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-
Very Good SUV hybrid - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
By vincenc08 - December 19 - 5:50 pm2008 Kiwi green Escape Hybrid has been a very good SUV. Had is for 3 yrs and 71K mi ...reliability is very good only a few minor build issues. Good interior room and surprising storage with 2 nd row folded down. Gas mileage is over 32 mpg on HIway 33 city. Sotck tire have ltos of road noise after 30K mi. Eco seat material stains easily...hard to keep clean. There is a way to get them replaced but you really have to dig on the internet. Overall a very good SUV if you can live with some minor quirks.
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Looks great and drives even better - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
By Happy Camper - December 18 - 2:33 amSo far, I love my new hybrid. It drives like a dream and the gas (in town) is about 34 mpg, pretty good for an AWD SUV. No complaints.
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Glad to go green - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
By thor59 - August 27 - 8:20 amTraded in a 2005 Turbo Diesel for the Hybrid. Best decision Ive made in a long time. Actually got 41 miles to the gallon in the city yesterday. Quite a difference from fifteen. Ill never buy anything but a hybrid again. Love the Ford, totally impressed, get one.
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Great Little SUV, commuter only - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
By bartimus - May 18 - 7:06 amJust a couple 100 miles on it now, getting better than the EPA sticker so far! Due to weight savings, lots of plastic, interior feels a little cheap. Front grille came loose/off the 1st week and needs to go back to dealer. Coming from a Volvo XC90 the Ford ride is lighter, peppier (feels like a V6), way less room. Dont expect to fit 3 child seats in the back seat. We can barely fit a car seat, a booster, and our 6 year old in a seatbelt, its very cramped back there. Zero cargo room. Without NAV system so all hybrid info is on the dash near odo. The 3 hybrid info buttons are in a bad spot to the left of the wheel, (should be on the steering wheel). Stereo/climate buttons are confusing.
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Well worth the money - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
By EHF - May 17 - 4:26 pmI now have over 8500 miles on this car since June 07, including several 400+ mile trips. Gas mileage has been better than advertised, averaging over 34 miles per gallon composite city and highway driving (I do drive with economy in mind and have filled my tires with dry nitrogen which also helps economy). The ride remains very smooth, comfortable, and tight. Acceleration when required is good. Handling is quick and nimble (that doesnt make it a sports car though) and there is still no sign of tip-up while cornering. This vehicle continues to be everything I had hoped for and more, thank you Ford for making it available and please build more hybrids for us (e.g., a Ford Fusion Hybrid).
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Escape Diebrid not Hybrid - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
By scoobykk - May 10 - 9:45 amThis vehicle has the potential to die on you while driving or parked. There are problems with the parts below that you should be aware of before purchasing. Repair is very expensive. FORD nor your dealership will inform you of known potential problems. For FORD 05-07 owners, these parts are known to fail so get them checked out before the BtoB warranty expires. 1. MOTOR cooling system water pump pn# (5m6z8c419a) TSB (Technical Service Bulletin ) # 07-25-12. 2. The Blend air door actuator applications pn# (8L8Z19E616E), will also probably need to be replaced.
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2008 Escape My Experience - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
By Tim Weisert - April 2 - 3:36 pmThe ride is smoother than I expected. The continously variable transmission is great. Transitions from electric to gas and gas to electric are almost not perceived. If it fits in your budget the luxury package is great especially the display features.
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Best car Ive ever owned - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
By Linda - March 2 - 9:53 pmI absolutely love this vehicle. It gets great gas mileage for an SUV (about the same as my 06 Hyundai Accent, which is a really small car). Its fun to see how much gas you can save. I love the sun roof and how much it brightens up the cabin. I only wish it had the navigation. The exterior is stylish and its a small SUV with a big look. Best car Ive ever purchased. Ill probably get another when this one dies. I hated Ford vehicles before this, now I think Ford is great!
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Hybrid vs. Quality - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
By jeb - August 28 - 3:20 amI was determined to buy a hybrid and I guess I was lucky to get one but I had to pay a premium for it. I am not sure it was worth it - I think you give up quality in other areas. I will have to say that the quality is no where near as nice as the Expedition I had prior. Some of the interior and exterior portions of the car are cheap plastic and scratch very easy. have a fully loaded model except for the navigation system. I am getting about 25 miles to the gallon but if you like to stay cool during the summer months forget driving in electric mode - the one thing they dont tell you is you wont go electic with the AC on even in econ mode!
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Great Vehicle, Stellar MPG - 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
By Mikey533 - June 8 - 10:20 pmI have been watching the Escape Hybrid since it came out in 2005. I have read a lot of reviews, and knew to wait until after 1000 miles to check MPG. Also, have read enough to know that cold weather drops MPG, but that is the cost of living someplace cold. I set the cruise on my 35 minute highway drive to work at 70 for the first month and averaged 32.5 MPG. Second month I set the cruise at 65 and it jumped to 34.5. Add in the city driving and I get around 35.5. I had to rush home one day, and it really does move like a V-6 when you stomp on it. I rode in a 2006 a few times before, and again after, buying mine, and the 2008 is quiet. Engine rev noise only when it is working real hard
