Escape Hybrid is HARD, saves $250,000 in gas

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Ford is killing off the * Fix or repair daily* curse.

One of the concerns people have about hybrid vehicles is the durability of the complex drivetrains. Ford is helping to put some of that concern to rest. Less than two years ago a fleet of eighteen Escape Hybrids joined the ranks of New York City taxis. In that short span of time each one of them has now completed over 175,000 miles of service and saved an estimated $250,000 in fuel costs.

If a vehicle can survive the constant stop and go traffic of New York city streets while accumulating the same mileage as an average driver collects in 11 years, it's probably doing okay.
============ Thank you, Autoblog.com

Prius Escape Accord Hylander Civic Camry Hybrid

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This is the first diagram you see when you go to GreenHybrid.com

Escape, Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid winners

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The 2007 Escape Hybrid in front-wheel drive form is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market. As such, it is one of just three current model-year vehicles to qualify for the federal government's maximum $2,000 EcoAuto incentive.

Toyota's Prius and Honda's Civic hybrid also qualify.

The 2008 Escape Hybrid is even more fuel-frugal.

That improvement should qualify the new 4WD model for the full $2,000 rebate as well. Its 2007 counterpart is eligible for a $1,500 incentive.

Those incentives should help offset the price of the Escape Hyrbid, which is listed as $31,499 for the FWD version and $33,899 for the 4WD version.

For those who may worry about the longevity of such relatively new technology, the Hybrid's CVT, battery pack, and electronic power controller are covered by a special eight-year, 160,000 km warranty. More at TheStar.com = TG