Is This 2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Really Worth The $43K Price Tag? Here Are The Pros & Cons! 

My wife just drove almost 1k on about 3/4 tank on her phev pacifica. Despite the drawbacks I believe the phev platform is the smartest solution for the current battery tech and infrastructure limitations.

It's only got an 11gal tank, but that's enough to get you 450-500 miles on gas alone. I'm not seeing the problem here.

I was just thinking about this hybrid plug-in. My wife loves her 2017 Ford Escape with 2.0 Ecoboost AWD, 6 speed. I think the platform is underrated.

One reason that I am buying an Escape PHEV rather than the Rav4 Prime is that I could not find a Rav4 Prime and the Toyota dealer would not let me order one. I ordered my Escape PHEV a month ago and they are building it in Louisville this week. FWIW I'm not interested in AWD think the Toyota is downright ugly.

Bravo on the e-CVT vs CVT distinction. Honestly, the two transmissions shouldn't share the name as they're worlds apart in operation.

I own this car, you talking about having to hit the button to open the fuel tank is very odd. the reason for that is gas thieves. the issue doesn't happen with the electricity. This is an incredible car I am averaging 190 miles to the gallon. so having the small gas tank is not an issue. My Toyotas never came close on fuel economy....

As a person with a PHEV, getting gas is a rarity. That filler door “issue” will only bug you about once a month at most. You charge it daily. That is why they make the charge door more convenient to open I think.

Ford Fusion Energi was a PHEV, way back in 2013. Ford’s worked on PHEV tech for over a decade.

C-max energy battery in the trunk made it sit up 4" higher than the folded down back seats. We looked at one and decided that it wasn't going to work to sit 2 medium dogs back there. Apart from that it was a pretty nice ride. Probably a good reason why it didn't sell well.

Skinny tires and smallest fuel tank=it’s a PHEV! They’re meant for more efficiency and to get you away from using fuel. I was getting 47 mpg in the regular hybrid in town, with very little effort. With all electric capability, I bet I can push that well into the 50 mpg range. And MPGe rating is kinda useless, I wish they’d drop that.

I've had my Escape or Kuga as it is known in the UK now for nearly a year. My normal drive to work and back is 12 miles so still on my second tank of fuel. For the price it's a brilliant car and yes the Toyota may be faster and have 4WD but an extra 10K..... nah. One point and don't know why, the Kuga PHEV UK spec. comes with 19" or 20" wheels and the 18"s defiantly look a bit skinny. I chose the 19" for ride comfort and road noise. Good review

I have one of these and we fill it up about once every 1.5k to 2k miles. No issues with the gas tank size lol!

The whole point of gas door release is to keep people from stealing gas. Can't steal electricity from the charge port. Thanks for the review.

I’ve had this phev for about six months now. 5000km and only on my second tank of gas. And the only reason I’m on my second tank is I was worried the gas would start to go bad if I didn’t use it. This is a great vehicle if your commute is under 55km. My commute is 50 km each way but I charge for free at work so it’s perfect

A cheaper option, the Escape Hybrid with AWD. I picked up mine a week ago. I got the SE with heated seats and heated steering wheel, sticker was $33k before rebates. I’m averaging 40.3mpg on a 40 mile round trip daily commute, 30 freeway miles and 10 city miles, 14.3 gallon fuel tank. Also came with dual climate control, Sirius radio and Apple car play.

I put Michelin tires on my 2018 Prius Prime and it rides so much better. No more squealing out as I hit the gas or around corners. It grips the road and I feel a lot safer

Actually the Cmax energi and Fusion energi came out in I believe 2014. I owned 2 of them and they were bulletproof as far as the drivetrain and electric components.

Bad actors can steal gas or put unwanted fluids in the gas tank if you park on city streets. You can't do that with the plug. Hence why the fuel door is locked.

As far as the AWD question... The answer is yes and THEY DO! The Lincoln Corsair PHEV comes in an AWD variant!

This can tow 1500 pounds. The Ecvt system from the Maverick is an updated (and better./more power/lighter) system then the one found int he Escape--just not a plug in (yet).

Don't really get the fuss over the screen size, I'm not trying to watch a movie on my way to work, I'd prefer going back to the separate radio and climate controls anyways. I'm dealing with a busted factory radio in my fiesta and its such a headache compared to how it used to be.

Problem the price tag! Better competitors for sure! Thanks for the video

I live in Michigan and I have drove on snowy roads, in the recent winter storms I drove in Wyoming state highways with hilly uncleared roads with snow in some places without much issues. Definitely cannot go off-road but never really missed AWD. I didn't get the moon roof but got the premium package, and with ford rebates and A/Z plan I got this for 38k including destination charges. I considered RAV4 prime and Tuscon phev but due to dealer markups and very low availability of those vehicles in mid West, going with escape was a no brainier.

The fuel tank is pressurized in the hybrid models, the button tells it to depressurize before opening

Ford has had plugin hybrids since the first generation Fusion. They have a tone of experience with them. Disappointing that they aren't doing this more instead of jumping straight into all electric. I personally own a '17 fusion PHEV. It's great for my short commute and small town errands.

I know a lot of people that have a C-Max may be looking at the escape like myself. The C-Max plug-in has been around since 2012 as a 2013 model year. When it was new it had about 20-24 miles of electric only range depending on if you're blasting the AC here in Florida. 10 years and 140,000 miles later it's at about 16-20 miles of electric only to give you an idea of how the battery lasts. Gas fuel economy wise, we're hovering in about 54 MPG around town in about 40 on the freeway. Really it's a great car for when it was built and it's still pretty good. I'm a little disappointed they didn't make a bigger leap with the Escape. Overall, fuel economy hasn't changed much and they're both about the same as far as 0 to 60. The escape just has more electric range but with the tiny gas tank less fuel range because of the tiny tank. The C-Max also handles a lot better than the escape without much of a difference in comfort. If the escape had all-wheel drive I would probably be a lock into getting one but as the C-Max still looks pretty much new inside and out and runs well I'm probably not going to bother upgrading until something worth upgrading to comes out.

Great call out on the tippy handling..... Noticed it right away coming from a CX5 (which I loved)

I really do like this vehicle and by the way what a great job you did on showing us this vehicle

I've actually been looking at one of these because it is only front wheel drive, because the manual says it can be flat towed behind a motor home. Are there any other plug in Hybrids on the market you can flat tow?

Great review. Testing one right now and the interior feels a little inexpensive for the $43k price. That said, it’s better than I thought and the fuel mileage is amazing!

7:39 "it's gonna be scintillating..."⚡️👍😎

Can't wait to get my hands on a phew Maverick

Fuel door is a safety feature due to an electric and gas motor

I don't miss the 4-wheel-Drive :)

I'm interested in one of these. 2023 the trim level changed. There rid no Titanium. The whole lineup has been renamed. The PHEV is its own trim line. Very well loaded. Most options you can think of are in it. There is one package and that's the luxury & tech package similar to the Maverick Lariat luxury package. Otherwise it's well equipped. Personally if it's all about efficiency a FWD should be more efficient than an AWD version. Simply less weight and less parts. I drive well above average mileage. I live in Pennsylvania but travel for work. Almost everyone buys an AWD SUV. I've perfectly content with FWD. It's cheaper by usually a couple thousand dollars. It's usually more fuel efficient by about 2 MPG or so. I've gone out of my way twice now with vehicle purchases to track down a FWD version compared to an AWD version of the same vehicle. . I like this vehicle but if I wait probably another year a person can buy a PHEV Maverick. I'm sure it's coming. New 2023 PHEV Escape is starting at $38,995. Fully loaded there is really only one package that adds $4350 to price. Destination of $1495. Every possible option. Still under $45,000. Also now, this qualifies for $7500 fed tax rebate

Ford released their Energi plug-in hybrids in 2013 with the Fusion and C-max

Its simple if you are on freeway or any highspeed road, use the ICE, you will get better efficiency. Save the battery for city driving where plugin is super efficient. I use a toyota prius prime and haven't filled gas since last 5 months.

We looked at one then did the math. Here in SoCal with electricity .35-.54 per kWh, it’s actually cheaper to use gas.

Hey Nathan, good review. Comment on the AWD issue: If you put the Escape PHEV up on a lift, it becomes clear why they can't use the AWD system from the plain hybrid model. The geometry and location of the PHEV's battery pack precludes a drive shaft from connecting the motors in the front to the rear wheels. And that design was adopted because it allow a simpler, one piece battery install. IF Ford were to drive the rear wheels with a second motor - like the RAV4 PHEV - that would work, but I doubt any engineering resources are being devoted to that. Unfortunately, because of the shared platform, this means there won't be PHEV AWD versions of either the Maverick or Bronco Sport (but you are right to speculate that PHEV versions of the Maverick and Bronco Sport are near certainties). We are going to have to wait until after 2025, and Ford's new architecture for electric utility vehicles (SUVs, trucks) to see more electric/AWD combinations in its line-up.

Everything is a compromise. The AWD is a compromise as well. I feel that FWD is great for some situations and some people - but AWD is required by other people in different situations. It's nice to know I can get FWD because I don't need nor want it where I live. But why is it not offered in AWD? and why is the FWD only at a 40K price? That should be the AWD price and the FWD should be less expensive option. So that's my thought

Our C-Max has the same 11 gal. fuel tank and we fill up about once every month and a half. So no, its not an issue. Also, regarding the gas fuel door being lockable. Well, gas can be stolen, but electricity can't be. If you want consistency, do you want them to leave your gas unlocked or make the charge port door lockable. Seems like an odd beef. BTW, our C-Max is a 2014 so we will be replacing it soon and I think this is a much better version of it. That said, it has been one of the best practical cars we have owned. Biggest complaint is the battery eating up cargo space, which this solves. We have considered the Mach-E but the reassurance of the PHEV is hard to beat. (not to mention much less expensive)

All wheel drive is over rated for most cases. Unless in extreme circumstances, you have a safer winter drive with snow tires in a FWD than AWD with regular tires. You can stop better with snow tires. I can tell you I have passed many all wheel drive cars with regular tires on hills with my my FWD running snow tires here in central -NY

When they build this into the Bronco Sport or Maverick, then I’ll buy those.

You can tow more in this then the RAV4. That is also something to consider.

Thanks for the review/ I am between the Rav 4 prime and this one. What is sync 3 or 4? So confusing!!!! Your review was very good. AWD or the lack thereof is a killer for me thought.

I bought this for my son because my Rivian just might be a little too much power for him. An understated drive train isn't always a bad thing.

Really great updates! I also appreciate that Ford didn't limit the electric only mode as some vehicles do where you can only use it under a certain speed. I wish Ford would make a hybrid Edge, but if the rumors are true the Edge is on its last model years.

Great review, we have a 2016 escape and love it and we were considering this next but I'm glad I watched your vid. I'm in Alberta Canada and all wheel drive is a must. Tisk tisk Ford. Won't be buying one now as I'm sure most northern folks won't. But great for people with no winter.

I thought a 13 gallon tank was small, oof. 13 gallons in my 2003 honda crv only takes me 225 miles before running on fumes.

I have this same car, in a different color. I used it to months, had under 4k miles and the car is already broken. A fault came up saying air in high voltage pump. Turns out the coolant pipe underneath was broken. I have not once drove this car outside paved road. They claim I did an off-road drive with a car that doesn't have FWD! ohh what I found out that this car lacks protection underneath, so when you buy the car it comes with a fabric, like felt, that protects all the crucial parts under the car. I'd you don't own a road cleaning vehicle to clean up the rd for you before you start driving, it is bound to have some stone hit the underneath and break it at no time... Shame on you Ford for such a cheap protection for such an expensive car...

Ford should, widen the track F/R by 4", put in the AWD, and larger battery, and larger gas tank.

People get it together, live and grew up in the mountains. Growing up only had rear wheel drive. You do not have all wheel drive, what you do have to have is mud and snow tires not all season tires and you will get by just fine.

Ugh glad I got the Rav4 Prime. Not likin the exterior. Was lookin in to one of these but the no AWD was a deal breaker.

I think it comes with a non refundable tax credit too! I want one!

Ford does have a Plug-In AWD version. It's called the Lincoln Corsair. I'm guessing they don't have AWD to make it more efficient and keep cost down.

We r in Sweden and our rental is a ford kuga which Is and Escape. Getting good mpg and really intrested in getting this vehicle.

the real question, is "is the Corsair GT worth the ~15k premium over the escape plugin"...

Fantastic car

The engine can't purge and clean burn the fuel vapor when engine is off so the fuel tank can be under pressure. You cant have fuel cap access until the tank is vented through canister. If the cap was removed you could have gasoline burped onto someone. We live in a world where spilled hot coffee can get get coffee seller sued. Imagine what spilled gasoline and disfiguring burns from a gasoline fire would do...

The Ford dealers around N. California are putting $5K on top of the listed price, really turned me off!

I want to know if either this Escape PHEV or the RAV4 Prime can be Flat Towed behind an RV?

Ford does make the AWD Plug-in Hybrid. It is called the Lincoln Corsair Grand Reserve, which ironically doesn't come in FWD or the regular hybrid. Just get out your wallet if you want the AWD because it has to be a Lincoln.

' Its underpinnings, its components...' In the trade, the car companies call that the PLATFORM. The Escape used the 2018 C2 PLATFORM. !

Cheaper than expected for fully loaded

What i cannot wait for is for axial flux electric motors to make their way to hub motor kits, around 300HP can fit inside of a 21 inch wheel, but these cars dont need 600HP powering the rear axel, imagine a 20lb 40kw motor in each rear wheel, giving you AWD, and allowing for completely isolated drive trains that can opertate independantly in 'limp mode' in case the other one stops working, and by not placing a transmission between the electric motor, and the axel, you're not losing nearly as much energy to the transmission

Sounds like what GM offered in the Volt.

“It’s going to be scintillating”? 😂

I'd much prefer the Rav 4 Prime.. I do want that AWD and power 🤷‍♂️

Nathan's never had his fuel siphoned, lol

0 to 60? YES!

I have a 2020 Ford Escape SE in black. It is not an electric vehicle. I only have it a little bit over 6 months now.

and the Ford Focus?

I have no use for 4 wheel drive. And i'd say most people don't either.

I ordered a Maverick in 2021. I'm still waiting. It will replaces my Tacoma and supplements my '14 Chevy Volt PHEV. If my Mav ever shows up I plan to trade it for a Maverick PHE:....

If you can pop the gas door from the outside to fill it up, the guy looking to siphon your gas certainly can too.

Complaining about the fuel tank capacity? LOL. With my all-electric daily commutes, I'm going to get more than 800 miles between refills. Why would I want to haul around the weight of additional gasoline?

I don't get the Porsche styling comparison on the front end, it actually reminds me more of a 1996 Ford Taurus. Not a fan. Neat vehicle though.

Mine shows 45 miles of electric. so if you are lighter of foot. more EV range. I have a chevy bolt euv too. The bolt makes me smile when i drive. I have Escape plug in SE. Its not fun to drive. it is boring like my old Camry Hybrid. BUT BUT BUT I love the fact that i can drive 20 miles to my rental house and back and not use any gas. Since I paid 19.5k for my Escape plug in. 2022. that makes daddy happy.

If this was AWD, I'd pick one up this weekend.

I would love to find a car that's good on gas and electricity and gets me from A to B and has large amounts of safety features. I say that became i am not an outdoorsy guy, i don't travel very often, and I'm not married nor have kids so don't need a large amount of space.

I think the gas is the button and the electric is just a push from the outside is because someone can siphon your gas but not your electric

Sadly it doesn’t have the AWD option. I purchased the 2022 hybrid AWD, works better in the northern Illinois. But… if you spend more money, you can get plug-in hybrid AWD in Lincoln Corsair. So, I guess Ford has the tech but just want you to spend more money on Lincoln.

It’s so your gas don’t get stolen Can’t open it from outside Have to have access inside to open it Simple smart security

I really like the moomins theme song but scooby doo where are you will always be the one

Could the editors drop the BGM when presenters are talking. This is a well presented and informative video that really is let down with distracting background music. Save it for the intro/transition/outro b-roll shots when there isn't any speaking and let's hear what needs to be said when it's said. Still, good work and a good vid.

Does it have a heat pump heater, or electric resistance? I wish reviewers would make this a standard point of discussion for electrified vehicles, because it makes a huge difference anywhere there’s winter.

Basically, a rebranded version of the Chevy Volt that GM decided to kill for no good reason whatsoever.

Basically every hybrid has a pressurized gas cap, how is that an issue…….?

"There are other options that might be more compelling." Don't be shy. Tell us.

Wait what, you are upset that Ford put a locked gas door on the car, but not one on the battery? Last I checked you can steal someones gas, but no ones stealing someones electricity. It's like you are missing the point of a plug-in hybrid. And that is for most people, the battery is enough for 95% of daily driving use, and no gas will be needed.

Great insights and real world observations. Thanks for the review.

First time viewer. I like Nathan.

That engine bay is a hot mess. Kinda typical for Ford. Gotta cut corners to save a buck.

Great summary of my experience Nathan.

Did someone ever told you you sound like Ezra Levant from Rebel News?

Wow what a great review you commented on things good and bad that are obvious that all other reviewers missed .I live in Canada so no way I would buy an SUV with no AWD because I need it and also if you try and sell a SUV with no AWD used in Canada no one will buy it.Also in Canada if fire had made the battery only about 10% bigger everyone would get an extra $2,500 rebate Some one at Ford should be fired over all the mistakes

I struggle to find a reason to pay that much money for a FWD vehicle. An AWD Hybrid Escape will make you save money from day one, is way cheaper and will probably hold a better resale value. That? Who will spend his money for this vehicle in 4 years, when AWD electrified vehicles are going to be very common? I understand they want to offer a cheaper option to compete against Hyundai's and Toyota's products. But you really can't compare them. You're buying a FWD crossover, here... I don't think it's a smart buy...

"Electricity rear end"

As a prior Ford fanboy I will never own one again, I had a Raptor and a twin turbo explorer, less than 50,000 miles on the explorer it had gone through 5 turbos. I retired from the army and taking my family from Fort Hood Texas to our home in Oregon the 5th turbo went out, Ford said they were done dealing with it and left us stranded, they knew we were in a bad position and couldn’t fight them in court at that moment and said “take us to court” so after only owning Ford my entire life their customer service shit all over my family. I traded the explorer for a Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy and my Raptor for a Ram Power Wagon, no more issues! Ford can eat a fatty

And I've never seen one on the road