When You're Not Ready To Go Cold Turkey | 2022 Ford Escape Plug In Hybrid

[@aaronkoch3273]

As a 2nd gen Volt owner with over 120k miles on my car, this is the one i want. This or the rav4 prime, but they're unobtanium.

[@fsouza]

idk I'd spend a bit more and get the Santa Fe

[@richardowens9061]

Get a Toyota. The Ford eCVT transmissions are designed to fail at about 100,000 miles. I learned this the hard way with my 2013 Ford C-Max ENERGI. First transmission went out at about 98,500 miles and the second went out at about 194,000 miles. First was covered by warranty, but not the second! And, if the first one had lasted just 1500 miles longer, it would not have been covered. You have been warned!

[@jermainec2462]

RAV4 👍🏾

[@gondorian1006]

@@richardowens9061 I also have a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. It has 220,000 miles on the original transmission. It is true that the 2013-2015 C-Max hybrids did have a bearing fault that caused premature failure in some cases. However that was the HF35 transmission which is different from the HF45 used in the Escape Hybrid.

[@kolt9051]

@@gondorian1006 thank you for that info

[@harrythehandyman]

Information from Webber Auto KZbin channel: The 1st/2nd gen Ford planetary transmission (eCVT, but really does not have a metal band like CVT) were designed and made by Aisin (owned by Toyota). The 3rd gen, Ford uses very similar design of the 1st/2nd gen and produces the transmission in Ford factories.

[@aussie2uGA]

I'll never buy another Ford due their incredibl Powershift transmission debacle. They continued to sell Fiestas and Focus models with them knowing they would fail in about 10k miles, repeating over and over. Goolgle it, it should have been a crime once they became aware. Every used car dealer knew to also stay away from them which drastically lowered resale.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Made by Aisin based on Ford's designs which are nearly identical to Toyota's. Ford and Toyota settled lawsuits regarding the patents with a patent trade arrangement. Ford has long used Aisin for transmissions when they needed something to fit a particular use so that's not a surprise.

[@JamesPhieffer]

@@aussie2uGA The Powershift is not a good transmission design, to be sure. But generally the replacement of the clutch fixes the reliability issue. Got mine done at around 40-50,000 km, and fine since, having passed 132k in my 2013 Focus. But it is a rougher shifting, jerky design, more so than the typical dct. But that has nothing to do with the unit used in their hybrids, or any other Ford auto trans, which are all torque-converter designs.

[@TheCapn23]

This screen size is about perfect for my taste. The ginormous screens in luxury trucks and EVs are just bright distracting lights at night time.

[@Tinrs80]

Bravo 🎉 Alex only reviewer that has had an escape and noticed issue with how you see The pop up screen if your tall. Dude only one noticed that out of all the other reviews... good job catchin that. 💯

[@LukeO-1234]

I love the animations during the vehicle specifications!

[@wallyballou7417]

I have a 2021 Escape Hybrid Titanium AWD. Gas mileage is fantastic - regularly hit 50mpg around town and 37-40mpg on the freeway. Compared to the Rav4, I found the ride to be firmer, but the handling to be better - the Escape seemed much more planted and willing to carve up a canyon. It's definitely more a drivers car than the Rav4. OTOH, the build quality is only fair, with buzzes and rattles on rough road surfaces and it doesn't hold as much stuff. Overall, it's a very smooth driving vehicle and you can actually get one these days, unlike the Rav4.

[@hereigoagain5050]

I like it, but would buy the RAV4 Prime if I could find one. I would like to echo Alex's analysis about PHEV from other videos. Batteries are the scarce resource. Environmentally, we are better off with 5 PHEV than 4 ICE + 1 EV. BTW I come to AoA to watch Alex jump into the trunk.

[@mdensch1]

I particularly liked Alex's discussion in the earlier video. In it he noted that if the LIon batteries in the 300,000 or so EVs sold in 2020 were used to build HEVs instead, the industry could have made something like 14 million hybrids which could have saved billions of gallons of gasoline more than those EVs did.

[@afcgeo882]

We’re even better off with regular hybrids at this point, especially since many use Nickel-Hydride batteries still.

[@taxicamel]

FAR TOO CONFUSING ......RATTLING ON AND ON .....CONSTANTLY COMPARING BEV'S WITH HYBRIDS WITH PHEV'S WITH DIFFERENT MAKERS ..........AND CONFLICTING INFORMATION FROM WHAT I HAVE ALREADY RESEARCHED. A VERY MESSY VIDEO .....WHEN THE TITLE STATES "2022 Ford Escape Plug In Hybrid". .

[@MacDeLorean]

Thanks again for calling out the seat bottom cushion length or lack thereof Alex, this is such an important factor for me.

[@bryanmills2295]

Big improvement in rear storage over the PHEV C-Max. They've done a lot better job integrating the lithium battery pack in the Escape, apparently.

[@arevee9429]

Yes, that battery in the plugin C-Max was a joke. Too bad as the C-Max was nice in many other respects.

[@justabrokeredneck]

i feel so bad for you people that liked that ugly focus minivan thing. glad it’s gone

[@afcgeo882]

Battery tech has come a long way in the last 10 years.

[@markmiller3279]

Yes, but it's a larger class of vehicle entirely. I rather liked the C-Max, as it was a very sensible size that could easily carry four adults, or two adults and their luggage. The local cab fleets had quite a few of them (as well as Escapes). The hybrid Escape is not that much more capable than the regular C-Max.

[@afcgeo882]

@@markmiller3279 Both, the C-Max and the Escape are exactly the same size vehicles. Both are on the Focus platform and the C-Max had over 60% common parts with the Escape, including the interior, the doors, windows, tailgate, etc.

[@billlatronica6848]

my wife's 22 PHEV Escape is set to be built next week! I can't wait to drive it.

[@David-zi8ud]

Alex I just ordered a 2023 Ford Escape PHEV, Premium. Holy heck, with Panorama roof, it listed for over $47,000! However I believe the Sync 4 upgrade and others upgrades, makes it a better value. And while I now live in Florida, I ordered it from a Ford Dealer in Salina, Kansas. Thanks for your review of the 2022 Escape PHEV. I have a 2017 Ford C-Max Energi (PHEV) with a 149,000 miles and have had absolutely no problems, except a flat tire, with no spare, after hours. The puncture was to large for the can of goop to repair. The 2023 Escape comes STANDARD with a spare tire, and the Hybrid is the only model I have found that can be flat towed behind an RV. Not even the non-Escape Hybrid can be Flat Towed. If you want a PHEV, with a spare and can be Flat Towed, I believe, the 2023 Ford Escape is ones only choice.

[@byronargueta1026]

Who’s watching this after fueling and looking how expensive gas is, and your thinking i never thought I would consider a hybrid , well welcome to the growing Comunity .

[@centauri0]

We need more PHEV's. I've had one for many years and its still the best option for me. Pure EV while at home and still have gas for those long trips. I sure would like a pure EV but I still do not see how they will be the norm for many years to come unless charging becomes 100 times faster. They are just not practical yet because most of the population doesn't live in a house or a place where they can charge it at night.

[@taxicamel]

FAR TOO CONFUSING ......RATTLING ON AND ON .....CONSTANTLY COMPARING BEV'S WITH HYBRIDS WITH PHEV'S WITH DIFFERENT MAKERS ..........AND CONFLICTING INFORMATION FROM WHAT I HAVE ALREADY RESEARCHED. A VERY MESSY VIDEO .....WHEN THE TITLE STATES "2022 Ford Escape Plug In Hybrid". .

[@randyhyland847]

To me this is better than the regular hybrid even if you never plug it in... Better electric motor and a heat pump very good design

[@afcgeo882]

Except it gets worse fuel economy and doesn’t come in AWD… oh and has less cargo volume, and is heavier, slower and with worse handling. It (the PHEV) also costs more. When you drive it on longer trips it also gets worse fuel economy.

[@randyhyland847]

@@afcgeo882 so I actually own a 2021 regular hybrid with the AWD. I honestly think that in the winter in Pennsylvania the PHEV would be better because so much fuel is wasted by having the engine run not because you need it to run but because the oil needs heated up for the heater.

[@afcgeo882]

@@randyhyland847 I know what you mean, as I own a Rav4 hybrid which does the same (in NYC), but look at your actual fuel economy savings. My Rav4 averages 39.9mpg over 1 full year of driving. I drive about 60/40 highway/city and my cabin is always set at 69°F, so it runs heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. The Escape hybrid is rated 2mpg better than the Rav4, and the Escape PHEV only gives you 38mpg once the electric is gone, so… Given it’s just 39 miles of electric at the very best, but likely 30 in the winter, as Lithium batteries aren’t as efficient in the cold and heat pumps do still use energy (they’re not magic), more realistically 27-28… Given that, are you really winning that much? That’s a 7 gallon benefit, which is 266 miles. That’s 6.3 gallons for the Hybrid. Once you get past that 266 miles in your trip, you’re now losing fuel efficiency. So… unless you really only drive 30-100 miles, you get no benefit at all, but if you do… why aren’t you in an EV like a Mach-E or an I.D.4 or an Ioniq5? What makes PHEVs not good is that as electrics, they’re hauling a really heavy engine, transmission, cooling system, and fuel “just in case”, wasting a ton of energy on that weight, and if you’re mostly driving with the gas engine, then you’re lugging a rather large, heavy battery around, “just in case”, again, making the car less fuel efficient.

[@larryaugsburger8452]

@@afcgeo882 Good points, but I don't want to buy two cars and I refuse to add an hour every 250 miles for charging on a long trip. If 90% of my driving is the commute (which it is) and is less than 30 miles each way (which it is), the loss of efficiency in electric mode is irrelevant, and Alex's observed fuel economy on gas is as good as yours, so good enough.

[@afcgeo882]

@@larryaugsburger8452 How is inefficiency irregular? You still pay for the electricity. It isn’t free. Also, the Ioniq5 charges from 10% to 80% in 15 minutes and I’m guessing you don’t average even one 400+ mile trip in a year. What you’re demonstrating is illogical range anxiety.

[@supriyasou3722]

I know everyone here said this is boring and dated design both interior and exterior..but for me it feels functional and elegant. Not flashy.

[@joshtumblin5893]

Awesome! Actually looking at trading my 2020 Camry in for the phev.. I had a cmax plug in and loved it, also had a escape 2.0 ecoboost this seems like the sweet spot I was looking for..

[@anthonymillett16]

22:20 hahaha bladder busting road trip 😂

[@richardnavratil9661]

Gotta like all the Escape puns... "if you want to escape..." or at 9:19 the song The Sweet Escape... :)

[@createaneutroncreateaneutr7433]

Thank you for a GREAT video breakdown! We are ordering an Escape PHEV this week and this was very helpful!!

[@jamesmcdonald5026]

Alex provides the best reviews 👌

[@freddiecarr7602]

My Clarity has 97,000 since Dec 2018 so this seems like the best replacement. I use steering wheel controls for audio and Android audio for just about everything else. I drive almost all freeway so the HOV access is a huge plus here in SoCal. I haven't seen this car in stock until now so maybe I can hook a decent price through Costco.

[@louiearmstrong]

I wanted a Clarity, but then I realized it is not a hatchback like the Prius/Volt/Insight.

[@NissanAltimaGuy]

For someone 6’3 I’ll have to admit these have good headroom even with panoramic roofs.

[@joshtumblin5893]

How about leg room 6’2 here and the fusion we had was to cramped.. my left leg could never fully extend to a comfortable spot

[@NissanAltimaGuy]

@@joshtumblin5893 leg room was no problem for me

[@justabrokeredneck]

@@joshtumblin5893 ive test driven a 2020, and as long as you aren’t on the wider side of things, you’ll be fine. and as long as you’re okay with the seat not being at max height.

[@joshtumblin5893]

@@justabrokeredneck thank you I’m pretty wide lol but usually I’m okay with width but my longer legs not so much

[@markmiller3279]

I agree with Alex that the seat bottom cushions are short for taller guys, but there is plenty of legroom (just move the seat back).

[@vitaly6312]

It always baffles me that more vehicles and vehicle options aren’t doing the plug in hybrids on a mass scale. Toyota prime did this but they allocated what 5,000 vehicles for last year? Crossovers, SUVs and trucks should all have those options in the 30-50 mile electric only range. Why there’s no tacoma prime, tundra prime; frontier plug in hybrid, explorer plug in, etc etc etc. If you want to get people ti drive electric; then this is the absolute best way to do so for the people who may have longer commutes; don’t live in areas where there is convenient charging, those who rent their homes or apartments, etc.

[@stephenj4937]

Toyota limited RAV4 production because of difficulty sourcing batteries.

[@taxicamel]

FAR TOO CONFUSING ......RATTLING ON AND ON .....CONSTANTLY COMPARING BEV'S WITH HYBRIDS WITH PHEV'S WITH DIFFERENT MAKERS ..........AND CONFLICTING INFORMATION FROM WHAT I HAVE ALREADY RESEARCHED. A VERY MESSY VIDEO .....WHEN THE TITLE STATES "2022 Ford Escape Plug In Hybrid". .

[@terrishamblin7461]

A PHEV is my next buy. I was set on Toyota that’s a joke since I live in the southeast US. So I went and drove a hybrid Escape just to see if I liked it at all. It was a great drive. So the PHEV Escape looks good for me. They also believe they can deliver it in under 3 months. And Toyota can’t even let me order one now!!

[@davidgapp1457]

Yet another great review with the right blend of pragmatics, analytics, fun and usability. Should add, with the way gas prices are going, owning a PHEV certainly is a stress reducer!

[@shawnfanchette]

Thank you for this. I’m sure I’m not alone in that I always assumed PHEV was more efficient than a regular hybrid. Seems like the car manufacturers have marketed them as such. Your in-depth explanation of the key differences in hybrid tech is something I think any prospective buyer should watch.

[@EUC-lid]

If you don't drive far on a daily basis and can do most of your driving in EV mode they're far more efficient. I'm averaging about 300mpg in my PHEV, and I can't really notice a change in my electric bill. Not even starting the engine for weeks or months at a time is where PHEVs shine. You'll change oil because it ages out (annually). You'll change brake fluid every 3 years just to remove moisture because you're never cooking it (95% of braking is regen). But, whenever you need to go on a road trip, you just treat it like a normal hybrid and refill the tank.

[@thomaspick4123]

After farting in the new car for a month, will it still have that new car smell? Or will it smell like fresh farts?

[@goostrey4210]

Hoping that this car's sister - the Lincoln Corsair GT PHEV - will also get released soon as, like this Escape PHEV, it has been delayed for YEARS! The Corsair has a larger IC engine and AWD and a much nicer interior, so that addresses many weak spots of this car. Of course, it is also much more expensive ($50k+). I have been following talk of a PHEV Ford Wagon called the Fusion Active. Any idea if/when that will see the light of day?

[@afcgeo882]

The IC engine on the Corsair PHEV is exactly the same as this. It does have a rear electric motor, exactly the same way the Rav4 Prime does, to drive the rear axle. The total output power is 266hp.

[@starpupilz]

I'm also keen to see if the Fusion makes a crossover comeback, it's my pick if they make it

[@edgardorodriguez]

Great car I have the Ford Escape 2020 Plug in and we only have to put gas 2 times only because we are getting almost 50 miles on electric and our daily trip does not pass 40 miles is an awesome car.

[@stefanbololoi7110]

Great mileage! How was your mileage in the winter? Probably about 40-50% less?

[@goodaromas]

just fillup my PHEV and got 144mpg over 1260 miles

[@stefanbololoi7110]

How’s the torque/ acceleration for the escape phev? I heard is kind of flat in ev mode?

[@woggybot]

An exceptional review for a car I’m seriously considering; I think PHEVs are indeed the best of the EV/ICE worlds. Excellent video :)

[@michaelnagle9231]

I have a 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid I am averaging 48.3 mpg. Excellent mileage .

[@DefineScrib]

No AWD is a disappointment but overall a great CUV. Good competitor to the RAV-4 Prime

[@taxicamel]

The need for AWD is dependent on where you live and where you like to drive. Eastern Canada and only winter weather ...maybe ...but still not mandatory.

[@JeebsFat]

No 2022 Sorento PHEV comparison? Great video though as always!

[@Tugennov]

Thanks for the video. I'd love to see a review of the refreshed 2023 plug-in hybrid model.

[@paulocarvalho9406]

Hi Alex, see if you can put together a comparison between the PHEV Rav4, Escape and Tucson. I currently have a Prius Prime and it is a great car, I can only imagine that a smother gasoline engine will make the experience much better since the Prius gasoline engine is not very polished. The Rav4 Prime suffers from a lack of availability which I anticipate will become more frequent as more brands start to go for the limited resources that comprise car batteries.

[@scottweis7214]

Alex, another great review. You do an awesome job of covering all the information.

[@PacificBlue51]

Really great and informative video. Thanks much Alex.

[@hphillips7425]

I like your reasoning EV vs hybrid

[@stedavid13]

I was super excited about this until you mentioned it being front wheel drive.. Hopefully Ford will take a note from Toyota's e-AWD on the Prius and update this to have AWD.

[@rustlesee]

You would be silly to think they aren’t working on this. I know they are really trying to work on their own hybrid systems versus outsourcing it, which may be the current situation.

[@NinerK]

Great review Alex, greeting from the East bay :) Watching the b roll of the open engine compartment, I mean, all those wires, yuck…..now I see why a lot of engines have the plastic covers.

[@jackfishcampbell6745]

I think it looks good and seems like decent option . We drive 19 Kia Niro Hybrid and love it . I can't ever see going back to gas only . When we bought this car phevs were hard to find where we live . I also didn't feel like plugging in I parked outside for decades here in Winnipeg and was stuck plugging in the block heater and scraping the windows in my cars . Now that I park in a garage with a car that has amazing winter starting abilities, no thanks . I haven't sat in one but the new escape doesn't blow me away with the way the interior looks , and Really hate losing the shifter . But that's the way it's going to be I guess .

[@afcgeo882]

The big issue is the Lithium battery performance in cold climates. Living in ‘Peg, that concern is real. Don’t rush out to get into something like this. You’ll end up getting just 25km on the charge in the winter. Toyota left the Nickel battery in the Rav4 hybrid in Canada for a very good reason.

[@markmiller3279]

The interior has been tarted up a bit for the Titanium trim level, but you can still see major coat cutting. The lower trim levels have some of the worst interior materials in any current vehicle. Really crummy. It's a shame, as the styling is pretty good and the package sensible.

[@paulocarvalho9406]

In my Prius Prime, I lose around 17Km (out of 40) of range in below 0 temperatures, it is a big difference. As for the shifter maybe Ford can get you a fake one as an optional! 🤣

[@goostrey4210]

Am I the only person who thinks that this Escape looks like an Aston DBX?

[@Thebuscommunityleader]

I try of buy used 22' Ford Escape PHEV Alex.

[@JBM425]

Ford Escape Titanium PHEV MSRP: $39,000 Actual Sale Price: $44,000 (if you can find one) What a lousy time to buy a car. ☹️

[@stonedhope]

PHEVs are my guilty obsession and Alex is who I count on to get the nitty gritty but I was upset he missed some details when comparing competition. Based on his recommendations I was tossing up this and the 3 options Korea (Tuscon, Santa Fe & Sorrento). I was disappointed to find out from another review channel that those Korean option don't allow you to select hybrid option, (specifically hold the charge), just like the Chrysler Pacifica. Not being able to decide my mode is the only thing that holds me back from the Pacifica too. Because to be honest, I think the Escape is but ugly, but its closest in my budget and storage needs.

[@markmiller3279]

The Pavifica's reliability has also been very poor. That's disappointing in an otherwise nice vehicle.

[@MrMarkwill62]

Owning a RAV4 Prime SE for 6 months now, I am no longer sold on them. I don't believe they are worth the extra cost over the Hybrid models of the same car. My RAV4 Prime gets around 426 miles on a full tank of gas when you add a full charge it only gets another 42 miles. Since it takes almost 5 hours to charge, this is once a day that I can take advantage of the electric. Plug in Hybrids are just not worth the extra money until they start making them with longer lasting batteries that charge faster, like the batteries used in the BEVs

[@lukesheehan436]

I have a Sorrento PHEV and it does allow for the selection of drive modes. I can select between Full EV, Full Hybrid or Automatic mode. I love the vehicle except the engine has to turn on for the heat to work. I live in a cold climate so in the winter so far it turns on often

[@PostprandialTorpor]

@@MrMarkwill62 bear in mind your refuel light comes on when you’ve used 10.5-12.5 gallons but you actually have 14.5 gallon tank so 2-4 gallons of reserve fuel (an additional 76-152 miles per tank at 38mpg) Toyota is really conservative and doesn’t want to risk you running out

[@MrMarkwill62]

@@PostprandialTorpor thanks, when I took it into Toyota, they measured the amount of gas in the tank, showing there was actually more gas than indicated as you are saying

[@updlate4756]

The only correction I'd add is that the Chevy Volt isn't less efficient than the Ford Escape PHEV. Volt gets 42 mpg combined, versus the Escape's 40 mpg. Volt gets 31 kWh / 100 mi on electric versus Escape's 32 kWh / 100 mi. So it's more efficient in both electric mode and gas mode. Not much more efficient, and you are giving up space in the Volt and especially 2nd row comfort. Maybe you're thinking of the gen 1 Volt. The Volt can accelerate at 7.5 seconds 0-60 in pure electric mode though, and sees no added acceleration when it's in hybrid mode.

[@robertduklus6555]

Chevy Volt??? Grab a bus back to the future

[@brandenflasch]

Gah, give me this power train in the Maverick

[@GHinWI]

I’d like this power train in a Transit Connect

[@brandenflasch]

@@GHinWI that works too

[@siraff4461]

Oh and on range vs the Mach-E - in the Kuga/Escape range is simply not an issue. I've owned a lot of ev's and even my model S needed some planning if I wanted to go on any decent journey. With the Kuga/Escape I leave around 1/8th of a tank of fuel in it and use it as an EV apart from when hard acceleration is needed - on ramps and so on. When I want to do a trip I simply set off, fill it at whatever petrol station I happen to be passing and go as far as I like as fast as I like with as much heating as I like without any hint of limitations. Its also worth noting its no more expensive that most EV's when they are using the on road chargers in a lot of situations because I've found a lot of EV's fall on their face for range when you want to move a bit faster and use a bit more heater - especially in the wet and cold which is most of the time here.

[@s50201]

Looks like a bunch of encoding error starting around 13:00 with static appearing on the screen

[@PreludeSon]

Such a detail review and thanks for sharing this with us.

[@TWARDOWSKY.]

13:28 eCVT ist the best for hybrdi card, Toyota know this already for over20 year, ford also.

[@danhall3450]

Thanks Alex, another excellent review with great comparisons; especially appreciated your conclusion - agree, it is a no compromise PHEV. Regarding PHEV's, I own a Niro PHEV and in my driving pattern with it (about 80% city driving), I currently average 125 hand calculated mgp . For someone whose daily driving falls within the range of the PHEV charge range and if their living situation allows them to charge nightly, PHEVs are definitely the way to go, especially if one qualifies for the Fed Tax Credit. I have driven the 21 Escape ICE on several occasions as a rental. I found it very comfortable, efficient, with excellent performance (2.0T). The seat felt lumpy at 1st but soon became very comfortable including several 2+ hour drives. I was shopping for a potential replacement for either my Kia Niro PHEV or Subaru OB and drove the Escape PHEV SEL. I agree with Alex's description of it as being a bit boring & pragmatic. I don't need flashy so for me that is just fine! Interior is plain Jane, but controls are the controls intuitive and easy to adapt to. I found the ride a bit firm but comfortable. Pricing, if you qualify for the Fed Tax Credit, the price is very reasonable. At this point, there are none of these available with 100 miles of Seattle. IMO the Escape PHEV is a excellent utilitarian car with exception mpg (better than RAV4), I fear that Ford goofed by not offering the PHEV in AWD and that will hurt their sales. In the end we purchased a 2022 Outback mainly because we have had excellent service with 3 previous Subarus and felt a need for the extra cargo area. If I were to replace my current "city car" (2019 Niro getting 125 empg) for something larger, I'd choose the Escape PHEV. That said, the '23 Mitsu Outlander PHEV has even better fuel economy than the Escape as well as more space if you don't mind the design & size.

[@johnkeen2345]

Great review, had mine since June. Very please with it.

[@afrodragon4187]

Great Job

[@nattga]

The Sweet Escape lol

[@zekew7546]

Alex, near end od video, did you mean to say Santa Fe is same size as the Escape? Maybe, you meant the Edge? Think so

[@damilolaakanni]

The Edge is getting long in the tooth, as well as Nissan's Murano. I'm surprised they've not discontinued it yet.

[@shamanthjilla]

I came for car reviews and Alex gave me a peep into the psyche of the average American

[@ekalenak]

I bought a prius prime a year ago and I absolutely love it. (small quibble is the prime's bad infotainment system). I think the PHEV is definitely the way to go in most systems IF your HVAC system includes a heat pump for heating.

[@markburch5851]

Could not agree more, have a 2022 PriusPrime and love it, only have 1700 miles on it but averaging 170mpg and have only put fuel in n once, and around $25 worth of electricity - not too shabby for sure

[@markburch5851]

I think Alex put it best in his review, why lug around a massive battery if you can charge frequently?

[@whatsthedileo]

Also bought a Prius Prime a year ago. I love the car, but I've never hated an infotainment system more in my life. Even with Apple CarPlay the touch points are so annoyingly tiny.

[@markmiller3279]

The heat pump is essential - IF you live in a climate with cold winters. In coastal California (or many other places) it's unnecessary weight, coat, and complexity.

[@alwaysiyi272]

It’s a nice SUV, but in the segment the RAV4 Prime is hard to beat. It has more power and standard AWD

[@compbiocheminfo5647]

Any chance for a Corsair Grand Touring review as well?

[@tophlovr]

Has Ford's reliability improved? We had a 1998 Ford Windstar that left us stranded so so many times. It was a new gremlin every time. Has Ford worked on reliability or are they still going to leave me putting more miles on my sneakers than the cars tires?

[@CSLFiero]

the bottom line on phev's is that gasoline will always be more energy dense than batteries. you can get a battery car to go 400 miles under the right conditions. but that all evaporates once you raise it, give occupents more gizmos and a higher seating position, ask it to perform in sub zero or heaven forbid start using it as a work vehicle, cargo vehicle, or trailer puller. which is why I'm so surprised there are going to be 3-5 ev trucks by then end of 2023 and no phev trucks

[@ALMX5DP]

"gasoline will always be more energy dense than batteries" I hope that's not true, really interested in seeing some solid state or alternative chemistry whatever which makes batteries much more space/weight efficient.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Chemistry says it will always be true...

[@ALMX5DP]

@@AAutoBuyersGuide well I hope that we can make some progress towards parity, or at least in terms of energy efficiency for an entire vehicle due to electric motor advantages over the ICE. Many things seemed impossible at one point or another in history, but breakthroughs sometimes surprise. I'll just keep my fingers crossed we arent at a plateau.

[@CSLFiero]

@@ALMX5DP efficiency is that more attainable goal. batterys just won't make it there, but we can get efficiency so high, it will barely matter. unfortunatly achieving that efficiency will definitely require the driver to be removed from the equation so that computers can have us all driving at 100-150mph within centimeteres from eachother.

[@howardpm411]

Love my Escape PHEV. Had it since October. But the check engine light has come on twice and Ford doesn't know why. Also a few other annoying issues that Ford also doesn't have an answer for. Before it got cold outside I was getting close to 45 miles on EV only. Now I'm getting about 28 in EV with the temperature below 40.

[@goodaromas]

Same battery fall of with my PHEV. Om my last tank of gas got 144mpg

[@stefanbololoi7110]

How do you feel is the acceleration/ torque on your escape phev? Do you think it’s peppy or more like sluggish? Thanks

[@ruthwik081]

In -2 F, I am getting 20-22. Is it normal for winter? Any one with any other plug in from Hyundai or Toyota have the same impact of winter on their range?

[@alexdhutanu]

Guys, I have a 2014 Prius PHV. 4.4kw lithium battery. I get max 27km in 25 degrees Celsius, down to 17km in 10 degrees Celsius. It’s normal.

[@nacholibre1465]

That battery placement in the spare really makes you question their dedication to engineering.

[@ALMX5DP]

Engineering takes into account all aspects surrounding a product. Being based on a rather old ICE vehicle, it makes sense how they approached a PHEV version.

[@nacholibre1465]

@@ALMX5DP it certainly seems an afterthought.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@nacholibre1465 reality isnt always what it seems.

[@nacholibre1465]

@@ALMX5DP that's some fortune cookie wisdom there, it's not the first time I've seen a battery mounted in the trunk. It is the first time I've seen them just slap it in the center of the spare wheel well and call it a day.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@nacholibre1465 Audi RS3 has a very similar setup (maybe a bit more foam around it, but then again it is an Audi). That's just the first that comes to mind for me, I'm sure there are many others that are more under the Radar.

[@siraff4461]

The engine charging battery mode is locked out while you're in eco mode. You have a few differences on that compared to my (UK Kuga) April 2021 car. There is a blank next to one of your heated seat buttons which I don't have (can't remember what it is but I'll look later), no foam divider under the boot floor, no pulls for the rear seats in the boot and a few other things. You didn't mention the rear seats sliding (unless I missed it) so I presume thats another thing missing. Mine also felt like it had really weird steering when it was new but as the miles have gone up it seems to have calmed down a bit. Its still a bit eager to be off centre but not the almost unstable experience it had when it was new.

[@siraff4461]

I just checked and its for the heated windscreen.

[@gregkramer5588]

The dang tax credit really effects a small part of the US population. This needs to be fixed! I like the vehicle.

[@artshawaii]

It's a pretty good alternative to the Rav4 Prime. But still can't beat it!

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Alex, are there any PHEV’s that have a heat pump to supply AC and cabin heating? Thank you so much, Alex

[@AlaskaErik]

Perfect for getting stuck on I-95 in Virginia. Pure electrics, not so much.

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIlIl-v9h]

When comparing the Toyota PHEV keep in mind they charge for remote start and the use of the app. Even if you only use the key FOB. Ford does not charge for the key FOB remote start nor use of the app.

[@ronrowland4533]

As near as I can figure the only way you can get memory seats is with the $4,500 option package

[@mikee2794]

I thought the vehicle has sliding rear seats? That would drastically improve leg room. Did Ford remove that feature for the plug in?

[@GHinWI]

The hybrid seats certainly do slide

[@dmshurz]

They do have sliding rear seats in the plug-in as well

[@MARTINRIGGSS]

13:02 - for a bit. The video begins to mess up.

[@tyhend88]

Just put my order in. We'll see how long it takes.

[@nevco8774]

For some reasons all sourses provide the internal charger capacity in PHEVs like Hyundai Santa Fe or Tucson as well as in Kia Sorento - slightly above 3 kW the way it is in lower trim of Toyota RAV4 Prime as well. Meantime upper trim in RAV4 Prime has a slightly higher than 7 kW charger. I never could find any info about Ford Escape PHEV on board charger parameters though. I hoped Alex would bring that up but the charging parameters were never mentioned in the video.

[@pheverdream5618]

My PHEV Escape draws 3.8KW from my 240V ChargePoint charger. It drew a peak of about 1280W on 120V.

[@Gooftroop45]

The Chevy Volt is rated at 106 mpge. Rated for 53 miles on 14 kWh of used battery from a 18.4 kWh pack.

[@markmiller3279]

And it's a small car with limited cargo space...

[@WanderingAroundAZ]

I have the same exact Escape (Titanium Elite pkg, interior/exterior) only in the hybrid model. I love it. A couple points you mentioned… I’m about the same height/weight as Alex but I don’t find the seat bottom depth to be an issue, but when I first got mine I found the seat bottom width to be an issue. 3K miles later, I’m use to it. Alex mentions a seat back release in the hatch, but didn’t show it and I don’t believe it exists (unless Ford changed them for the 2022 model year). Also, Alex mentions 4-way ratcheted headrests, but doesn’t show them in action and I believe they are only 2-way (unless Ford changed them for the 2022 model year). I live in Phoenix and one of the reasons I got the Escape over the RAV4 is the liquid cooled battery. So far, I really like my hybrid Escape. It replaces a 2018 Ford Fusion.

[@MrEdZareh]

Subaru Crosstrek phev is comparable to the Kia Niro... worth mentioning.

[@TWARDOWSKY.]

Face like Porsche, back like Kuga, eCVT lik Toyota very nice car!

[@dasshape00]

If it was all wheel drive, I'd get.. its a no go

[@luluiscarried]

If you're suggesting 245 tires, would you keep winter tires the same at 225?

[@drewdugan9916]

The sweet escape…I get it, no doubt.

[@richardowens9061]

Over Christmas, I averaged 40.8 mpg from Atlanta to Huntsville, AL, 42.8 mpg from Huntsville, AL to Anniston, AL, and 44.7 mpg from Anniston, AL back to Atlanta - in a non-hybrid 2021 Toyota Camry SE, rated at 29mpg city/39mpg highway. So, these efficiency numbers for the 2022 Ford Escape are not very impressive, to me.

[@awib]

How fast were you going? I have a 2015 Camry SE and if I go 70 mph I can get 38 mpg sometimes on some routes. I’ve been considering getting a hybrid Camry or hybrid RAV4.

[@nacholibre1465]

The truth is when it comes to highway miles an ice car can be more effecient.

[@richardowens9061]

@@nacholibre1465 Yes, I'm aware of that. I'm also enjoying combined city/highway average economy of 33.7mpg - not much less than the Ford Escape PHEV.

[@richardowens9061]

@@awib I was averaging about 65-70 mph between Atlanta and Exit 306 on I-75, and then averaged about 40 mph from there to Huntsville on state highways with red lights and stop signs. I averaged about 50 mph between Huntsville, AL and Anniston, AL on state highways without many red lights or stop signs. And, about 70 mph on I-20 from Anniston, AL to Atlanta. And, the 2021 Toyota Camry SE is more efficient than the 2015 model. I think it's the 8 speed automatic that is making the difference.

[@xulong]

... there's a huge difference between a car and a crossover that's shaped like a brick. escape phev also weighs 300-600 lbs more than a camry.

[@peterbland7227]

Nice review. Drivetrain not too different than my 2013 C-Max Energi. When I was commuting from Half Moon Bay to South San Francisco, FWD was not an issue. Now that I’m retired and live in snow country, the FWD is a deal breaker.

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

AWD plugin Maverick would be my perfect vehicle.

[@donmunaweera1346]

Alex, when is the Kia Sorento PHEV review coming out? I just ordered one. Nearly a 4 month wait.

[@mva6044]

Any news of plug-in hybrid Bronco? Afterall, Jeep Wrangler has one...

[@Drogos79]

plan on comparing it to Tuscon Hybrid?

[@HP-bi5py]

Escape Looks like a great PHEV, wish it has all wheel drive.

[@WhittyPics]

I don't want a pure EV but I may be tempted in a hybrid. Acceleration in EV is a bit disappointing. I would think the electric motor would be faster than that. I guess you need both EV and gas motor to get full acceleration. For someone that takes mostly short trips to the grocery, one may not need the gas motor at all but it is nice to have for longer trips.

[@richardludvigh700]

Just front wheel drive on the PHEV is a huge dealbreaker

[@trevorl8104]

Is there any way to heat the Escape in winter without running the engine? I didn’t hear any mention of a PT heater, much less a heat pump. On Alex’s recent Niro PHEV review, the electric heater was pointed out, mentioning that the engine won’t need to start for heat when operating in EV mode. This review helpfully points out that flooring the accelerator will not cause the engine to auto start below 86 mph, but no mention of heat. This Escape appears to be a good value versus the RAV4 Prime, except the fact that I would prefer not to have to choose between commuting to work in a 50F car or operating a PHEV with its gas engine running for the first half hour. I couldn’t find any comments about this detail. What’s the story with heat?

[@jeffwest7419]

Yes, I own a 2022 Escape phev and the engine does not need to run to generate heat for the cabin. Also in the settings you can preheat the cabin while car is still plugged in

[@lego4virgo]

So the PHEV is in FWD only? I have an S with AWD, which of course affects the MPG.

[@MrCarpediem6]

no AWD is a bummer tho :S

[@richsw49]

Now if it could be purchased somewhere other than a ZEV state it would be nice. Same for Rav4 prime and many of the EV's.

[@whiteandnerdytuba]

We’re going to miss out on the golden age of plug ins with forced electric cars rather than natural progression

[@Joe-eg7ml]

had this for a rental in sweden but was called a kuga.

[@stefanbololoi7110]

Nice review as always! I’m debating between the escape phev and Ioniq 5…. Very difficult decision to make… I used to drive a ford Cmax phev and was an amazing fuel efficient car… 3000-5000 km per tank; now I’m driving a 2020 Ioniq Ev , great car but being 6’3’’ I have no headroom…. That’s why I want to change it with a car with more headroom … what’s your opinion? Thanks

[@GustavoM90]

Would you fit in a Mach e?

[@jmodic]

Wow, Hard decision I will have...I was all Rav4 plugin but seeing this and the price and efficiency maybe a better choice based on price. Have to think more about it.

[@swanblake]

What a poor braking distance to get to a full stop from 60mph. Would be really interesting if you did the 0 to 60mph time with the battery fully depleted as well just for a worst case scenerio. Appreciate you giving the time with battery only as well. I really like that the Tuscan Plug In hybrid faster charging than this Ford and would be the reason I would skip this Ford although I do like the Escape's looks a lot more.

[@kevinc7756]

I'm looking for a phev comparison video! In what order will you recommend RAV4 prime, Escape plug in, Santa Fe plug in? The price delta is ~5k between Escape plug in and RAV4 prime/Santa Fe plug in now.