![]() So why does the Escape PHEV’s engine fire up even when it’s got a full charge and it’s relatively warm outside? A Ford spokesperson confirmed to some of the various reasons. 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid | photo by Aaron Bragman It’s a maddeningly frustrating experience for someone expecting all-electric operation. All-Electric Operation - When It Wants Toĭespite there being an EV mode for our Escape, while it was selected, the gas engine still fired up on its own for any of nearly a dozen reasons, canceling EV mode even when there’s no apparent reason for it. For PHEVs, our normal course of testing is to do a specific electric-range test with the vehicle in EV-only mode, comparing our results with the official EPA rating, but we weren’t able to do that with the Escape Plug-In Hybrid for one simple reason: Its EV-only mode isn’t actually an EV-only mode. For comparison, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is rated at 42 miles of range but only 38 mpg combined when operating in gas mode, while the new 2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV is rated at 33 miles of EV range and just 35 mpg in gas mode. Its official efficiency rating is 105 mpg-equivalent, 40 mpg combined in gasoline mode - not bad given the regular front-drive Escape hybrid’s combined rating is just 1 mpg better. How efficient is it? The EPA says it can go 37 miles on electric power before the gas engine kicks in, pushing it to a total range of 520 miles on a full tank of regular 87-octane gasoline. It’s no rocket ship like the Toyota RAV4 Prime, but that’s just because Ford approached the Escape Plug-In Hybrid with a different mentality. The system blends electric and gas operations quite well, providing an excellent combination of usable power and efficient propulsion for daily commuting. It’s more than adequately powered to keep up with everyday traffic, however, and it motors along quietly when in EV mode and when, at highway speeds, the hybrid system decides it doesn’t need the engine and shuts it off for cruising. The electric traction motor isn’t big, and in order to keep it EV-only, you have to go pretty light on the accelerator. If you keep it in EV mode, though, acceleration is tepid. Making just a combined 200 horsepower, it’s still pretty zippy thanks to the nature of electric motors: All of the torque is available right off the line, making acceleration brisk when you’ve got the whole hybrid system engaged. It combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electrified continuously variable automatic transmission that drives only the front wheels all-wheel drive is not an option despite it being available on the regular hybrid Escape. ![]() ![]() The Escape Plug-In Hybrid is a compact SUV powered by a gas-electric hybrid system. Related: 2020 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid: Best-in-Class Equivalent Fuel Economy, Decent EV Driving Range Efficient Hybrid Motoring So, what’s got me all riled up about this Escape? That’s why vehicles like the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid exist: They boast fantastic hybridlike fuel economy, and if your commute is short, you can manage it without ever using a drop of gasoline the Escape PHEV variant’s official electric range is 37 miles.įord’s newest PHEV is not, however, without its quirks, some of which are sure to confound and infuriate plug-in hybrid fans like myself. These vehicles usually provide the best of both worlds: fully electric operation for a limited distance - giving drivers with a short commute and a home charger the ability to run mostly gas-free - and the ability to drive to the next city and beyond with minimal stopping and quick refueling. Versus the competition: The philosophy behind the Escape Plug-In Hybrid - efficiency alone - is very different from the Toyota RAV4 Prime, which emphasizes performance along with efficiency.ĭespite the recent proliferation of full battery-electric vehicles (BEVs, in car-speak) from all manner of automakers, plug-in hybrids (or PHEVs) also continue to appear for people who aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into full electrification. The verdict: There’s no denying its efficiency, but the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid’s eagerness to randomly fire up its gas engine will infuriate anyone hoping for a more consistent electric-driving experience. ![]()
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