[jry]

I am writing this from KY where we just took delivery of my wife's new Escape Hybrid.
In a word......Incredible.
Smooth transition between electric and gas. Engine starts and engages when it needs to. Charges the batteries on "engine braking".
Drove through some neighborhoods where folks were expecting to hear an engine when we drove past them. Just a quiet whirl.
Nothing is sacrificed here. All the toys.... heated seats, all that stuff. Smooth comfortable ride. Pretty smooth over the bumps. More to come.....

 

[EldoFan]

Congrats......hope you guys like it and then some :yup:

 

[Titanic]

Oooh, nice. Is it a 2009?

 

[blank disk]

Is it quick?

What is the 0-60? If the regular I4 has V6 performance, then I bet it is much quicker yet, with much more torque down low.

35mpg in an SUV is impressive.
Ford is way ahead of GM here.

Still the best looking vehicle in it's class too.

 

[PAULSTS1]

Jry:

I am awaiting delivery of my '09 Mercury Mariner Hybrid shortly, and am also very excited. I am so excited I changed my Avatar yesterday.

Best to you and your wife on your Hybrid!

:drive:

 

[eurohazard]

Congrats on the new ride! I'm looking forward to some MPG updates! I think the Escape and Mariner Hybrids are pretty popular. It's wonder Toyota didn't do it to the Rav4 in stead of the bigger/heavier Highlander.

 

[2b2]

CONGRATS, jry!!!
& PAULSTS1 too!!!

looking forward to LotsOfPixLotsOfPix

 

[HoeyHimself]

Congrats!

But now that you have a Hybrid...dont go gettin all smug on us or anything, alright? lol

 

[jry]

Funny, Hoey!
We just got back from driving it around Lexington. She'll be taking it home to MI tomorrow.
It is an '09 that we ordered as an '08 back in the Spring. They shut down the 2008 schedule and threw it in the 2009 pot. This thing is cool. Got it to stay in the electric mode all the way up to 35 MPH. If you lay on the pedal, the motor kicks in and its got some juice. It is odd to be at a light and only have the noise of your A/C fan blowing.
Comfort? I am 6'1" and there is plenty of room. Good visibility, especially compared to the H3 she was driving. PaulSTS... I think that you made a good choice. Hope you are smiling as big as we are. When did you order yours? Almost did the Merc. but our buddy is only a Ford dealer. Got the x plan pricing on it as well.

 

[theoldwizard]

Wait till the Gen II system shows up in the 2010 Fusion/Milan !

 

[jry]

Wait till the Gen II system shows up in the 2010 Fusion/Milan !

I fully expect to see a dealer installed upgrade that would have better, lighter batteries. Something that makes this rechargeable, overnight and runs for greater distances on batteries.
On another note, Ford puts an eight year, 100 thousand mile warranty on the parts that are unique to the hybrid system.
We can almost get this thing up to 40 mph on battery.
How does that stack up with the other Hybrids?
Just before my wife drove it home, we ended up parked next to a pee-us.
Who'd want one of those slag buckets, anyway?