Comments on Soultek.com: Ford Escape Hybrid Test drive

I am about to buy a used Escape hybrid but am conc...

2008-03-11T18:03:00.000-07:00

I am about to buy a used Escape hybrid but am concerned about the batteries going bad. It's a 2005.

did the old escape hybrid offer bluetooth handsfre...

2007-09-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

did the old escape hybrid offer bluetooth handsfree? I just ordered a new 2008 Escape Hybrid, and they don't offer it with Bluetooth built-in.

I drive my Hybrid in the canadian winter. The truc...

2006-06-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

I drive my Hybrid in the canadian winter. The truck performs above my expectations, but the transition gaz/electric is a little harsh at minus 20 and colder...

Its an AWD and it drives A-1 in snow and on ice.

I am proud to help preserving our planet by using a hybrid, but in numbers, i will never save in 5 years the hybrid costs...

But it's my small contribution for life quality...

Nice job FORD, keep on that way!!!

Robert

Re: my automotive credentialsI am not a car nut. I...

2006-05-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

Re: my automotive credentials

I am not a car nut. I once bought a book and learned how to fix many things on my '94 Nissan Sentra XE, simply because I like to do things myself. That's as mechanically technical as I've ever become regarding automobiles.

I am computer guy, which means I can understand the software that runs a hybrid far better than I can understand the internal combustion engine.

Still, since computers are VITAL for hybrid technology and becoming VITAL for the future of automobiles, I'd say that ups my credentials. Computers are the future, the internal combustion engine is the past.

I'm not a pure car nut because for me transportation is about getting from point a to point b, which is why I've built my life around the Goldline subway in Los Angeles.

Even though I live in California, I've thought the car culture in America - where looking cool while going from point A to point B, regardless of efficiency, was and is ignorant.

Hybrid cars made me realize that technology, not just conservation, could finally break America of what I consider to be one of the greatest issues facing America, foreign oil dependency.

I am not a hybrid fan because I think it's the coolest automotive technology - although I do - I promote it because I believe in technology as the answer to America's foreign oil dependency, particularly since Americans so dearly love gas-guzzling power.

The essence of Soultek is technology, but technology with soul - that is technology which is equally motivated by creating a better world for people as much as it is motivated by profit, in other words, humanistic technology.

This venture will probably never be very profitable, but I don't care. I am driven by passion, not profit, and I believe in what I'm doing.

How many so-called automotive experts spin their writing to flatter GM because they want a piece of its essential-for-survival advertising budget? I'd say almost every major autorag often fits that category.

My goal, Soultek's goal, is to promote hybrid cars to make a better world, the typical autorag goal is to sell enough advertising space to make a profit.

Thanks Denis -You are right. As you know, many veh...

2006-05-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks Denis -

You are right. As you know, many vehicles are now inline, yet most Americans still call an inline 4 a V4. I shop for hybrid vehicles regularly, and almost every salesperson calls the Ford Escape hybrid a V4. The real point, especially in terms of hybrid efficiency, is still the number, an inline 4 versus an inline 6 offers much higher fuel economy. Nonetheless, it is a poor habit.

Dear author,The Escape Hybrid is NOT a "V4". It's ...

2006-05-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

Dear author,

The Escape Hybrid is NOT a "V4". It's an inline 4!! Makes me wonder what your automotive credentials are.

Hybrid Fan

I have done about 75% highway and 25% city over th...

2005-03-28T10:34:00.000-08:00

I have done about 75% highway and 25% city over the 1500 miles I have owned it. In the city, I have been getting 37 on the dash board computer, but have not filled up yet to verify with actual gallons pumped. On my highway driving, the dash computer reads about 1.5 to 2.0 on the high side. A reading of 36 is more like 34 in real life. Still good in my book.

John, the way you describe your driving, in a way,...

2005-03-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

John, the way you describe your driving, in a way, reminds me of how I used to commute into Los Angeles. Lots of coasting and you are forced to be gentle on the gas pedal. In fact, breaking is the most common action.

Have you driven your Escape hybrid in much stop and go traffic?

You must modify your driving a bit. Interstate 70...

2005-03-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

You must modify your driving a bit. Interstate 70 is posted as 75 MPH most of the trip. I eased up and went 60-65 MPH uphill, then managed about 80 MPH going downhill. By being VERY gentle on the gas pedal, you can get excellent economy. The Mountains may be better than flat land. Going down hills steep enough to coast ( 5% or more )you don't use a drop of gas. Going downhill mostly ( Continental Divide to Denver )Use used gas for about 5 miles out of 30. - John in Colorado.

That's good news. I can't believe the Escape hybri...

2005-03-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

That's good news. I can't believe the Escape hybrid was able to surpass the highway EPA estimates on mountain driving.

I purchased a FWD Escape Hybrid in March. With VE...

2005-03-23T11:17:00.000-08:00

I purchased a FWD Escape Hybrid in March. With VERY gentle driving, you can match the EPA sticker of 36 MPG but it takes some effort and modified driving techniques. You must be very light on the gas pedal, accelerate slowly, and coast as much as possible around town. HOWEVER... on a recent drive from California to Colorado over the Rocky Mountains, under some demanding mountain drivng conditions, the Escape Hybrid SURPASSED the EPA rating of 31 MPG highway. Over 400 miles of mountian driving I averaged 34 MPG at speeds between 65 and 80 MPH.
This little engine actually gets better mileage at higher speeds than lower. Optimum speed, about 40 - 45 MPH can achieve 40 MPG.
The battery power is meant more as a boost, than for continuous driving. Using the battery only for continuous driving yeilds only 4 miles on a charge, a bit disappointing... but the gasoline engine has exceeded my expectations with about 34 miles to a gallon. Not bad since this is a heavy vehicle. - John