This month we had two opportunities to try Ford’s 2024 Escape, across two models. The Platinum HEV (pictured in red) and the PHEV FWD (shown in blue).
The main difference between the two being the engine. With the HEV hybrid combining a conventional internal combustion engine system with an electric propulsion system. And the PHEV being a Plug-In Hybrid that uses an electric battery as the primary power source, and only defaults to gas when the battery runs low.
For range, the HEV hybrid electric has an impressive 898km on a full tank, which is the most we have seen from any subcompact. Whereas the PHEV gives you 774km on a full tank. With a fuel economy of 60km on electric alone, and an additional 17km in combined city/highway driving using the gas engine.
On the dash of the hybrid plug-in you get a gauge that indicates when the car is charging, when it is using electricity to coast, and when you are applying pressure to the gas and it goes into hybrid mode.
This was then furthered with the use of Eco-mode for both. There are three drive modes outside of “normal”, each offering its own visual on the infotainment centre screen. A calming green plot of land with what looks like the spokes of an air conditioning vent for “eco”. “Sport” has an industrial looking gear, and “slippery” is a pool of water with droplets splashing down.
You can hear both the hum of the partial electric motor, as well as the growl of the gas engine, offering you the best of both worlds for hybrid sounds.
The exterior and interior of the two were otherwise similar, and ironically familiar as we actually own the 2011 Ford Escape. Therefore we couldn’t help but to compare the 13 year difference and document the leaps and bounds they have come in between the decade.
The cabin has evolved and advanced with what is now standard vehicle trends and features. Push button start, turn dial gear shift, wireless charging pad, both c and usb cable ports, as well as a 12v adaptor. The rest is minimalist with individual climate control done on the touch screen. This includes heated seats and wheel.
The lumber in our outdated Ford Escape has an after market cushion lumbar, because it is so worn down. Therefore the hard and firm support from 2024 was a treat. But at least both have electric seat adjustments. Similarly we had to buy after market seat heating, but it is built in here and they threw in the wheel heater as well.
The moon roof is much more than a crack overhead. It stretches down the body of the vehicle and allows for natural light and an overhead view for both front and second rows to enjoy.
Aesthetically, there are so many advances in features, but the same textured plastic dash and door trim between model years. Accept with the 2024 Escape it came with some more polishing and a couple of metal facades.
Behind the wheel everything is digitized to follow with the partial electric feel. A digital screen that reads how many kilometres to the pump, the speed limit versus how fast you are going, and a Birds Eye view of the vehicle above. All this versus the traditional analog odometer.
Comparing the two with the years apart like this has really made us appreciate how far the car industry as come and how more consumer driven it now is. And on the flip side we are now unsatisfied with the vehicle we own, looking into how we can upgrade it with something more in line with the 2024 Ford Escape, especially with the cost savings in fuel consumption.
