Driving Sports

One of the duties of an automotive journalist is to answer lots of questions that amount to "What car should I buy?" These days, that question is most likely to come with the stipulation, "I want to get something green, but I really like and need my SUV." So for the past two years, I've been steering people towards the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids.

This week I had a chance to test-drive the 2010 Ford Escape hybrid, and I'm happy to say that I will continue to recommend this vehicle as a fun and responsible way to do your part to conserve fuel while holding on to the features you love about an SUV.

There's one caveat to make up front - this test vehicle was a 2WD-only model, and unless you live in the 10% of North America that never sees snow or unpaved road use, I strongly recommend that you consider the AWD model. The AWD Escape or Mariner is a more sure-footed vehicle with a more solid driving experience.

But if you live in San Jose, Phoenix, Houston, or someplace similar, you can save a few bucks and get the 2WD version and still reap the benefits of the hybrid engine.

The gas engine in the Escape is the same 2.5-liter four cylinder plant that powers the whole Ford and Mazda small car lineup. It's simply the latest iteration of the proven Duratec design. The engine and electric motor plant deliver 153 horsepower and 34 MPG in the city, 31 MPG on the highway.

Inside, the Escape is well-made and nicely laid out for you. You have your choice of a full range of modern convenience and luxury options. The seats are comfortable and the driving experience is just what you've come to expect from a small SUV - not a sports car, but a very enjoyable vehicle for highway or in-town driving.

The 2010 Escape Hybrid at the upscale Limited trim level starts at about $30,000 with 2WD. But AWD doesn't cost much more. But if you choose a more basic trim level, you can bring in an Escape hybrid with AWD for as little as $31,395, while the Limited AWD costs $33,725.

But whichever model you get, you will also get a continuously variable transmission and the Atkinson Cycle 2.5-liter engine. The Atkinson Cycle changes valve timing to maximize fuel economy at the expense of torque, which works well in a hybrid because you've got the electric motor to assist in acceleration. You will get a useful 5-passenger SUV that drives over 30 miles on a gallon of gas and does sensible little things like shutting itself off at stoplights.

Of course, hybrid engines have their detractors. Yes, hybrids as we know them today are not without their drawbacks. But to pre-respond to critics, I'll just quote something Ford CEO Alan Mulally said to a group of Northwest automotive journalists a few weeks ago:

"As we go along, there won't be just one solution. There will be multiple solutions. But the people who accelerate those solutions will be us - the people of the United States. We're all going to be part of that debate," Mullaly said.

The bottom line is that if you're looking to green, but you love the capability and convenience of your SUV, the Ford Escape or Mercury Mariner hybrids are a good choice and worth a serious look.