight with sunglasses on. There is no light over the dashboard, just one overhead in the roof’s center. At night, new, signature Ice Blue interior lighting adds a space-age glow to match the hybrid technology and high-grade plastics match a new leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Five occupants can fit in the Escape, with average-size adults only slightly squeezed in the second row. Seats fold flat 60-40 to expand the 27.6 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats to more than 65 cubic feet. Knick knack spaces are plentiful, and if properly equipped, Escapes can tow up to 1,000 pounds. A new electric power assist steering system makes steering easier at parking lot speeds and maintains responsiveness on the highway. Softened arm rests, side impact foam bolsters and intrusion door beams for handling an impact combine with rollover side air curtains, seat-mounted air bags and dual-stage air bag deployment to give the Escape good marks for safety.