2006 Ford Escape Hybrid Consumer Reviews

Exactly what we hoped

Written by: ronl on 08/26/2008

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Got this car to go between San Francisco and Sacramento. One city is hilly and cool, the other flat and often hot. So, we do a lot of city driving on hills, and often use the A/C. In just over 3 years and 67,000 miles, we've avg'd over 31 mpg. (For the first 5000 mi or so, we only avg'd 28 mpg. This is as expected, as there's a sort of 'burn-in' period for the engine. Since then, we've avg'd over 32 mpg.) We've never had a repair, only normal maintenance - oil change, tune-up, etc. The car rides very well, but the interior is hard to clean, especially after carrying rock, soil, compost, and straw for our yard. In short, this car has met our best expectations.

Favorite Features

Great gas mileage! It carries everything we need it to carry, including heavy landscape materials. This car has been very reliable. We've never had a repair, even as we've averaged driving it well over 20,000 miles per year for the past three years.

Suggested Improvements

Would have liked a plug-in hybrid!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Excellent value for a small SUV

Written by: Hybrid Tom on 08/22/2008

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

The Escape Hybrid looks much smaller than it is. Interior space is much more than it appears. With tax credits, the cost equaled a V-6 with 4 cylinder MPG. Overall, no problems, and lots of approval from the tree huggers.

Favorite Features

Not using fuel when sitting in traffic or going below 25 MPH

Suggested Improvements

Increase the engine start point to 35 MPH, this would improve my MPG a great deal without much change in battery life.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Satisfied with the hybrid

Written by: stormpeakco on 05/13/2008

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We purchased this vehicle primarily to become more carbon neutral. This vehicle has far exceeded our expectations for us and our two large dogs. We have achieved an average of 29.75 miles for the life of the car (22K) and that includes residing at 7000', winters in the snow country with soft snow tires and CO winter gasoline. A recent trip to the west coast yielded 31.5mpg. Sure it is gutless but it is supposed to be with only a four banger and runs on regular, not jet fuel. Thus far it is the ideal primary vehicle

Favorite Features

Green, green and more green and feel good driving it when I can't ride my bicycle. Driving to Denver on I-70 from the Eisenhower tunnel it's all downhill and one can achieve a completely green screen on the mpg meter (>50 mpg) for 15 minutes of near coasting.

Suggested Improvements

A little more sound proofing would be nice.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Love my Hybrid Escape!

Written by: LGIII on 05/12/2008

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Love the mileage, 33 mpg average, and the 10,000 oil change intervals. Would certainly buy another in the future. Ford quality has improved a lot since my first Ford in 1972. My last Ford was a 1994 Explorer I bought new and had 189,000 miles on it when I sold it.

Favorite Features

Love the in dash navigation system

Suggested Improvements

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Major Repair After 41K

Written by: matt2007 on 11/20/2007

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

After 1 year, 9 months (41,200 miles) and two recall notices, my 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid AWD had a transfer case break. The transfer case was back ordered for at least two weeks. In my opinion, a all wheel drive SUV should not have major repairs with just 41,000 miles. This is especially true because Ford has had a reputation of good and sturdy cars. I had been very please with the other 5 Ford Vehicles that I have owned (3 new, 2 used). I encourage anyone to consider very carefully my experience before they purchase a Ford.

Favorite Features

Fog lamps. The hybrid nature and fuel economy (27mpg actual)

Suggested Improvements

Build a drive train to match the vehicle.

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Mine lost it's breaks 4 times

Written by: IHATEFORD on 09/26/2007

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

My escape hybrid has had complete break failure 4 time in two years and 3 times in 3 weeks. Ford can't figure out what the problem is. They replaced the master breaking cylinder and while road testing the car, the breaks went out on them. Ford headquarters also takes no responsibility for the breaks and has basically told me I had to deal with the problem. I asked that they put in writing that the car is safe to drive when the repairs are finally done, but they refuse to do that saying it would be fraudulent since Ford doesn't do the repairs, Ford "dealers" do the repairs.

Favorite Features

Nice car when it runs

Suggested Improvements

Breaks that work. Cup holders that are next to each other rather than front and back. GPS system that doesn't require changing the disks (only one I've seen that works this way).

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Not As Expected - Not So Hybrid

Written by: J. Weisner on 09/15/2007

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I got a pre-owned thinking most problems been solved. There still are, the infamous squeaks at the battery area, loose and squeaky front airbag. Consumption is great below 30mph, not at the hiway. Comfortable ride anyhow. Bad attendance for recalls, not all techs knows about hybrid. Power window switch fails, not just on my Escape but on my Focus as well.

Favorite Features

Comfortable ride, looks, good brakes.

Suggested Improvements

Eliminate or suppress squeaks, noise. Increase battery time usage, it only works for short time. Put reliable power window switches.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Hybrid Issues to Consider

Written by: K. Smith on 09/01/2007

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

As a just past owner of a 06 Ford Escape hybrid, I would ask anyone looking into the hybrid models 06 & 07 to have your eye's open and understand the issues I found on my hybrid. Air Conditioning: You loose your A/C when you are traveling under 25 MPH, unless you go to Max Air, This makes the gas motor run all the time and why did you buy a hybrid ? Per factory this is how it was designed and live with it or find somthing else. I did I moved to a new Edge. I never did get the suggested mileage, I average around 31 MPG on freeway, trade in value wasn't as good as my Ford sales person suggested (My fault to listen to sales person) No sour grapes, just beware !

Favorite Features

Comfortable leather seats, Good rear storage. Fog lights worked well.

Suggested Improvements

Air conditioning while in hybrid mode. More durable windshield. Better extended warranty.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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A Joy to Own

Written by: Gene on 06/28/2007

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

This has been a great vehicle. I feel that I have more than gotten my money's worth. With an average of 35.6mpg in both city and highway driving up and down hills, I can not be happier. The tax credits were a plus but I would buy this again in a heartbeat. Too bad they do not make a Mustang Hybrid. I would buy that too.

Favorite Features

Fuel mileage, comfort, moonroof, navigation.

Suggested Improvements

MP3 upgrade

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Had to trade it in

Written by: dina k on 05/31/2007

Vehicle

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I wanted an Escape Hybrid since they came out and finally got one. I stupidly didn't realize the importance of getting the 4WD version. Its hard tires handle well below average in any kind of slick/snowy conditions. The truck told me the tires were under pressure when it was cold out and that the passenger door was ajar when it reached below freezing temps. Finally had to get rid of it when the dealership told me they couldn't fix the loud squeeking coming from the front drivers side brake.

Favorite Features

Huge tax return! 32mpg and I liked the outside styling.

Suggested Improvements

Very plain interior. Sometimes seemed top heavy when turning. Very bad handling in the snow for the 2wd.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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