Latest news with #FordEscapeHybrid
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Shopping for a 2025 Ford Escape Hybrid? Here's What Experts Say You Should Look At Instead
While it remains a solid choice, some rivals offer clear advantages While most buyers think of Toyota or Honda when it comes to hybrids, Ford has been building them nearly as long, releasing the its first, the Ford Escape Hybrid, in 2004. For 2025, Ford still offers the Escape Hybrid as either a standard hybrid or as a plug-in hybrid. The standard hybrid comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that generate 192 horsepower through a continuously variable automatic transmission to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is available. On the Plug-In Hybrid, horsepower climbs to 210, but it only comes with front-wheel drive, along with an EPA-rated 37 miles of driving using only electricity. Both Escape Hybrids are rated to deliver 40 mpg in combined city/highway driving on regular unleaded fuel. Towing is rated up to 3,500 pounds with the optional Class II Trailer Tow Package. Ground clearance is 7.5 inches. But the Escape proves wholly unremarkable to drive. Worse, it's not as quick as its newer rivals. But both hybrid drivelines feel more refined than the non-hybrid three-cylinder Escape also offered, although it's fuel economy remains competitive. Inside, you'll find there's 102 cubic feet of passenger space and a spacious 34 cubic feet of cargo capacity, expanding to 61 cubic feet. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, but a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen is offered, but eliminates a number of physical controls and relocates the on screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. The interior offers good space, and the overall design is pleasing. But front seats feel flat and unsupportive, and the plastics and trim quality are something only an accountant could love. Coupled with the adequate but unremarkable driving experience, you might want to consider these alternatives. How do you make already good compact SUV better? Add a hybrid driveline. Such is the case with the Honda CR-V Hybrid. By adding two electric motors to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the result is 204 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 40 mpg with front-wheel drive, 37 mpg with all-wheel drive. Towing takes a hit, however, as the Hybrid is rated for a mere 1,000 pounds. But the CR-V Hybrid's other good points remain intact. It's a remarkably balanced SUV, expertly blending good handling and a reasonably comfortable ride, although it's not as fast as you'd expect. It offers a generous 104 cubic feet of passenger space, and 36 cubic feet of cargo space, down three cubic feet from non-hybrid CR-Vs. As on other CR-Vs, lower trim levels come with a minuscule 7-inch infotainment touchscreen; upper trim levels get a 9-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard. Certainly, it makes for a strong rival to Ford's aging Escape Hybrid. The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid receives a facial nip and tuck for 2025, along with more extensive revisions inside. Here, you'll find dual 12.3-inch screens, one for driver instrumentation, the other for an infotainment touchscreen. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging and USB-C charging ports are standard. An optional fingerprint authentication sensor on the instrument cluster allows the driver to start and vehicle without a smart key. The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offers up a spacious 108 cubic feet of passenger space and 39 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 75 cubic feet. The Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid provides 106 cubic feet of people space, and 32 cubic feet of cargo volume, expanding to 66 cubic feet. Still impressive. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor develop 231 horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The same driveline with a more powerful battery pack power the plug-in hybrid that delivers 32 miles of pure battery-electric range. All Tucson Hybrids return an EPA-rated 35 mpg except for the mileage-obsessed Blue Tim level, which gets 38 mpg. All use regular unleaded fuel. Ground clearance is 8.3 inches. This friendly family hauler proves frugal and fast enough for daily driving demands. Not sporty, but peppy and agile enough to be modestly engaging while providing a roomy, quiet cabin. Well done. Like the Honda CR-V Hybrid, the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid offers much of the same goodness as its conventionally-powered siblings. It still boasts an upscale-feel to its cabin, which offers up a 10.25-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging pad, and USB-C connection ports. Still, at 95 cubic feet, the cabin's smaller than some rivals, with a still-good 29 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 56 cubic feet. But the CX-50 Hybrid does makes up for it with an athletic, engaging driving experience. But the Hybrid isn't the fastest CX-50, although it's the most fuel efficient, due to its driveline, borrowed from the Toyota RAV4. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors generate 219 horsepower through a continuously variable transmission, while returning an EPA-rated 38 mpg on regular unleaded gasoline. All-wheel drive is standard. Ground clearance is 8.1 inches, although it's 7.8 inches for the Preferred trim. Towing is rated at 1,500 pounds. Foresters have always been sensible, no-nonsense vehicles, and the addition of a hybrid model makes it even more so. Its EPA-rated 35 mpg is five mpg more efficient than the standard Forester. And yes, it burns regular unleaded gasoline. Its 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine and two electric motors produce 194 horsepower, 14 more than the standard Forester. A continuously variable automatic transmission is standard, as is all-wheel drive. Towing is rated at 1,500 pounds. The Forester Hybrid isn't noticeably faster than its less powerful sibling. It's a very smooth driveline. But it runs out of steam on hills, however. But it does offer 8.7 inches of ground clearance. With 106.6 cubic feet of passenger space and a 27.5 cubic-foot cargo area, there's enough space for stuff. If that cargo hold is small, consider that it expands to 69 cubic feet. The instrument panel features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.6-inch vertically-oriented infotainment touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Function not flash is this vehicle's stock-in-trade, and that it delivers in spades. Offered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the big kahuna here, powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors that produce 219 horsepower through a continuously variable transmission to all four wheels. It's EPA-rated at 39 mpg using regular gasoline except for the off-road-oriented Woodlands Edition, which returns 37 mpg. But the Plug-In Hybrid is a different story, delivering a muscular 302 horsepower and a tow rating of 2,500 pounds, versus 1,750 pounds for the hybrid. And the Plug-In Hybrid will travel 42 miles solely on electricity. Ground clearance is 8.1 inches. Its tech package includes a standard 8-inch or optional 10.5-inch display is a bit smaller than today's norm. But it does include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Passenger space for both measures 99 cubic feet, while cargo space comes in at 38 cubic feet, five cubic feet more than the plug-in hybrid. Folding down the rear seats increases the Hybrid's space to 70 cubic feet, seven cubic feet more than the Plug-In Hybrid. But the latter offers greater acceleration, which will be more important for some drivers. The 2025 Ford Escape Hybrid has a lot of positives, including a roomy cabin, competitive but not class-leading fuel economy, and a pleasant driving experience with a top tow rating. But the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid tops it in fuel economy, the Honda CR-V Hybrid tops it for space, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid tops it for style, and the Mazda CX-50 tops it for driving fun. The Subaru Forester Hybrid offers a different personality, even if its numbers aren't always tops-in-class, Regardless, all of the compact hybrid SUVs offer a combination of fuel efficiency, utility and comfort that's hard to resist. And a couple are even fun-to-drive.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
6 Hybrid Vehicles To Stay Away From Buying
Not all hybrid cars are created equal. While some models offer excellent fuel efficiency, reliability and performance, others fall short. With so many options, it can be tough to separate the good from not-as-good. Up Next: For You: The seven models covered in this article, despite their eco-friendly appeal, have demonstrated various issues that potential buyers should be aware of — and possibly just avoid. Also, check out the four best hybrid vehicles for frugal budgets here. The 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid is a fuel-efficient SUV that offers great fuel economy, but it has also been reported to have a few significant issues. The SUV's transmission is one of the most commonly reported problems. Owners have reported experiencing rough, abrupt shifting and some have had to rebuild or replace the whole transmission. Be Aware: 'The Pathfinder Hybrid models from these years experienced problems with their braking systems and electrical issues,' said Giranda. 'Some owners reported less responsive brakes, which is a major safety concern. Additionally, electrical glitches in the infotainment and navigation systems were common, detracting from the overall reliability of the vehicle.' Owners have reported several other common problems with the Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid model including shuddering and vibration when shifting. There have also been reports of the vehicle not accelerating after a panic stop. This hybrid was a draw for its speed, but the severity of the recalls were not a good tradeoff. The primary problem seen was the lack of drainage under the battery which caused it to short circuit and in some cases catch on fire. 'VW determined water could enter without the rear hatch open because the sunroof drains and rear lid seals weren't assembled correctly,' according to VWProblems. In addition, there was a recall for a missing clip for the brake pedal pivot pin which allowed the brake pedal to come off and another for a leak in the fuel injection system. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is the only plug-in hybrid minivan on the market. Despite its practicality and above-average EV range, it's been reported to have multiple recalls and issues with its hybrid battery. Another issue commonly reported by owners is with the electrical system, which could be a significant concern considering the hybrid nature of the vehicle. Owners love the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu for its spacious interior and excellent fuel economy. But some owners have reported engine failures and problems with the fuel sensor. There have also been reports of issues with reduced power, which could potentially lead to dangerous situations on the road. Additionally, there have been six recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, including one for leaking transmission fluid. Despite some positive reviews, the overall consensus points to reliability issues with this vehicle. The 2017 BMW X5 hybrid is a luxury SUV with strong performance and a luxurious cabin. According to reviews on Edmunds, the vehicle offers a comfortable ride and sporty handling. However, owners have reported having issues with the brakes, such as experiencing pulsation or vibration, and problems with the antilock system and calipers, squeaking and brake failure. More From GOBankingRates Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper-Middle Class in 2025 The Money You Need To Save Monthly To Retire Comfortably in Every State 7 Tax Loopholes the Rich Use To Pay Less and Build More WealthThis article originally appeared on 6 Hybrid Vehicles To Stay Away From Buying
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I'm a Mechanic: 5 Hybrid Vehicles I Would Never Buy and Why They Aren't Worth It
Hybrid cars have come a long way since the Toyota Prius in 2000. But still, not all hybrids today offer fuel efficiency and reliable performance — the wrong model could end up hurting your budget more than helping. Learn More: Try This: To get an expert's perspective, GOBankingRates spoke with Mateo, a car mechanic with over ten years of experience. According to him, some hybrids are actually more trouble than they're worth. Here are five hybrid vehicles he would think twice before buying. The Ford Escape Hybrid may seem like a pretty solid pick at first, since it offers decent fuel economy and plenty of cargo space. But, according to Mateo, older models — especially those between 2005 and 2012 — come with a major flaw: They have a weak hybrid battery system that's expensive to replace. 'I've seen so many of these come in with failing battery packs,' he explained. 'Replacing them can cost up to, and sometimes over, $5,000, which is more than what some of these older models are worth today.' Apart from battery problems, these models could also have transmission problems and electrical failures, which makes them quite risky if you're looking for a car that could last a long time. Check Out: Nissan entered the hybrid SUV market with the Rogue Hybrid, but it didn't take long for them to quietly discontinue it. And for good reason. 'This was one of those hybrids that just didn't really make sense to me,' Mateo said. 'The fuel economy gains were barely noticeable compared to the standard Rogue, and the hybrid system itself had so many software and transmission issues.' On top of that, the parts for the Rogue Hybrid will be harder to get since it was discontinued, which means your repair costs in the future could be even higher. If you're considering a hybrid sedan, the Chevy Malibu Hybrid might be one you're thinking about buying. It has solid gas mileage and offers a pretty smooth ride. But Mateo believes it's not a smart buy. 'The problem with the Malibu Hybrid is that it has a weak resale value and limited support for repairs,' he explained. 'GM didn't commit to hybrids the way Toyota or Honda did, so finding mechanics who specialize in these cars can be kinda hard.' Another thing to be aware of is that Malibu Hybrids rely on a complicated start-stop system that could wear down over time and lead to expensive repairs down the line. Hyundai has made improvements with newer hybrid models, but earlier versions of the Sonata Hybrid had tons of engine issues. Mateo said one of the biggest complaints he's seen with this car is transmission failure. 'Hyundai had a lot of problems with their hybrid system in the early days,' he explained. 'The transmission and hybrid components weren't that great, and a lot of owners ended up dealing with expensive replacements before hitting 100,000 miles.' Like the other hybrids on this list, Mateo isn't a fan of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, since it's a maintenance nightmare. 'The Pacifica Hybrid has had multiple recalls related to its battery and electrical system,' Mateo said. 'Some of my customers with this car have had to deal with stalling issues and charging problems.' Hybrids are a great way to save on gas and protect the environment, but not every hybrid is a good investment. Do your research beforehand and ask a car expert for advice before committing to one. You can also find reviews online from people who've purchased certain hybrid cars to see how they hold up over time. 'If you want a hybrid that lasts, I'd recommend sticking with brands that have been doing it for years,' Mateo said. 'I think that Toyota and Honda hybrids hold their value pretty well and tend to be much less of a headache when it comes to repairs.' More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on I'm a Mechanic: 5 Hybrid Vehicles I Would Never Buy and Why They Aren't Worth It
