The 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid is here for a base selling price of $29,170 and comes with no changes other than a few more color choices. The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 engine mated to the dual electric motors is retained, and the acceleration is up there with the best of the segment. The car also aces when it comes to fuel efficiency. Coming in with three trim configurations for the hybrid variant, there are also pure gasoline and plug-in hybrid versions, making the Escape quite a versatile offering of the segment.

The 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid ticks most of the boxes for a comfortable and refined compact SUV. The ride quality is going to impress the family buyers, and the car also offers sure-footed driving dynamics. The feature-rich Sync 3 infotainment system, youthful design language, and a long list of safety and driver-assistance features are standard too. Competing with the likes of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid.

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10 Hybrid Powertrain Is Reasonably Peppy

Ford Escape Hybrid
Via: Cars

The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 engine coupled with dual electric motors helps the 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid produce 200 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. The transmission duties are handled by a CVT automatic, and the car comes in both FWD and AWD drivetrains. The car can do 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds and can tow a maximum of 1,500 lbs.

Ford Escape Hybrid
Via: Motor Trend

We found the performance to be surprisingly good, with excellent low-end grunt provided by the electric motors and more than adequate highway performance by the gasoline engine. Even though the acceleration is not going to push you into the seats, it doesn't need any planning for a quick overtake. The CVT transmission is reasonably seamless, with no major lag to report.

9 Comes Loaded With Driver-Assistance Features

The Front View Of A 2021 Ford Escape PHEV
Via Ford

With the Ford Co-Pilot360 coming in as standard across the three trims, it comes loaded with all the driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. All the regular safety features are on board too.

A Blue 2021 Ford Escape PHEV In A Showroom
Via MarketWatch.com

Similar to the outgoing 2021 model year, the 2022 Escape Hybrid is entirely constructed in high-tensile steel and aluminum, which makes the car feel quite rigid and strong. All of these helped the 2022 Escape Hybrid get a 5-star rating in the overall crash tests of the NHTSA and it earned the 2022 top safety pick title in the IIHS crash tests.

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8 Youthful Design Language

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Via: Ford

Ever since the fourth generation of the Ford Escape came out in 2020, people have always admired the clean proportions and body lines, making it pretty impressive from all angles. Even though this 2022 iteration sees little to no changes when it comes to the exterior design, the blacked-out hexagonal grille, muscular hood design, the best-in-class width and height add to the road presence as well.

Ford Escape Hybrid
Via: Ford

The profile doesn't come out as ravishing, especially in comparison to the front-end, however, we do admire the subtle fender flares, 19" machine-finished alloy wheels, and the side cladding, all of which gives it a more purposeful character. The rear end gets LED taillights, a dual exhaust system, and a neatly integrated rear spoiler. However, we found the rear to be a bit bland. There are a few optional exterior features as well.

7 Pliant Ride Quality

2020 Ford Escape
Via WorldFordPensacola

The 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid is one of the comfiest offerings of the compact hybrid SUV segment, and this is one of its biggest attributes. The softly sprung suspension setup makes the Escape Hybrid an utter joy during those long road trips. The wide rubber and the reasonably high profile tires that come wrapped around 19" wheels also partly contribute to the ride quality.

White 2020 Ford Escape
Via CarGurus

If you are someone who deals with a lot of pockmarked city streets, we would recommend the Ford Escape Hybrid over the rivals, as it manages to absorb everything that you throw at it. The highway traveling experience will also not disappoint anyone, as there is very minimal pitching and bobbing. However, we would recommend the lower trims that come with 17" wheels, if you want a magic-carpet-like ride.

6 Spacious Cabin

2021 Ford Escape Interior
Via noticias.autocosmos

Get into the front seat of the Ford Escape Hybrid and you would be at home immediately. There are no ergonomic flaws and the cabin is also very airy. You will admire the impressive headroom and legroom, which is more than adequate for even taller folks. However, the shoulder room of 57.6" is roughly the same as the rivals. There are many cubbyholes and storage spaces too.

2021 Ford Escape.
Via CNET

We also found the seat to be pretty supportive, with more than adequate padding and decent lower back support. The rear seat is pretty wide and can accommodate three passengers with reasonable comfort. However, both the Honda CR-V Hybrid and the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid have slightly better legroom when compared to the Escape Hybrid.

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5 Interior Quality Is A Little Disappointing

Ford Escape
Via Ford

The interior quality is mediocre at best, and this is one area that the Escape is quite famous for. Lay your hands over the dashboard, and you would be surprised with the bargain-basement material selection, especially in the upper half of the dashboard. There are quite a lot of uneven panel gaps and fitment issues as well.

The Stylish Interior Of The 2021 Ford Escape PHEV
Via YouTube / Bee Cars

All the other common touch points such as the door panels, climate control and infotainment buttons and knobs look a level cheaper than the rivals like the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid. The leather upholstery that comes with the top-of-the-line Titanium trim doesn't strike us as the most premium of the lot, either.

4 Comes With Sync 3 Infotainment System

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid driver wheel
Via Ford

The Sync 3 is the latest infotainment system from the Ford stable, and this is offered with the 8" touchscreen display that is neatly integrated into the center of the dashboard. Coming with buttons and knobs, we found the infotainment to be super smooth and refined, with excellent intuitiveness and no lag or stutters anywhere. The display quality is top-notch too.

2022 Ford Escape Hybrid Inside
Via: YouTube

There are steering wheel-mounted controls as well, and that helps the driver use the infotainment system with minimal fuss. All the much-needed features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Applink, Bluetooth connectivity, audio streaming, and many more are standard. The 6-speaker audio system provides a decent audio experience too.

3 Brakes Offer Great Bite And Progression

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid equipped with front-wheel drive
Via Ford

We found the braking performance offered by the 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid to be quite similar to the rivals like the Tucson Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid. This can also be validated through the 70-0 mph braking distance of 168 feet. The regenerative braking feature is of course present, and we found it to be not very intrusive.

Ford Escape Hybrid
Via: Ford

The braking of the Escape Hybrid is done by 4-wheel disc brakes, and it features 4-wheel ventilated rotors, brake assist and hill hold control. The braking bite as well as the progression are very good. However, we wish the brake pedal offered a bit more feedback since it felt quite wooden.

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2 Not Fun To Drive

The 2021 Ford Escape Interior.

Gearheads would need to move away from this compact hybrid crossover as it will not strike a chord when it comes to driving dynamics. The main reason is the softly sprung suspension system that is made for ride quality rather than clipping apexes. This leads to a car that has a fair amount of body roll when going sprightly around corners.

2022 Ford Escape Hybrid Model
Via: YouTube

The Escape Hybrid also hates being pushed, as indicated by the increasing understeer. Pressed hard in a corner, the tires squeal for mercy until the driver backs off to a more reasonable speed. Even if you get the AWD variant, this is not going to be a sporty drive like a Mazda CX-30. The steering lacks feel and feedback as well, however, it was quite precise.

1 Very Fuel Efficient

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid with EV indicator
Via Ford

The 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid is the most frugal offering of the segment. Coming with a hybrid powertrain mated to a CVT automatic, this compact SUV manages to sip fuel, even if you have a lead foot. With the FWD drivetrain, the car rates 44 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, equating to 41 mpg combined.

2021 Ford-Escape-SE-Hybrid
via Motor Trend

With a 14.3-gallon fuel tank capacity, the Escape Hybrid had the highest tank range of 629 miles on the highway, surpassing the Tucson Hybrid with 520 miles and the CR-V Hybrid with 560 miles. As stated before, there is also a plug-in hybrid variant, which can do 37 miles solely on the electric motor as well.