Answer
I worked at a ford dealership for 3 years, the escape hybrids are nice, and have as much pickup as the v6 models when you need it. to get the best fuel mileage, you should be in stop-and-go or city traffic a lot, and try and stay on the electric motor as much as possible (the gas engine kicks in at about 25 mph). if you commute on the highway a lot, you should not get a hybrid anything, it is a waste, as the electric motor rarely gets used alone.that means to get the best mileage, you will be creeping away from stoplights and clogging traffic on the highways like those annoying prius drivers trying to hit the mythical 60 mpg.the gas savings you get vs. a 4 cylinder or v6 escape will only balance out the premium you pay for the hybrid tech after about 7 years, and by then you will be looking at replacing the batteries ($3000+). this is the case with all hybrids, not the escape.