Escape's hybrid version a winner

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2007 | by James R. Healey

Ford Motor updated its Escape small SUV, and while it is considerably gentrified compared with its predecessor, it seems insufficiently improved to keep up with rivals.

For 2008, the Escape, a pioneer among carlike SUVs and third-best-selling SUV in the country, is quieter, smoother, uglier outside and possibly inside, burdened by long-in-the-tooth gasoline drivetrains, but continues to offer one of the industry's best gasoline-electric hybrid powertrains.

Short version: If you're looking for a small SUV, there are better ones. If you want a small hybrid SUV, or a small hybrid of any kind with all-wheel drive or SUV-type utility, there aren't.

One of the test vehicles, a $31,000 gasoline V-6 Escape Limited with all-wheel drive, makes the point...