The Ford Escape, redesigned for the 2020 model year, offers a new flavor for 2021 in the form of a plug-in hybrid.
Ford’s compact crossover joins the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 and forthcoming 2023 Kia Sportage with PHEV variants.
The launch was delayed so Ford could determine the cause of battery fires in similar vehicles built in Europe.
The front-wheel-drive, gasoline-electric Escape plug-in hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electrified continuously variable automatic transmission that generates 220 combined hp and 155 pound-feet of torque. If offers 37 miles of electric range.
The plug-in hybrid market, somewhat overshadowed by electric vehicles, includes not just compact crossovers, but also the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the Subaru Crosstrek and some luxury models from BMW, Volvo and even Ferrari.
We’ve collected some reviews from U.S. and Canadian media.
“As in other PHEVs, the Escape’s instant torque is an appealing feature. During EV running we noticed the road noise from the General Altimax Arctic 12 winter tires, but wind noise was limited to a tiny amount of buffeting around the door mirrors. Overall, it’s quiet and the transitions between gas and electric are mostly imperceptible.
“Unfortunately, the lane-keeping assist comes at the expense of Ford’s usually excellent steering feel. Smooth test roads made it impossible to judge the impact of the PHEV system’s additional 150kg/330 lb on ride comfort, but the SUV settled well on the highway.”
— Graham Heeps, Traction Life
“With more range than the Tucson but less power than the RAV4 Prime, the Escape PHEV sits right between its key contenders.
“On the road, the powertrain feels strong and can get up to speed with urgency. However, the PHEV, like the Hybrid model, uses an electronic continuously variable transmission instead of a traditional eight-speed automatic like the gas-powered models. As a result, the gas motor can make its presence known. During hard acceleration, high loads, or even during low temperatures, the engine fires up and isn’t very subtle about it.
“The electric components deliver fewer vibrations and clatter, so the ride was far calmer with a juiced-up battery. Despite the low outside temperatures, the kilometers ticked down at an expected pace and didn’t seem too impacted by the cold or by any eager throttle inputs.
“The vehicle features a few different drive modes, and you can even arrange to save the battery range for another time or use the gas motor to charge up the battery. The latter setting isn’t recommendable as it just makes the coarse internal combustion engine more noticeable and unbearable.
“The 61 km range should be adequate for most one-way commutes. Recouping that energy requires 10 to 11 hours on a Level 1 charger or three and a half hours on a Level 2 charger. When the battery is depleted, the Escape PHEV acts like a traditional hybrid, returning 5.5 liters per 100 km in city driving conditions, 6.2 on the highway and 5.8 combined — identical to the non-plug-in Escape Hybrid model.”
— Sami Haj-Assaad, Driving
“The Escape Plug-In Hybrid is a compact SUV powered by a gas-electric hybrid system. 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. Making just a combined 220 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.
“If you keep it in EV mode, though, acceleration is tepid. The electric traction motor isn’t big, and in order to keep it EV-only, you have to go pretty light on the accelerator. 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 system blends electric and gas operations quite well, providing an excellent combination of usable power and efficient propulsion for daily commuting. 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.”
— Aaron Bragman, Cars.com
“The Escape Plug-in Hybrid basically just turns the dial up on the regular Hybrid, with far more time spent driving under electricity, even when the all-electric range is depleted. Like other PHEVs, there are multiple powertrain modes, which let you lock out the gas engine completely, save the electric range for later (say, after a highway drive when you enter a city), or drive mostly on electricity until stronger acceleration is needed and the gas engine automatically kicks in. In any of the above, transitions and power delivery are seamless. This is a sophisticated powertrain and although the price tag and availability are obviously a concern, it’s the most appealing Escape available.”
— James Riswick, Autoblog
“The EPA claims the Escape PHEV can hit about 40 mpg combined on gas alone, but I see closer to 36 in mixed use. If you do take a road trip, be prepared to make more stops than you might expect; while every other Escape variant has a gas tank between 14 and 15 gallons, the plug-in makes do with just 11.2 gallons.
“There are a few, but not a ton of competitors in the plug-in compact crossover segment. [The Escape hybrid’s] biggest rival is the Toyota RAV4 Prime, which offers more space, better looks and a rather potent 300-hp powertrain. The Kia Niro is a little more hatch-ish, if you’d prefer something closer to the ground, and Kia’s cabin tech is second to none. If you’re willing to ditch the big battery, the Ford Bronco Sport becomes a more appealing option, because it has, you know, character.
“The 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid isn’t looking to compromise. This PHEV offers commendable electric range, good use of interior space and tech that’s pretty well democratized across its lineup. If you’re looking for something no-nonsense that will carry you around town without burning holes in your wallet, the Escape PHEV is a safe option that’ll deliver everything you need.”
— Andre Krok, Roadshow by CNET