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 1 through 10 of 89.00

• 

  Should have bought the Highlander - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Disappointed - April 4 - 9:33 am

  I read all the reviews, drove most vehicles in this SUV/truck market and bought the escape because of the mileage and tales of better performance. Im not getting it, only 25 mpg. Im here to tell you buy a Toyota Highlander IF: you live out west and travel faster then 60, you want more cargo space and a better interior with more convience or you have anything to tow or haul. The 4 cyl gas engine and weak electric just dont cut it, it has to run at too high RPMs above 60 mph to deliver the mileage; in Montana the limit is 75! Last trip at that speed I got 22 mpg! Very disappointed! Everything else I read about it both good & bad has been listed by others; especially plug it in.

• 

  No Way in Snow States - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By Charles - June 13 - 2:50 am

  In cold weather I was getting down to 19-21 in city driving, 26 on highway. Never got over 24 in city, and I drove this by the textbook. Took off slowly, to stay in electric mode, people honked a lot at me on slow take off from lights. I chose fwd to save fuel, slipped all the time in the least amount of snow, got stuck twice in snow when other fwd cars drove by me. Then I read it has no traction control! The heavy battery in back throws off the weight balance advantage of fwd. Very frustrating experience! You in cold weather states need to beware! I traded to escape 4 cyl fwd, and similar mileage in cold temps and no slippage in snow, maybe ok in warm states. Not worth the extra $ for hybrid.

• 

  Typical Ford - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
  By CarGuy87 - September 28 - 7:33 am

  This Escape is a Fleet vehicle that gets a lot of use - 25k miles per year. I was initially very happy when the company bought the Escape. The first winter the wrench light kept coming on disabling traction control. The power steering periodically shuts off, which the manual calls "normal". Recently this triangle light has been coming on almost daily which indicates a serious problem with the Hybrid system. The shift had to be replace after something broke inside releasing the car from park, resulting in a co-worker getting run over by the car. The gas/elec transition is rough, and the gas engine is loud. I understand its feet and itll have problems - but this is ridiculous.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.