It may have taken five years, but someone finally made a hybrid out of something other than a bite-size passenger car. Adding extra economy to economy cars is always deserving of applause, but why not spread the technology to segments starving for it? How about helping out America's transport module of choice, the beloved sport-utility vehicle? Come on, throw a dog a bone.So Ford tossed one, and the public is biting. The Escape may only be one of six hybrids in 2005 but is only the second to get it right by showing up with a "full" or "parallel" hybrid powertrain, meaning it can be driven by its gas engine, its electric engine, or both simultaneously. No halfway Honda hybrids here, no sir. Call the Escape late, but don't call it unprepared.You may remember that the Escape first came out as a 2001 model that was identical to the Mazda Tribute aside from having a softer suspension. The first batch of these Mazda 626-based SUVs was recall city and repair rates were shaky, but both points have stabilized. Other good news for all 2005 models include a floor-mounted transmission shifter, slight styling revisions, and Ford's 2.0-liter Zetec 4-cylinder getting shelved to make room for the peppy 2.3-liter 4 from Mazda's 3 and 6 sedans.
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