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Ford Escape Hybrid MPG-Real World Numbers
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HWY 26mpg (usually at 60 mph..cruise control with an empty luggage rack on the roof). City has been about 32mpg.
Worst was 13.46 mpg. Daughter borrowed car. Loaded 5 people in it plus their luggage plus a luggage rack on the roof plus a luggage bag and then drove it an average of 70 mph!!
Best mileage was 33.95 mpg .. all city.
Most of my driving over the summer has been on the highway with the luggage rack. I noticed that the removal of the luggage rack boosted my mpg by about 10%.
Looking forward to getting good mpg as I use it more in the city and don't have the luggage rack.
Wife and I love this car so far. Back seats folded down most of time .. great for shopping!!
Both numbers are a combination of city and highway driving.
That luggage rack cost me big time. Even when nothing was being carried in it (which was most of the time).
I had left it installed on the roof because I was lazy .. not doing that again!!
Could you describe more about the luggage rack installed in your car? Is it the OEM installed the two side rails with two cross bars or is it a custom rack?
Thanks, :surprise:
It attaches to the ford cross bars which are expensive. Can't remember the exact price for the cross bars but it was over $200 for each one .. close to $500 cdn for the set of two (probably cheaper in the US even with 1 cdn dollar = 1.02 us ... sore point up here how long it takes for retail to recognize a rising dollar and how fast they recognize a sinking one .. but I go off topic here).
It is a Thule 840/9180 Playpen. And it looks somewhat like a
kids bicycle basket. There are a series of 9 tubes
which are elongated "U"s going across the top (90 degrees to the airflow) and two tubes which run at 90 degrees to the Ford Cross bars. It has a tube which is parallel to the roof at the top of the "U"s so that things don't fall out the side.
The thing is maybe 12 inches deep. There is a wind deflector on the front.
I have no problem with the unit itself. It is sturdy, well made and clamps nicely to the cross bars. We've used it with a cargo net where you fill it up and hook the cargo net to the tubes. Cargo will get wet this way. We have also used it with a cargo bag, which is basically a big bag that is water proof. I have no data on MPG between bag and net. But I do have data on keeping it on the roof top when empty. I won't do that again. As I've said in the previous post it cost me about 19% in mileage .. and that's a lot.
Mileage goes down in summer usually no lower than 27mpg, but now that fall is coming and I'm only battling temps in the lower to mid 80's I almost always have it set to standard AC so the ICE turns off at lights etc. Millage is now back up to 32+ MPG.
You learn a little different way of driving, but if my 15 year old can get a kick out of trying to get the best mileage out of a car and eagerly tries to top is Dad, then anyone can love hybrid technology.
Even conventionally powered Escapes will show reduced FE with the A/C running. So, if the FEH FE is reduced due to using A/C....so is the FE of any other vehicle it is being compared to.
Not to be picky, but where did you get three generations? Gen 1 was 2000-2003, Gen 2 was 2004 - present. There was a Japanese version in 1997, IIRC, but it was identical to the Gen 1.
Just today, I counted over 10 hybrids at my dealer on the front lot for sale.
http://www86.forddirect.fordvehicles.com/IncomingPage.jsp?intcmp=fv%3A+showroom%- 3A+search+inventory&sModel=2008Escape+Hybrid&partner=&target=inventory&sBrand=Fo- rd&sZip=
........to search dealer inventory. I would say this tool is not very accruate day-to-day....but you should get a lot of 0 (zero) hits on small dealerships. Look for larger, urban dealers that will have at least 3 or more on inventory....then determine if they are close enough for you to visit. If you have never been in any type of Escape if would be valuable to try and drive a non-hybrid version to get 80% of the FEH experience.
The Hybrid is designed to drive in an identical manner as the non-hybrid....but once you understand how it works ...you will want to employ new driving techniques that allow you to get the EPA estimates of MPG (or better!)
Good Luck.
Get to test drive one, just to get a feel for it, but it really is just like a regular gas engine, except when in electric mode, then totally silent. Pick up is great, often surprised that when light turns green, everybody else is left behind, except for some sports cars! :surprise: All else works just as advertised. I now have been a proud Hybrid owner for two years, and can't find fault. Really!
On some city driving (4WD) I actually get 37 mpg, which is surprising. But in regular traffic, on highway I get about 30+, and if just doing short hops (engine warms up and recharges all those batteries) I'll only average 27 mpg. You do learn after a while how to 'milk it' to get better mileage, if that is your goal. With today's gas prices, it sure is mine. :P It is an SUV, so don't expect very high mileage, but that's good enough for me. And it really is a joy of a car to drive, so quiet and smooth, seamless really. I've also taken it into some pretty rough off-road desert driving, and just great. My GPS could be better, if I must gripe about something.
Mark.
I do service for a living and, because I am here in Albany NY, I also need 4WD. I wish there were plug in Hybrids available--then I would stock up on Solar panels and the hell with all off them.
Now, back to reality.
I made a mistake a couple of years ago and leased a Dodge Magnum--supposed to get about 24-27 MPG on the highway--which must have been downhill all the way and then a tow back up!
I will be in the market for a vehicle late summer 2008 and have been looking now. The road seems to be littered with Prius hybrids but some Escapes are mixed in.
The mid 20''s MPG does not seem to be worth the $$ and replacement costs for the Escape as that kind of mileage can be had with gasoline, although it would be tough in a 4WD--maybe an AWD could do it.
I am looking for recommendations, etc, for a vehicle to suit my needs. I carry some computers and parts with me, so an SUV makes the most sense. I had 2 Suzuki Grand Vitara's prior to the Dodge, and, for the $$, they are a great car---but the MPG topped out at 21. However, as a 4WD, it was great in the lousy weather.
Right now, I like the Prius(smaller and replacement battery woe$--or so I hear), the Suzuki, possibly the Dodge Nitro(mileage is lousy, and from what I read elsewhere on the Edmunds site, I should stay away from it), then an Escape 4WD Hybrid.
To you who have hybrids now, what is the scoop with replacing the batteries? I heard it is a very expensive project.
Thanks for the time
Bob
The short story is this. Escape Hybrid is a AT-PZEV rated vehicle. Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. To achieve this rating, the following warranty is required:
Unique Hybrid Componets - 8 years or 100,000 miles. AND on CA emission vehicles, (all those sold in New York) 10 years or 150,000 miles with full replacement cost on the high voltage battery pack.
I was surprised to discover that there are actually people dumb enough to lease a hybrid. No hybrid currently on the market will get you back the extra cost of a hybrid vs a comparable sized gas vehicle with in the time frame of a lease.
What you should really do is take some time at www.fueleconomy.gov with the side by side comparison tool. The site uses the new test numbers even for prior model year vehicles.
Put in your current vehicle then the vehicle you are looking to buy. This site will give you a percentage of difference and dollar figures based on the average price of gas in the US.
AND LETS FACE IT, there is no way you are going to get around paying a significant penalty for AWD vs. FWD.
Mark
Dean
I agree. Once someone owns a hybrid, more and more savings "come out of the woodwork". (fewer oil changes, lower personal property taxes in some states). And the focus on battery replacements costs are ridiculus. The HVBattery is warranteed for 100,000 or 8 years minimum and the 8 year history of the Prius indicates they will last much longer -- once the batteries need to be replaced en mass...the price will come down and there will be plugin options available. Moreover, does anyone out there think gas prices will go down in the next 5 - 8 years ??? So the return on investment calculations are way off. Before I bought mine in 2006, I calculated 6 years before I saved enough to make up the extra price.....20 months later I figure it will actually be a little over 3 years....
[What other option on an automobile gets scrutinized with ROI calculations?, navigation systems?, fancy tires/wheels?, dvd systems?.....none. Buy a car with the hybrid drive train because you want it]
Sure batteries cells will degrade over time, and at some point it may be more practical t replace all the cells (or most of them) with new fresh cells for optimum performance, but the point is it's your choice and you don't have to if you don't want to.
Time will tell, as I have over 41,000 miles on my '06 which I got in May of 05' I'm going to hit the 100,000 mark long before I hit the 8 year mark I'll let you know.
I think the jury is still out on that one. There have been reports of high repair costs on some of the Gen 1 hybrids. The Gen 2s have only been out since 2004.
......the point is, what has been the failure rate?, how many batteries have failed and why? did the design really change substantially between Gen1(2) and Gen2(3)?
If the basic NiMH concept was flawed.....we would have seen a much higher rate of failure as the Prius design reaches 8, 9, 10 years old. I think a jury verdict doesn't need to wait until the design is 15 years old to decide if the NiMH HV Traction battery has a useful life that is comparable to other automobile components.
......the point is, what has been the failure rate?, how many batteries have failed and why? did the design really change substantially between Gen1(2) and Gen2(3)? "
I wasn't speaking of just the batteries, but rather of all repairs associated with the hybrid propulsion system. In particular, the multifunction displays have had some issues. The hybrids are very complex vehicles, even compared with today's more complicated ICE only vehicles.
I am planning on having the vehicle checked out by the dealer. My next step will be sending a formal complaint to the Regional Manager for Ford.
Anyone else having a similar experience? Be careful if you are considering buying this vehicle.
Have also reduced fuel inefficient items such as the roof rack cross bars, interior cargo cover (quite heavy) and other unnecessary items.
Stephen
So Cal, USA, where the sun shines warm even in winter.
I am having the same problem. I bought my 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid (FWD) on 12/22/08 and am on my second tank of gas, and am only averaging 22 or 23 MPG. I live in Chicago, and with our cold winters, I generally have the heat on, but I have been parking in a garage, so its not as cold as it could be. My wife and I have noticed a slight "siren sound" when we drive, but I assumed that it was normal, and part of the hybrid system. I'm wondering if this is a defect related to the low gas mileage. Obviously, I wouldn't have bought the car if I was going to get such low fuel efficiency. My next step is to call the dealer. Do you have a number for the Regional Manager for Ford???
Just a couple of notes:
1- The engine and mechanics need to be broken in. This takes some time and probably takes a little longer in colder climates
2- The colder climate. You are looking at the milage probably at the worst time of year for you (for me in So FLA August kills me at almost 100 degee humid weather)
3- Millage will get better as you start to drive differently. To maximize your millage use the 15 min avg millage display (btw these new driving habits apply to non hybrids as well)
4- Consider also that for a small SUV you are getting considerably more mpg than the same vehicle with a gas only powertrain (the government estimates always are higher for these as well).
My experience with my 2006 Escape has been that the millage started out low but now after driving the past 3 years is consistantly good (avg for all driving is around 33 mpg) and this past weekend as I drove around house hunting topped 36 mpg.
So before you think defect, give it a little time and see how it goes. I think you will be like most of the rest of us in a few months time... bragging about how well it runs and how great your millage is and smiling every time you go to fill up and watching the others pump a mortgage payment.
You're probably right. I got a little scared after shelling out almost $30k a month ago and seeing the lower MPG. Would letting the car warm up for 5 minutes every morning improve my MPG or would this result in no net change? The problem is my wife only drives about 5 miles to work and back, so by the time the car warms up, she's practically done driving.
I'll keep monitoring and see if the average gets up to the 30 MPG range. Has anyone noticed the "siren" sound coming from the engine in the first 5 or 10 minutes of cold driving???
IMHO if you are in the 5 to 10 miles per day catagory you are wasting alot of money if you buy a hybrid.
I can't go on because it just so amazes me some of the people who go on and on insisting that they need a hybrid.
I am assuming that your wife drives less than 10 k per year. Based on that you will probably recoupe the Hybrid Premium(cost of Hybrid vs Gas Escape) in about 12 years. Usually I insert some scarcastic comment here but I really just feel sorry for you.
The Hybrid Premium is about $5k. You can buy a lot of gas for $5,000.
Hybrids at this time are mostly HYPE and should be reserved for Taxis and other high milage uses.
The "hybrid premium" is now less than $5k. Also, you did not factor in the $2000 tax credit. (and any other state or local tax credits, which are common) Gasoline is $3/gallon, do you really think the price is going down over the next 3 to 4 years? Depending on the weather, its the 3 - 5 mile commute that is tough on the current FEH design, and anything over 5 miles is definitely able to use EV....but even at hiway speeds with the ICE running...its possible to get over 30mpg. [It is more than just the battery "reaching full charge"]
I haven't even mentioned the lower emissions. People don't "need" a hybrid...its a conscious choice. IMHO automobiles are not investiments so why are they constantly being judged on ROI? Did you do an ROI on every option you purchased on your last vehicle? Or did you just get something for reasons other than price?
And what about in a few years when FEH owners will be able to retrofit to a plug-in battery that allows 100% EV for the first 40 - 50 miles of any commute? At that point they will be getting over 120 mpg.
I couldn't agree with you more. While our brand new FEH is getting 23 MPG on my wife's short commutes, I've been getting 34 MPG on my highway trips. I anticipate that once the weather warms up, her short commutes should start to achieve the higher 20s MPG. When you combine the average fuel savings of about $1000 per year, plus the $3000 tax credit, it makes total sense on an economic test. Plus wouldn't the residual value on the FEH be higher than the conventional Escape?
Can you tell me more about the retrofit to a plug-in? I heard there is a company in Toronto that does this, but only if there is a large enough group of cars. The cost is $6000 per vehicle, so still a little high.
Many of the current products are just piggy-back extra batteries that take up all the space in the back of the FEH.......the Li-Ion retrofits will likely fit in the same space as the current HVBattery. [There are prototypes out there right now that can do this and get over 100mpg]
Drive during the day. Recharge overnight. Repeat. But it will be a few years....
Finally, AMT will not even allow you to receive partial credit as well.
If you see a car as an investment, you will be one disappointed investor...For some reason, as soon as I said I got a FEH, the first comments were on ROI. And then I get the overstated fuel consumption on non hybrid vehicles. The best one: I get 44 mpg with my Chevy Cobalt :P
Trust me, it was very close in percentage to that you are seeing in the FEH. And you are not alone, many many sob stories about how "lousy" the FEH is now that we have the traditional winter weather everywhere. But in reality....non-hybrid vehicles that get 17 to 20 mpg in the summer are now getting 13 - 16 because it is cold. That 25% drop would be comparable to the FEH getting 30 mpg in the summer and now getting 21 -24 mpg in the winter. To preserve the health of the HVBattery, allow for safe braking, and keep the emissions as low as possible.....the computer brain in the FEH runs the ICE for longer periods and allows less regenerative brakin in cold weather.
A 12 - 13 gallon fill is normal if the gauge reads near or on E. The tank will take 15 (or a little more) if it is fully drained, way past E.
Reset the mpg calculator often....and see if you can tell what part of your driving is really killing your FE. Have you adjusted your driving to the hybrid system yet?(more light braking, shifting to "L" to get into EV, etc.,etc.) Good Luck.
The owner's manual indicates that driving in L provides max regen braking. Is there a risk of wearing prematurely the cvt/regen braking system by driving constantly in L and/or at high speed?
To be safe, for slower trips, I'm in L and Hwy, I use D.
Google "low gear advantage" and "fake shift" with the words escape hybrid and you will some some lengthy dicussions on the subject of driving the FEH for optimum FE.