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 81 through 89 of 89.00

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  What a gem! - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By bigbearvo - August 5 - 12:20 am

  I cannot believe I have the good fortune to own this beauty. I waited over 3 months, but it was way worth it. This may be the best vehicle Ford has ever designed and built. Its comfortable, controls are intuitive and well laid out, documentation is excellent, and that sweet silence when you come to a stop is sublime. Most impressive is how much roominess is built into the interior for a small suv. I couldnt be happier or more impressed.

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  Happy - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Trekker9044 - July 28 - 11:40 am

  I have had this vehicle a few weeks and so far I am very happy with what I got for the money spent. The items that are noted as cons in the Edmunds review do hold true, but are not that big of deal in looking at the vehicle overall. I think the Escape handles well for an SUV and I enjoy driving it. The interior is nice and the cab is fairly quiet except when the engine is excellerating. I have only filled the tank on this vehicle 3 times so far. The first time I got 26mpg and the last two times I got 30mpg. This is a combo of freeway and city driving. I even drove it up the steep hills of San Francisco with three adults in it and still got 30mpg with good power.

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  2008 Escape Hybrid AWD w/ Premium Package - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By TahoeJimRocks - July 7 - 9:00 am

  Had the Escape for 2 months with 2K miles on it. Mileage is excellent 25.5mpg lowest during break in, highest 36.6 on 300 mile trip. Very short hops kill your mileage (less than 5 mi). Nav system is easy to use. GPS is very accurate. Audiophile sound system is great. Side step rails are no assistance getting in the car because there is no grab handles in the interior. Very comfortable leather seats - seat warmers are a must in cold climate. 110 AC plug is great - no power adapter needed for iPod, finally an audio jack in dash. Usual wind noise with moon roof. Since batteries are in real storage area under deck there is a lack of storage. Roof side rails are plastic and flimsy.

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  Feeling High End Green - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Andy Rosamilia - June 29 - 7:30 am

  It is everything I wanted and I feel so good about helping the environment. The mileage is still improving at 29.8 MPG. I have 4x4 for winter and offroad driving and the features are top shelf.

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  2008 Hybrid Escape - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Dad Fish - May 23 - 8:13 am

  I love this vehicle (I traded a Chevrolet Suburban), especially the gas mileage. It rides smoothly, has good torque for passing and merging, and is a pleasure to look at in the driveway. I miss the room of my Suburban - but not the terrible gas mileage (14-15 MPG). The one thing that I dont think was engineered well is the rear hatch and glass. It rattles and is not sound proofed well at all. Also, the door windows could have used better guides - they rattle in the door when you close it if they are not rolled all the way up. Other than those two minor gropes, this vehicle is designed well and built with quality workmanship. I would definitely buy it again.

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  Automotive Breakthrough - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Joseph - May 5 - 11:03 pm

  I purchased my 2008 last summer, and have no regrets. Weve had the orange wrench light come on a few times though. Although there were no observable problems, they had to replace cooling fans, motors, etc. I suspect the system detects potential problems quickly. I get around 37MPG in winter, and 33MPG in summer (with AC running most of the time (Tucson, AZ)). Theres a squeak sound coming from a motor somewhere. It sounds like a clutch engaging/disengaging. They repaired it once by replacing the AC motor, but it has returned. Im due for my 20k soon, so Ill have them check it at that time.

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  Way to Go Ford - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Bud - April 21 - 7:13 am

  About 6000 mi so far. 30.5 mpg on recent drive CT to FL, AC on all the way. Ford needs to build more of these, keep size the same, keep refinning, go plug in to increase mileage. Very quiet interior and roomy. Love it.

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  Pleased with 2008 Escape Hybrid - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By George S - January 17 - 11:03 am

  I bought this for the boss to replace a mini-van we outgrew. We wanted to downsize but not give up comfort and the ability to haul stuff from time to time. Oh yes, we wanted to use less gas as well. The Escape Hybrid did all these things for us. It gets a consistent 30MPG which certainly meets our expectations. We have not had any trouble with it whatsoever. Frankly, I didnt expect it to be this good but Ford, so far, has exceeded my expectations with regard to reliability. As an engineer, I appreciate and respect this as a technological achievement. The shop manuals for it have been enlightening and entertaining. To the boss its "push this to go; this to stop". It works for both of us.

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  2008 Escape - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By drdan3 - January 15 - 7:53 am

  I have had the 08 Escape for over two weeks now. Cons: *Body style very trucky - personal opinion but trying to emulate Explorers isnt a selling point for me. The windshield (and entire front end) could be swept back - perhaps improving the aerodynamics and MPG. *Interior - climate control buttons are confusing. Recirculate gets disconnected when using footwarming vents; seems to have a mind of its own. Also the buttons are very small, should have stuck with rotary dial * No grab handles - curtain airbags seems to have made them disappear - no where to hang my dry cleaning * No Bluetooth available - I bought a TomTom 910 for both Bluetooth & GPS.