The most anticipated Ford launch in a good long time! Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – May 19, 2019 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid It’s Back and It’s Better Than Ever!!! Ford is about to do something we have wished for almost a decade. That is, it is finally bringing back the Escape Hybrid and an all-new Plug-in Hybrid variant to round out its latest SUV/CUV offerings ranging from the compact Eco-Sport to the range topping and soon to be available 2020 Explorer Hybrid. Between 2004 and 2012, 114,000 Escape Hybrids were sold. Many to members here today! The two all-new hybrids; a standard hybrid and a plug-in hybrid is targeting best-in-class EPA-estimated range of more than 550 miles and a pure-electric range of 30+ miles respectively. The Escape debuted as the world’s first hybrid SUV in 2005 and will be brought back to the lineup with the latest driver assist technologies including on and off-road drive modes plus on-board connectivity and the very latest infotainment. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Exterior A shield-shaped trapezoidal grille was massaged right from the Mustang while the lower front fascia was pulled from the award-winning Super Car, the GT. And like any new generation offering, the all-new Escape is lower, wider and longer with a more steeply raked roofline, aero tuned rear spoiler and strake, and underbody panels yielding the most aerodynamic Escape ever produced. With an all-new chassis and body design, the Escape lost more than 200 pounds from the current model thank to the use of higher-strength steels and aluminum in the hood and suspension components. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Titanium Interior 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Drivetrains New powertrains and transmission systems, a reduction in weight, improved aerodynamics and updated suspension system all contribute to one undeniable fact: this is the best-performing, The SE Sport and Titanium trimmed Escapes arrive with Ford’s fourth-gen hybrid System including an all-new heavily atkinsonized 2.5L I4 is mated to an electronic continuously variable transmission similar to Toyota’s hybrid system providing 198 combined HP. The FWD hybrid has a top speed of 85 mph in electric-only mode. The plug-in hybrid variant, available on every trim level except S and SE Sport, projects a best-in-class EPA-estimated range of at least 30 miles in electric-only mode. Escape Plug-In Hybrid will include a std. Level 1 (120V household plug) / Level 2 AC (240V) charging port. Using a 110-volt Level 1 charge, the estimated time to fully charge the battery is 10 to 11 hours. Using a 240-volt Level 2 charge time drops to 3.5 hours. The all-new Escape Hybrid includes an all-new liquid-cooled Li-Ion battery located below the second-row seats. The battery in the standard hybrid is just one-third the size of the old Escape Hybrid battery! Unfortunately, the traction battery location excludes the non-hybrids sliding second row seat function. The Hybrid features four EV modes including Auto EV, the vehicle decides whether to run on gas or electric power, EV Now, all-electric with sufficient State of Charge (SOC) for short distances, EV Later mode, only gas-powered driving to conserve electric miles, and EV Charge where drivers can refill the pack while driving. There are structural limitations on the std. Hybrid with these modes but not the Plug-in Hybrid. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Features Titanium trim Escapes will include an all-new heads-up display that projects information onto a 6-inch screen in the lower front windscreen. I have never found HUDs to be particularly useful but some may? The all-new Escape comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 plus other optional driver-assist features including Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane-Centering. Evasive Steering Assist, a new driver assist function from Ford, detects a slower-moving or stationary vehicle ahead and provides steering support that can assist the driver to avoid an imminent collision. FordPass Connect is a standard feature that provides 4G LTE Wi-Fi for up to 10 mobile devices with compatible wireless subscription service. Something most will forego as their smartphones offer at least 5-connections as a Wi-Fi Hot Spot. FordPass Connect also gives drivers remote access to their Escape, allowing them to use their smartphone to lock, unlock, locate and start the vehicle, as well as monitor key vehicle diagnostics. Drivers and passengers can keep compatible mobile devices charged with an available wireless Qi charging pad in the front center console. Also available are type A and type C USB charging ports as well as three 12-volt charging sockets. An 8-inch touch screen – standard on SE models and above – shares information with the available 12.3-inch all-digital and customizable instrument cluster with 3D animated graphics to indicate the drive mode. Available SYNC 3 is compatible with available features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa and Waze navigation. For music lovers, Escape offers an available 575-watt 10-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Where did you want to go today? Ford has an answer for that. The all-new Escape Hybrid, available in SE and Titanium trims, will be built at the brands Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky. Vehicles are due to reach showrooms this fall. The Plug-in hybrid Escapes are due to arrive in showrooms in the Spring of 2020.
Hi All: A short competitive comparison in case anyone is interested... The three vehicles in this segment I would expect people to cross shop would be the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid, 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and 2019 Subaru Crosstrek PHEV-17. I would emphasize the Escape PHEV-30+ but its full specs are not out yet and it will not be available for almost a year. Let us consider the Wheelbases, Passenger and Cargo Volumes behind the second row, and weight. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid: 106.7 in -- 104.0/30.7 (cu. ft.) -- 3,554/3,706 FWD/AWD (lbs) 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 105.9 in -- 98.9/37.6 (cu. ft.) -- 3,755 AWD (lbs) 2019 Subaru Crosstrek PHEV-17: 104.9 in -- 100.7/15.9 (cu. ft.) -- 3,726 AWD (lbs) The 2020 Ford Escape PHEV-30+ is going to lose some of its 30.7 cu. ft. cargo volume when they place the larger Li-Ion beneath the cargo floor. EPA for the Escape is still not published but with a 550 mile expected range from the published 14.2 gallon tank, this yields a possible 39 mpgUS combined rating vs the RAV4 Hybrids 41/38/40 mpgUS and Subaru Crosstrek PHEV-17s 36/35/35 mpgUS city/highway/combined ratings. The Crosstrek PHEV in Hybrid only mode of course. The 2019 Kia Niro HEV/PHEV is also a contender if on-road activities were the only consideration. 2019 Kia Niro HEV: 106.3 in. -- 100.9/19.4 (cu. ft.) -- 3,199 lbs and its sky high 51/46/49 mpgUS city/highway/combined rating. Wayne
Curious to know the ground clearance (probably the same from 2019 -- 7.9"?) and the towing capacity of the PHEV (1750# would be nice*),... /a 39 mpg(?) PHEV30 isn't going to burn much gas, .. probably 100 to 300 gal/year for most people -- less than 25% of what the same "standard 24 mpg version" of this vehicle would use in 2018. // we'll see on the future pricing (vehicle and gasoline), .. but the 2020 Escape could very well have payback for the phev30 upgrade in under 5 years of operating costs /// remember the Saturn Vue PHEV??(what the Volt was supposed to be) -- so Ford is finally finishing the job for GM -- only 13 years later *edit -- "The Escape with a 1.5-liter engine can tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped; those with the 2.0-liter model can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The hybrids are limited to 1,500 pounds." https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/2020-ford-escape-preview/
I think the Niro would work best for me because I dig the lighter weight and don't need AWD. That 30.7 cu ft of cargo space is impressive, though, for the Ford. Rear seat down cargo specs are of more interest to me. Any EPA mileage figures are immediately suspect for it, of course. It has that history.
2020MY Escape vs. 2019MY Escape - MSRP Price Comparison 2019MY Escape S FWD - MSRP $24,105 2020MY Escape S FWD - MSRP $24,885 2020MY Escape S 4WD - MSRP $26,385 (New Model) 2019MY Escape SE FWD - MSRP $26,500 2020MY Escape SE FWD - MSRP $27,095 2019MY Escape SE AWD - MSRP $28,000 2020MY Escape SE AWD - MSRP $28,595 2020MY Escape SE Sport FWD - MSRP $28,255 (New Model) Hybrid 2020MY Escape SE Sport AWD - MSRP $29,755 (New Model) Hybrid 2019MY Escape SEL FWD - MSRP $28,445 2020MY Escape SEL FWD - MSRP $29,255 2019MY Escape SEL AWD - MSRP $29,945 2020MY Escape SEL AWD - MSRP $30,755 (301A) 2020MY Escape SEL AWD - MSRP $33,040 (2.0L w/301A) 2019MY Escape Titanium FWD - MSRP $32,620 2020MY Escape Titanium FWD - MSRP $33,402 (Hybrid 400A) 2019MY Escape Titanium AWD - MSRP $34,120 2020MY Escape Titanium AWD - MSRP $34,900 (Hybrid 400A) 2020MY Escape Titanium AWD - MSRP $36,685 (401A) All 2020MY Escape Models - Destination & Delivery = $1,095
Read elsewhere that the hybrid has a 1500# tow rating; it has less system power than the Rav4. The PHEV may not lose cargo space, but may be FWD only.
I want one so bad, but being the cheap SOB I am, I want one 3 years old for 1/2 the price of a new one like my old FEH. I haven't bought a replacement for the FEH yet, but I doubt I can daily drive my pickup and Grandpa's car for 3 years waiting.
Hi All: My favorite part besides the possible 39 mpgUS combined rating is it is one hell of a nice looking compact SUV. Ford's best SUV offering in history imho. The car like front end and gently massaged C-Pillar with the thicker chrome DLO chrome trim at the rear is a more upscale than any of the floating roof designs on new Nissan and Toyota's which I am also a fan of. The rear spoiler and rear window rake actually looks sexy to me. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Wayne
Hi All: January 10th is on the schedule when we will hopefully receive our turn behind the wheel of a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid SE Sport. I am not sure if it will be a FWD (44/37 mpg) or AWD (43/37 mpg) variant? My fingers are crossed that the EPA is actually right in line where it should be. A 67.5 mph EPA highway (37 mpg) crossover is the target anyway. I have heard very little about the all-new 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid since its release. Anyone hear anything good or bad lately? It is lighter and larger than the 2019/2020 RAV4 AWD Hybrid I just got out of and more efficient around town per the EPA. 43 vs 41 mpg as an AWD. Wayne
When I checked a couple weeks ago, the only dealer near me with a Escape hybrid listed on their site had it as in transit.
Hi All: With a bar setting 44/37/41 mpg city/highway/combined rating, the redesigned FWD Ford Escape Hybrid is going to do some things. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid The front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid’s outstanding fuel efficiency is bolstered by an EPA-estimated 582-mile driving range on a single tank of fuel. As an AWD the Escape Hybrid provides owners with a 43/37/40 mpg city/highway/combined rating leading to 568 miles of single tank range. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid arrives with a standard 12.3” digital instrument cluster on SE Sport and Titanium trims. The all-new Escape Hybrid packages its liquid-cooled Li-Ion battery below the second-row seats rather than occupying a significant portion of the cargo area. The briefcase-shaped battery is approximately one-third the size of the NiMH battery in the first Escape Hybrid, which was the world’s first-ever hybrid SUV when it debuted in 2004. 2020 Ford Escape HEV/PHEV EPA Volume and Curb Weight Total passenger vol. (cu. ft.): 104/104 Cargo vol. behind first row (cu. ft.): 60.8/60.8, a loss of 4.6 cu. ft. from the non-hybrid Cargo vol. behind second row (cu. ft.): 30.7/30.7, a loss of 2.8 cu. ft. from the non-hybrid Max cargo vol. behind second row w/ seats forward (cu. ft.): 34.4/34.4, a loss of 3.1 cu. ft. from the non-hybrid Curb Weight: Escape HEV (FWD/AWD) 3,554 lbs./3,706 lbs. and Escape PHEV at 3,884 lbs. (FWD only) Now let us compare the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid to the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (AWD only) Total passenger volume (cu. ft.): 104 vs 98.9 cu. ft. Behind second row 30.7 or 34.4 vs. 37.6 cu. ft. Curb Weight HEV AWD: 3,706 lbs. vs 3,710 to 3,800 lbs. depending on trim. The 2020 Ford Escape PHEV will arrive with 30+ miles from its plug. Ford has not yet released an official spec just yet. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 PHEV all-electric range was announced in LA at 39-miles. Since we are comparing, let’s get into the nooks, cranny’s and crevices… 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid AWD vs 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD MSRPS 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid AWD - $29,255 + $1,195 D&H = $30,450 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD - $28,100 + $1,120 D&H = $29,220 The 2020 Ford Escape SE Sport Hybrid (43/37/40 mpg city/highway/combined) arrives with the following equipment standard: 10-Way Power Driver and 4-Way Manual Passenger front heated seats Leather-wrapped wheel Power Windows with Driver's Front One-Touch Down (Driver's Only) 12.3" Full digital instrument cluster - Not available on the RAV4 Hybrid 8” Central display w/ SYNC3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Sirius XM Auto climate 3 (12V) outlets, one in front, one rear, and one cargo and (2) 2.1A USB ports 60/40 split-fold down rear seats Second-row sliding seats - Not available on the RAV4 Hybrid Overhead console with sunglasses storage Auto headlamps Safety: Post-Collision Braking, Curve Control, Pre-Collision Assist, Auto Emergency Braking, Lane-Keep System, BSM, and RCTA, and Auto High-Beam Towing: 1,500 lbs. Hybrid system warranty: 8 years/100k miles The 2020 Toyota RAV4 LE Hybrid (41/38/40 mpg city/highway/combined) arrives with the following major equipment either not included or lacking vs the Ford Escape Hybrid SE Sport: LED Headlamps vs Ford Escape Hybrid's Halogens Dual Auto-climate vs Escape Hybrids Single Auto Climate 6-way manual adjustable front driver's; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat vs Ford Escape Hybrids 10-way power drivers’ seat and both front seats heated Plastic Poly wheel vs Ford Escape Hybrid's Leather Wrapped wheel Overhead console with maplights, sunglasses storage Power windows with auto up/down and jam protection in all positions vs Ford Escape Hybrid’s Driver's only auto up/down (1) 12V outlet vs Ford Escape Hybrid’s (3) 12V outlets 7" central display vs Ford Escape Hybrid’s 8” floating central display Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Auto High Beams (AHB), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Road Sign Assist (RSA) Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) vs Ford Escape Hybrid’s std. CC Hybrid battery: 10-years/150k miles warranty vs. Ford Escape Hybrid’s 8 years/100k miles warranty Towing: 1,750 lbs vs Ford Escape Hybrid’s 1,500 lbs. ******************************* All-in, Ford is offering a very competitive and super efficient compact Hybrid SUV for the masses. The std. 12.3" all-digital driver display is to die for. As in a $60K + luxury vehicle like display. Heated and powered driver front seats are also a nice std. addition as is the sliding second row, BSM and RCTA. I wish RCC was std. but it has to be purchased with the Premium Package for $3,395 which includes 19" alloys, power rear liftgate, Panoramic roof, embedded NAVI, and DRCC. That is a lot of Benjamin's for that feature list. I also suspect much deeper discounts on the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid vs the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid within the next year as well. Wayne
Sadly, the Ford PHEV loses 3 gallons from its gas tank, with an 11 gallon capacity vs. 14 for the hybrid. (I just checked on the Ford site. )
Hi Bill: I suspect the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime will lose some fuel capacity as well? Maybe not however as the Prius and Prius Prime have the same tanks. Prime is actually spec'ed with an additional .1 gallon more fuel in fact. Wayne
Hi All: Looking into the EPA data sheets, the FWD/AWD Ford Escape HEV vs the AWD RAV4 HEV looks like this: _MY_____Make and Model___Eng Displ_Cyl_Trans___CCity/Hwy/Comb___City/Hwy/Comb Unadj____City/Hwy/Comb before rounding 2020__Ford Escape FWD HEV___2.5____4___Auto_______44/37/41_________61.4/55.0/58.3_______________43.5/37.4/40.5 2020__Ford Escape AWD HEV___2.5____4___Auto_______43/37/40_________59.7/54.1/57.0_______________42.5/36.9/39.8 2020__Toyota RAV4 AWD HEV___2.5____4___Auto_______41/38/40_________57.6/53.7/55.8_______________41.0/38.2/40.2 Wayne
For decades, Hyundai served UP reduced sized gas tanks. The present 2020 Elantra 14 gal. tank is somewhat larger than the pre-2017 Elantra 12.8 gal. tank. However, the 2006 Accent 11.4 gal. tank is not much smaller than the present 2020 Accent 11.9 gal. tank. Check the Ford PHEV gas tank. Once the first click occurs on the fuel pump cut-off, fill slowly to see if the Hybrid can accept the full 14 gallons. The 2011 Chevy Eco-Cruze was specified to have a 12+ gallon tank, whereas the other model Cruze cars had a 15+ gal. tank. Chevy did that, so the EPA would test the Eco-Cruze with a "full" tank of 12+ gallons, therefore testing the Eco-Cruze with less weight. However, slow filling the Eco-Cruze, it would accept the full standard gas tank capacity of 15+ gallons.
New 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Advert… Stretching a bit but not out of the ordinary for a car advert. Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – January 10, 2020 Built Street Smart With a new 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Titanium AWD in the drive as of 11:00 AM, Ford decided that today it will begin its multi-channel national ad campaign for the all-new 2020 Escape, with more volume, 360-degrees of driver-assist technologies, and a new hybrid option. Called “Built Street Smart,” Escape’s ad highlights some of the class leading attributes of the all-new 2020 Ford Escape. Breaking Bad’s Brian Cranston performs the voiceover in the adverts. The all-new Escape introduces new sliding second-row seats in the non-hybrid models that enable as much as 37.5 cu. ft. of cargo volume with the seats still up and moved forward. Thanks to its standard Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist technologies, including Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Escape earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It missed the Plus rating with average and poor ratings for headlamps side to side coverage. 2020 Ford Escape – Small Overlap IIHS Crash Test Excellent results imho. Active Park Assist 2.0 parallel parks the car itself. I have never used it and doubt I will but it is in there. As previously mentioned above, the 2020 Ford Escape and Escape Hybrid are available today, with the Escape PHEV arriving this spring. Which brings us back to what just arrived. 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid AWD in Titanium Trim A better looking vehicle than its primary competitor, the RAV4 Hybrid. In addition, the full length Pano roof is an attribute I am quickly beginning to accept as a near luxury appointment. The Titanium trimmed Escape Hybrid arrived with it vs only a std. sunroof offered on the RAV4 Hybrid. I do not have a Monroney so I will have to dig into the online details to see what it is and is not equipped with. First impressions are driver seating is superb. Rear seat passenger room is a little tight. A strange USB like port and 12V are not enough. Center console holds the USB data and charging port. For the life of me, I cannot find a SoC display? That is going to cause a ton of problems with the steady states later this weekend. Android Auto fired up without a hiccup as expected. Driver and central touchscreen displays are high resolution and colorful making them easy to read. It has a large amount of caster creating a heavier than expected on center feel or the EPS has been tuned to make it feel that way? When cold, the ICE firing up is louder than the Toyota RAV4 but settles down some once warmed up. The Electric drive is also very strong allowing heavier acceleration than competitors before the ICE firing up. A first impression anyway? It may just be throttle tip-in. I will get more into that as the week progresses. The Garmin and Cell Phone holder are mine of course. $95 Grocery run shows off the Escape Hybrids 34.4 cu. ft. of cargo volume quite well. The capless refueling port is going to cause me issues forcing me to complete an extraordinarily long calibration drive over numerous days and hundreds of miles. Wayne
Sorry to point out the following: Your knowledge that extra weight BEV battery packs are best when designed to be low in EVs, has not fully carried over to your vehicle grocery storage habits. ALL the heavy weight canned pops should be lowest & lighter weight breads, cakes, crackers & eggs should be on top. Also, the adage that "You've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette", does not apply in packing.
