Overview & Reviews

As with the regular gasoline version, the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid gets an exterior makeover. Inside, the cabin has been updated to improve its appearance and functionality, and there's extra insulation to quiet the highway ride. Side and head curtain airbags are now standard, as are automatic climate control and an MP3 player input jack. The optional navigation system runs off a DVD instead of CDs this year and has a larger display with a touchscreen interface.

• Surprisingly powerful hybrid drivetrain, gets 30 mpg in the real world, comfortable interior with roomy backseat.

• Noisy four-cylinder engine, mediocre handling for a small SUV, stiff brake pedal, no stability control.

User Reviews:

Showing 71 through 80 of 89.00

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  Mean Green Machine - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By David - September 25 - 7:30 pm

  Just purchased this vehicle after owning 03 Escape v6. Ford did a really nice job on the interior/exterior redesign. Smooth, comfortable ride, great visibility. Only complaints I would voice is that there is an image of the light colored dash board reflected onto the windshield via glare in direct sunlight...strange thing indeed...perhaps tinting or some type of dash cover is the solution to that one. Also, Bluetooth absent on a very expensive (but nice) Nav system.

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  Traded my X5 - never looked back - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Denver - September 21 - 8:00 pm

  I drove a BMW X5 4.4 for five years prior to trading for the Escape Hybrid. Gas prices were part of my decision, and I honestly wanted to be one of the voices clamoring for Detroit to get with the program and invest in alternative powertrains. I loved the build quality and engineering excellence of the BMW. I expected that switching to a more pedestrian Ford was going to be full of compromise. Certainly, the finishes are less luxurious (recycled plastic instead of leather dash, fewer adjustments in the seating, etc), but overall, I have been quite satisfied. If I had it to do all over again, I would do it all over again.

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  We love our Escape Hybrid - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Bako - July 21 - 5:26 am

  We have owned our 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid for almost one year. It has been a great car. We have had no problems with it of any sort. I had a good test of the AWD last winter when traveling a lonely state highway in a full-on snowstorm. There was 3-4 inches of snow on the road and the Escape handled it beautifully. The Highway Partol closed the road right after I made it through due to other vehicles involved in accidents. Our milage is a very consistent 27 to 28 MPG, whether city or highway. In very hot weather the city mileage drops if the A/C cant be kept in the "economy" mode. If the A/C is not in "economy" the gas motor runs all the time. Great car! Buy it if you can find one!

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  Escape Hybrid hits the mark - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Kpick - June 17 - 9:43 am

  I picked up my 2008 Escape Hybrid one week ago. First impressions are excellent. Gas mileage is 36 mpg in mostly city driving. The leather interior is well done. The build quality is flawless. I traded a 2005 Honda Accord because I needed more interior room and better gas mileage. The Escape gave me both. Time will tell if the reliability will match Honda.

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  2008 Escape Hybrid Impression - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Terry - May 25 - 9:33 am

  I took another look at the Escape Hybrid because it is supposed to be improved in many ways, ride/handling in particular. Those factors, and the relatively cheap feel of the interior for the price, is why I didnt get one before. My impressions after a couple of weeks with my new 2008 are positive. Its much quieter. The handling, while still somewhat truck-like, is better sorted than the prior model. Its reasonably roomy and practical and gets great mileage. I was skeptical at first, but it really is a Have Your Cake and Eat It Too sort of vehicle.

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  Why did they scew up th enterior - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Seadog9 - May 15 - 2:50 am

  I replaced my 3 year old Escape with the 08 Hybrid. I immediately was disappointed with the interior changes. The heated seat button is on the side of the seat where you cant see it. You have to feel for it. The took out many of the little storage places and the center console/arm rest is hard to open when driving. The gas mileage is good, not great but good and it is a little quieter inside on the highway than my old one. I am very disappointed over all.

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  Great car! - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By jmd - April 6 - 12:10 am

  Ive only had my 08 Hybrid Escape for 3 weeks but so far it has been great. Im getting better than average mileage and have no complaints. It is fun to drive and easy to manuever in DC traffic. I traded in an 06 Honda Odyssey due to terrible gas mileage. Nothing but positives so far.

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  Not great in a cold climate - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By EyeOnAlaska - March 11 - 5:13 pm

  Bought my used 08 FEH awd for my move back to Alaska. Very disappointed with the mileage Im getting in a colder climate-averaging 21mpg all- around. Granted, thats ok for an SUV, but certainly doesnt live up to its billing. It very rarely goes into EV mode, and even when it does, the engine wont stay off sitting at a stoplight. This is in temperatures anytime below 20 F. Below 0 F, mpg drops into the mid teens and it sounds like a coffee grinder on steroids until it finally warms up. Almost a must to keep it in a heated garage. You have to be incredibly careful with the gas pedal to not kick it out of EV mode leaving a stoplight.

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  Great - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By rpecoraro - December 29 - 3:46 pm

  I have had this SUV for over a year now. Took it to Las Vegas in May averaged 26 mph going and 27 on the return trip over 4000 miles. Driving to and from work which is a 27 mile round trip I get 34 mpg, well over the 29 mpg on the sticker. On the downside in the winter I was only getting 25 mpg when it was below 30 degrees. I have not had any problems, just take it for oil changes. The book says every 10000 miles but I do it every 5000. Would buy it again.

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  Bulletproof after 65,000 - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By peter - November 19 - 9:36 am

  Comfortable and quiet, except for the buzzy engine when you accelerate hard. 2 1/2 years old now and flawless. Averaging about 28 overall, about 26 highway and 32 around town. If youre coming from a high-powered vehicle, you may not be happy with the slight lag in acceleration when you need to accelerate hard, but thats the only flaw with the system. I have a light foot; its supposed to learn how you drive, so maybe those with a heavy foot wont have a lag. 100% trouble free, normal maintenance only, which is not expensive. Rides much better with the Goodyear SR-A tires I put on. OE Continentals were hard as a rock. Great snow car. A very satisfied owner. Thanks Ford.