2010 Ford Escape Hybrid
- 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
- Used Ford Escape Hybrid
Based on analysis of 20 Escape-Hybrid reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The Escape Hybrid features plenty of safety equipment and has excellent safety scores to back it up. In federal government tests, it earns top scores of five stars for driver and passenger safety in frontal crashes and for front- and rear-seat safety in side crashes. At three stars, its rollover score isn't as impressive, especially since many SUVs earn four stars. A three-star score means the Escape Hybrid has a 20 to 22 percent chance of rollover in a single vehicle crash.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn't tested the hybrid model, but gave the 2009 gasoline-powered Escape top scores of "Good" in frontal offset, side impact and rear crash protection tests. However, in roof strength tests, the 2009 Escape received a score of only "Marginal" (second worst on a four-point scale).
The base Escape Hybrid comes standard with dual-stage front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and anti-lock brakes. It also comes with side curtain airbags for outboard seating in both rows, which is a rare feature for an affordable base-model SUV.
New safety features for 2010 further set the Escape Hybrid apart. Available on Limited models is Active Park Assist, a $395 option, which uses ultrasonic sensors to measure the distance to the curb and between parked cars. A rearview camera is also now standard for the Limited model and integrated blind-spot mirrors are standard for both the base and Limited. Lastly, a programmable MyKey system allows parents to specify speed limits and stereo volumes for their young drivers.
- "That [Active Park Assist] system works surprisingly well, using various sensors to automatically steer the Escape into suitably sized parking spaces." -- Edmunds
- "The Escape Hybrid incorporates Roll Stability Control, which is only available on SUVs from Ford-owned brands, including the system's originator, Volvo. It is the only system with a sensor that detects the beginning of a rollover and can act to stop it." -- Cars.com
- A feature usually found only on super luxury cars, the Escape Hybrid's Active Park Assist uses sonar and the electric power steering unit to automatically guide the Escape into an open parallel parking spot. Voice prompts tell the driver when to shift gears and apply power." -- Kelley Blue Book
