Fuel efficiency has always been a big consideration when weighing the pros and cons of different vehicles. Drivers now face even more choices which include Traditional petroleum-powered cars, completely electric vehicles, or hybrids. Hybrids run on both electric and gas power. A late-model plug-in hybrid should reduce petroleum use by 30 to 60 percent. The 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is a perfect example of just how efficient hybrids are.

Why the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is so wonderfully efficient

MotorTrend considers the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid to be the most fuel-efficient SUV money can buy. 

The Ford Escape relies on a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor. The complete lack of rear-wheel drive and the high-quality design provide the Escape with the edge it needed to obtain an mpg-e score that’s a full 8 MPGe higher than the RAV4 Prime.

The current estimates are that the Ford Escape will get about 100 MPGe while the RAV4 Prime’s EPA is only 94 MPGe. The estimated total electric range of the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is 37 miles.

In addition to the front-wheel-drive setup and the 2.5-liter engine, the Ford Escape PHEV is equipped with a 14.4 kWh battery pack. Everything combines to provide the vehicle with a 221 hp. Owners should expect that it will take 11 hours to charge the Level 1 (a 110-volt battery) and just 3.3 hours to fully charge the Level 2 (240-volt) battery.

How does this plug-in hybrid drive?

The size of the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid makes it a good choice for smaller families or people who like to travel with a dog or two. The hybrid model has a two-row seating design that allows it to transport up to five people.

The front seats are well-designed, comfortable, and provide front passengers with a surprising amount of head and legroom. The amount of legroom back passengers enjoy will depend heavily on how far back the front seats are. In most cases, children will be quite comfortable in the back, but long-legged adults might find the space cramped.

Like many hybrids, the battery pack takes up a great deal of space, so there isn’t as much cargo space in the back of the vehicle as you’d get in a non-hybrid version of the vehicle. However, there’s still enough space to store a few pieces of luggage, some sports equipment, or a few bags of dog food.

In terms of driving, the Ford Escape PHEV offers a very nice ride. Even though people will likely primarily use this vehicle in city and highway driving conditions, Ford did equip the vehicle with enough stability features that you can expect a smooth ride, even when your driving on rough roads. It’s agile and balanced around sharp curves, and it provides drivers with responsive handling.

U.S. News put the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid in third place on their list of Best Hybrid and Electric SUVs for 2021.

Purchasing a 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid

If the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid seems like the perfect car for you, you can purchase the SE with a 110-volt battery, which is the base trim, for $33,895, but that will decrease when you consider the $6,843 federal tax credit connected to the hybrid. It’s also possible that the vehicle will qualify for additional state and even municipal credits. You can also choose from the SEL and Titanium trim options.