This week, I’m talking about a vehicle that has gone virtually unnoticed since its introduction on the market, even though it deserves all your attention. This is the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV. The problem here is that Ford announced the arrival on the market of this version as soon as the new generation of the Escape was introduced on the market for 2020. However, it will have been necessary to wait almost 2 years in 2021 before seeing the first copies land in concession. It’s a shame, because the Escape PHEV remains one of the most competitive models in its segment with its electric range of 60 kilometers and its rather reasonable purchase price. Not to mention the fact that it offers one of the most varied ranges among PHEV models in its class.
Usually, when I tell you about a vehicle that I test drive, it is a model that is lent to me by a manufacturer or a dealership for a period of a few days up to a week all more. However, with the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV, things are different since it is my personal vehicle which I took possession of last February. The best part is that we had one of the coldest Februarys in history with temperatures of -35 and although the summer was milder, the temperature was still even climbed to over 33 degrees before the Humidex factor. In short, all that to say that I was able to put my Ford Escape PHEV to the test in the most extreme conditions.
Above-average battery life
The Ford Escape PHEV is equipped with a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder internal combustion engine that alone produces 165 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The latter is combined with an electric motor of 118 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque. When you combine the two, you get 221 horsepower.
Now, as for average consumption, Ford announces 5.5L/100km in the city and 6.2L/100km on the highway, but the chances of you obtaining such a fuel consumption rating are quite low, let me explain. In theory, the objective of a vehicle like the Ford Escape PHEV is to use electric propulsion to the maximum, in town and especially over short distances. The gas engine is only there for longer trips or to help warm the cabin in cold weather. It is therefore rare that you use the hybrid mode and it is essentially with the latter that you will obtain such average consumption. If this is your case, then a regular hybrid version of the Ford Escape should be more than enough.
As for the electric range, Ford advertises an average of 60 kilometers and this is where things get interesting in my opinion and people need a little education on the product in my opinion. So I’m going to tell you about my personal experience with the 2022 Escape PHEV. Since February, I’ve only had to put gas in my vehicle 4 times and I’m almost 9,000 kilometers away from completing, which means that I cover an average of 2,000 kilometers between each tank of fuel. At -35, my average range was around 26 kilometers. Between -10 and 10 degrees, the autonomy oscillated between 38 and 50 kilometers. I got the best average range between 15 and 30 degrees with 65 to 75 kilometers from a single charge. However, this figure should not necessarily be relied upon. because the actual autonomy depends a lot on the road you are traveling. If you drive 10 kilometers on the highway, the range may drop by 15 or even 20 kilometres. On the other hand, in the city, I happened to do 10 kilometers and only use 7 to 8 kilometers of autonomy. All that to say that it is practically impossible to calculate the exact autonomy of a trip unless you do it every day for at least a year. Finally, what is really important is that you are able to use the electric range to the maximum as I am, because that is where the Ford Escape PHEV really comes in handy. I happened to do 10 kilometers and only use 7 to 8 kilometers of range. All that to say that it is practically impossible to calculate the exact autonomy of a trip unless you do it every day for at least a year. Finally, what is really important is that you are able to use the electric range to the maximum as I am, because that is where the Ford Escape PHEV really comes in handy. I happened to do 10 kilometers and only use 7 to 8 kilometers of range. All that to say that it is practically impossible to calculate the exact autonomy of a trip unless you do it every day for at least a year. Finally, what is really important is that you are able to use the electric range to the maximum as I am, because that is where the Ford Escape PHEV really comes in handy.
However, to say that I am making big savings, it will take time to find out, because the base price of the Ford Escape PHEV is significantly higher than its comparable regular version. What I especially like is the comfort and quietness of the electric bearing. I recently went to Parc Oméga with my Escape PHEV and I must say that it was the best experience I have had in my life having been able to complete the course 100% electric.
The weak spots
Ford misses the mark a bit by not offering all-wheel drive for this version of the Escape, even though the system is available and even used on the Lincoln Corsair , a dressed-up cousin of the Ford Escape. The shape of the dashboard means that there isn’t much legroom for the front passengers, but that’s a typical problem with the Ford Escape in general. The Ford Escape PHEV’s battery is barely too small to qualify for the biggest government rebate.
The strong points
The average autonomy of 60 kilometers is a big advantage over the competition. Moreover, the fact that we can still drive in 100% electric mode in cold weather is interesting, because not all PHEV models are necessarily programmed to do so.
signature element
Its autonomy and its ability to use the heat engine very little even in cold weather is what makes the Ford Escape PHEV such an interesting model in my opinion.
The final word
With the price of gasoline constantly rising, being able to drive 100% electric most of the time offers a certain freedom of mind and needless to say, you feel much less guilty when you have to go out. out of the blue to go to the convenience store or something like that. In fact, it’s even very pleasant to take a Sunday stroll without a specific destination. Ford hit the nail on the head with the Escape PHEV and I’m convinced that if the American manufacturer could produce more copies, they would all find buyers, especially if all-wheel drive was offered as an option or standard.
