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 Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 346 Times in 245 Posts Friends: 23	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 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit 2008 Deep Black smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads, LED lighting "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

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04-19-2007, 02:40 AM	#2
Arroyo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 181 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts 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 Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 346 Times in 245 Posts Friends: 23	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: 507 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Navigation Thanks: 17 Thanked 31 Times in 18 Posts 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: 507 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Navigation Thanks: 17 Thanked 31 Times in 18 Posts 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: 591 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 12 Thanked 16 Times in 11 Posts Friends: 0	How many here know the difference between the two? I do, but not going to say until others respond.