> 2012 Escape Features: Green

The Escape Hybrid is a full hybrid. It can start off from a complete stop and move to 44 mph on electricity alone, during light acceleration. No fuel is used. And even when the gasoline engine kicks in, it delivers an outstanding 34 city mpg.* Yet the driving experience is virtually identical to that of a conventional SUV. Escape Hybrid provides comfortable seating for up to five, a versatile cargo area and a variety of standard and optional features. You can even add an available Intelligent 4WD System for enhanced traction when the road is covered with gravel or ice, or soaked by rain.

*EPA-estimated 34 city/31 hwy/32 combined mpg, FWD. Actual mileage will vary.

It’s in city driving where the Escape Hybrid excels. At speeds up to 44 mph, it can travel in the electric mode using no gasoline and producing virtually zero emissions. When the gas engine does kick in, the transition is seamless. The 2.5L Atkinson-cycle I-4 gasoline engine and electric motor combine to deliver an impressive 34 city mpg.*

*EPA-estimated 34 city/31 hwy/32 combined mpg, FWD. Actual mileage will vary.

The innovative Escape Hybrid nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery is completely sealed, securely encased and stored neatly under the flat rear cargo area load floor. What's more, the Regenerative Braking System recharges the NiMH battery each time you apply the brakes. A unique hybrid component, it's covered by the 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty in non-California emissions states and the 10-year/150,000-mile limited hybrid battery warranty in certain other green-conscious states. See your dealer for details.

When you apply the brakes in a conventional vehicle, the kinetic energy produced during the braking process is lost as heat. During braking in the Escape Hybrid, the vehicle’s electric motor captures a portion of the energy and sends it back to the battery pack to be stored for later use. Thus, whenever you apply the brakes, you’re also recharging the vehicle’s battery pack. How’s that for smart?

Not only does the Escape Hybrid thrive in city driving, it's easy on the environment too, meeting strict super ultra low emission vehicle (SULEV II) and advanced technology partial zero emissions vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards.

The standard, innovative Earth-friendly cloth seat fabric in the Escape XLT and the Escape Hybrid is made from 100 percent post-industrial materials — polyester fibers that would have ended up in landfills otherwise. Furthermore, the cushions use a bio-based polyurethane foam derived from the oils of various plant seeds, such as soybeans. More than simply "green," the durable, comfortable and stylish nature of the material also makes it a perfect fit for the Escape.

The available 240-horsepower 3.0L Duratec® V6 engine for the Escape is flex fuel-capable. It’s designed to operate on standard unleaded gasoline or E85 alternative fuel. Such flexibility allows the vehicle owner to choose E85 fuel, which is a combination of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent conventional gasoline, wherever it's available for purchase.

In addition to the standard 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, the Escape Hybrid comes with an extended 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty covering unique hybrid components. These are the high-voltage battery (non-California emissions states), electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT) and DC/DC converter. These are extended to a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty in certain states. See your dealer for complete limited-warranty details.