Is the Ford Escape hybrid really the "most fuel efficient SUV"?
I just saw a video that included an ad that claims the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid was "the most fuel efficient SUV on Earth." Ford has said this for years and, for years, Ford was right. This is not quite so true for the 2008 model year, though. Technically, Ford is still the most fuel efficient in 2008 but two other SUVs are just as fuel efficient; the Mazda Tribute hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. This raises an interesting question; Is Ford really "the most fuel efficient" if two other SUVs are just as fuel efficient? Tell me what you think in comments.
Update: Thanks to everyone that pointed out the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner hybrids are just rebadged versions of the same vehicle.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Schmeltz 9:34AM (11/07/2007)
Hello??? The Mercury and Mazda vehicles ARE the Ford Escape. All are built in the same factory. Aside of body style differences, they are essentially the same vehicle.
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SP 9:48AM (11/07/2007)
There is commonly a disclaimer excluding vehicles from the same corporate group that goes along with ads that make "best in class" claims.
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dan 9:53AM (11/07/2007)
The Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, and Mazda Tribute are all the same vehicle. The differences are almost entirely cosmetic, although a quick google says that the Mazda has different suspension tuning.
Crackerjack reporting.
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Paco 10:11AM (11/07/2007)
More quality "reporting" by the person that brought us the news of the secret li-on powered vitz. I think I am going to stick with a more reliable sourcefrom now on like tea leaves.
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Ron 11:22AM (11/07/2007)
Uh... hello braniac? They're all the same vehicle. duh! I thought it was a requirement for Bloggers to be "Car Guys" for anything with the name "Autoblog" in it. I guess not? lol
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Lascelles Linton 10:37AM (11/07/2007)
I still think the question remains and it's an interesting one. Toyota will probably do something like this when they launch the Prius brand. Should they be able to say things like that?
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Phil L. 10:39AM (11/07/2007)
This does bring up a point of interest: Yes, these cars share the same platform, engine, etc. But I've been surprised at how much different the real weights can be when options add up on these vehicles. The fancy sound system, leather seats and other goodies all add weight. And those upgraded wheels and tires might have a much higher rolling resistance.
I suspect the automakers submit for testing the most lightly-optioned vehicles that have the most efficient of available offered tire options, etc. - and are able to use that fuel consumption figure for all sibling vehicles.
Has anyone looked at the realistic mileage difference that another 100 pounds of options - or the move from a 15" all-season tire to 17" performance tires - really make? Do the new EPA testing standards make any allowance for this?
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marc Geller 10:47AM (11/07/2007)
No longer available, but this surely was the most efficient SUV (EPA figures)
2002 Toyota RAV4 EV
Electric Vehicle
gas equivalent: 125 City 100Hwy 112Combined
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Lascelles Linton 11:10AM (11/07/2007)
Phil, It's funny you bring that up. Reminds me of something I should write about.
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marc Geller 11:36AM (11/07/2007)
Lascelles, I drive a RAV4 EV. Please contact me if you have any questions about the car. Also, check out my blog about EVs PHEVs and related issues: http://www.plugsandcars.blogspot.com
I don't know how to contact you offline, or I would have.
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mike 11:35AM (11/07/2007)
Wow... I cannot believe there is actually an article about this, the photo even says they have the identical drivetrain, did the writer miss that? How can someone be writing for an automobile site if they do not know a Escape, Mariner, and Tribute are essentially the same vehicle.
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raygundan 12:59PM (11/07/2007)
@Lascelles Linton
I still think the question remains and it's an interesting one. Toyota will probably do something like this when they launch the Prius brand. Should they be able to say things like that?
Why shouldn't they make this claim? All three are the same vehicle. And what exactly are you speculating that Toyota is going to do? Rebrand the Prius three ways? Toyota sounds like they're going to make multiple Prius models under one brand rather than one model under three brands.
If you've heard rumors that there's going to be a Toyota Prius, a Lexus Prius, and a Scion Prius that were different only in grills and trim... *then* Toyota would be engaging in similar silliness.
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raygundan 1:00PM (11/07/2007)
Please note that the first paragraph of my previous comment was a quote from Mr. Linton. It was originally in italics, but that sort of formatting is apparently removed from posts by this site.
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lax24dmid 1:46PM (11/07/2007)
I think this post might have caused me to lose interest in this site.
You think a writer of a green car tech site would know that these are all made by ford and are the same underneath!
I completely agree with Schmeltz and others
"Hello??? The Mercury and Mazda vehicles ARE the Ford Escape. All are built in the same factory. Aside of body style differences, they are essentially the same vehicle."
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SherbornSean 7:15AM (11/08/2007)
Actually, the Escape is NOT the most fuel efficient SUV, because it is not an SUV. It's underpinnings are a 10 year old Mazda 6, making it a CUV.
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Mirko 7:44AM (11/15/2007)
Let's compare...
Escape hybrid FWD: 34 city, 30 highway, 32 combined
BMW X3 2.0d AWD: 29 city, 43 highway, 36 combined
Volkswagen Tiguan TDI AWD: 25 city, 40 highway, 33 combined
Toyota RAV4 D4D AWD: 29 city, 41 highway, 35 combined
Honda CR-V i-CTDi AWD: 29 city, 41 highway, 35 combined
Hyundai Tucson CRDi FWD: 27 city, 40 highway, 34 combined
Chevrolet Captiva Diesel FWD: 27 city, 37 highway, 32 combined
Kia Sportage Diesel FWD: 26 city, 37 highway, 32 combined
Mistubishi Outlander diesel: 28 city, 41 highway, 35 combined
Nissan Quashquai diesel: 38 city, 47 highway, 43 combined
Escape Hybrid AWD: 28 city, 27 highway, 27 combined
Most fuel efficient on the US market, maybe. Most fuel efficient on earth... does "earth" include Europe, Asia, Australia, south America and Africa?
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Brian 1:11AM (7/11/2008)
Wow. Why in the world don't they sell any of these cars in the US? (No pun intended.)
John 4:16AM (11/20/2007)
No kidding, thats like saying the Ford Taurus can no longer claim to be the "Safest full size car in America" because Mercury also sells the same car as Sable, which achieves the same ratings. If nobody has let you in on the secret of rebadging cars for different brands, then please, go ask your dad to explain it to you, ok?
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Lascelles Linton 6:41AM (11/20/2007)
John, I had much the same disagreement when I said the old, advertised MPG rating were wrong. I will write a semi-follow up article to this, so look out for it. I think it's a valid question but I fully understand why you might disagree. I think we all agree, if it were a different car company, it would be wrong. Why that changes because of a thing industry does, I personally don't understand.
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