First Drive: 2008 Ford Escape and Escape Hybrid

**Tideland Prius** · 04-19-2007, 02:11 AM

Another option is the Escape Hybrid (starting at $31,499 with FWD). Its combination of continuously variable transmission (CVT), electric motor and gasoline engine delivers a combined 155 hp, and can considerably lower fuel consumption, especially in city driving. However, all Escapes will return excellent mileage for this class of vehicle if you use a light foot when driving them.

[...]

Inside, the fabric surfaces are made from 100 percent recycled materials, which Ford believes to be an industry-first. The company that supplies the fabrics, Interface Fabrics Inc., estimates that Ford's use of these materials will conserve approximately 2.5 million litres of water, almost a million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents, and seven million kilowatt hours of electricity annually. The entire vehicle is about 85% recyclable.

Full Article

Arroyo · 04-19-2007, 02:40 AM

First drive of the sister car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid: "The Energizer" - LA Car

**Tideland Prius** · 04-19-2007, 01:28 PM

The FEH's EV mode feels stronger. You can accelerate harder in EV than the Prius (w/out EV mod). I hope the quality of plastics have improved.

Husker4theSpurs · 04-19-2007, 06:10 PM

I test drove the '08 Mercury Mariner hybrid ... felt really heavy ... it is nicely redesigned over last year's model though. The back seats seemed a little flat (no contour). I did get about 30 mpg on my 8 mile drive with a little interstate driving in there. One nice thing was 6 months of Sirius radio ... stereo was really nice as well. I believe the sticker was $32,700 (loaded). It had an economy button that you can engage which will disengage the A/C at stops so the engine can shut off (since it's completely tied to the ICE).

**Tideland Prius** · 04-19-2007, 06:13 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Husker4theSpurs @ Apr 19 2007, 03:10 PM) [snapback]426331[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

It had an economy button that you can engage which will disengage the A/C at stops so the engine can shut off (since it's completely tied to the ICE).
[/b]

How's that different from "A/C" and "MAX A/C" on the Classic Prius? (MAX A/C keeps the engine running with cold air blowing, regular A/C shuts off the engine and A/C).

Also it seems they didn't upgrade their hybrid system with this new vehicle.

Husker4theSpurs · 04-19-2007, 06:17 PM

I believe the sticker said 29 city, 27 hwy ... revised '08 sticker fuel economy. This was an AWD version.

San_Carlos_Jeff · 04-19-2007, 06:39 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 19 2007, 03:13 PM) [snapback]426334[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

How's that different from "A/C" and "MAX A/C" on the Classic Prius? (MAX A/C keeps the engine running with cold air blowing, regular A/C shuts off the engine and A/C).

Also it seems they didn't upgrade their hybrid system with this new vehicle.
[/b]

Are you sure regular AC shuts down when the engine turns off? I don't think that's the case because when I've been stopped for a long time in the sun the big battery will run into the purple running the AC and then the engine kicks on to do a recharge. I don't remember being on MAX A/C in this situation.

acdii · 04-19-2007, 07:05 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(San_Carlos_Jeff @ Apr 19 2007, 05:39 PM) [snapback]426353[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Are you sure regular AC shuts down when the engine turns off? I don't think that's the case because when I've been stopped for a long time in the sun the big battery will run into the purple running the AC and then the engine kicks on to do a recharge. I don't remember being on MAX A/C in this situation.
[/b]

I believe on the Ford the A/C compressor runs off the ICE, the Prius has an electric Compressor, one of the first things I noticed when I looked under the hood. The battery drives the AC on the prius, thats why the engine can shut off, if I am correct with the Ford using conventional AC compressor, that would be the reason the engine runs at a light.

**Tideland Prius** · 04-20-2007, 12:48 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(San_Carlos_Jeff @ Apr 19 2007, 03:39 PM) [snapback]426353[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Are you sure regular AC shuts down when the engine turns off? I don't think that's the case because when I've been stopped for a long time in the sun the big battery will run into the purple running the AC and then the engine kicks on to do a recharge. I don't remember being on MAX A/C in this situation.
[/b]

How's that different from "A/C" and "MAX A/C" on the Classic Prius ?

You skipped over the most important bit of my post

acdii · 04-20-2007, 02:26 PM

How many here know the difference between the two? I do, but not going to say until others respond.

04-19-2007, 02:11 AM	#1
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,771 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Another option is the Escape Hybrid (starting at $31,499 with FWD). Its combination of continuously variable transmission (CVT), electric motor and gasoline engine delivers a combined 155 hp, and can considerably lower fuel consumption, especially in city driving. However, all Escapes will return excellent mileage for this class of vehicle if you use a light foot when driving them. [...] Inside, the fabric surfaces are made from 100 percent recycled materials, which Ford believes to be an industry-first. The company that supplies the fabrics, Interface Fabrics Inc., estimates that Ford's use of these materials will conserve approximately 2.5 million litres of water, almost a million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents, and seven million kilowatt hours of electricity annually. The entire vehicle is about 85% recyclable. Full Article __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package as of 25th Oct 2004 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, OEM All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Interior Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Integration Kit, LED licence plate lights, Phillips Vision Plus 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé as of 28th Apr 2008 Foglights, dash pods, leather seats, OEM rubber mats, BRABUS alum. handbrake, LED licence plate lights & dome lamp

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04-19-2007, 02:40 AM	#2
Arroyo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 170 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	First drive of the sister car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid: "The Energizer" - LA Car

04-19-2007, 01:28 PM	#3
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,771 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	The FEH's EV mode feels stronger. You can accelerate harder in EV than the Prius (w/out EV mod). I hope the quality of plastics have improved.

04-19-2007, 06:10 PM	#4
Husker4theSpurs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 232 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I test drove the '08 Mercury Mariner hybrid ... felt really heavy ... it is nicely redesigned over last year's model though. The back seats seemed a little flat (no contour). I did get about 30 mpg on my 8 mile drive with a little interstate driving in there. One nice thing was 6 months of Sirius radio ... stereo was really nice as well. I believe the sticker was $32,700 (loaded). It had an economy button that you can engage which will disengage the A/C at stops so the engine can shut off (since it's completely tied to the ICE).

04-19-2007, 06:17 PM	#6
Husker4theSpurs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 232 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I believe the sticker said 29 city, 27 hwy ... revised '08 sticker fuel economy. This was an AWD version.

04-20-2007, 02:26 PM	#10
acdii Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 351 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	How many here know the difference between the two? I do, but not going to say until others respond.