Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid Pricing Starts At $34,235
Much of the time, if you were able to look over the shoulder of an internet user reading a story about new-car pricing, you would see it is pretty slumber-inducing. And, if you could watch others who were reading the same material, you would also find their eyelids growing heavier and heavier with each mention of a vehicle’s base price. By the time they reach the end of the article, the mere mention of the sleep-inducing words destination fees has everyone looking at the article nodding off with snores aplenty leaving the room.
Excitement Builds Around Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid
This year, though, you certainly can’t say there would be snoring about the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid. Green Car Reports revealed news coming from Cars Direct, both parts of the same publishing group, that Ford will introduce the manufacturer’s first-ever plug-in hybrid in the second quarter of 2020. The Escape has been line has been redesigned for 2020.
The 2020 Escape SE Plug-In Hybrid carries a largish battery for all-electric use. At 14.4-kwh, it is 13 times larger than the 1.1-kwh standard battery pack used in the rest of the Escape Hybrid lineup.
Green Car Reports relayed pricing information from CarsDirect. CarsDirect saw a dealer ordering guide from which it was able to determine 2020 Escape Plug-In Hybrid pricing. For 2020, the Ford Escape SE Plug-In Hybrid starts at $34,235, including the destination fee. Like the standard 2020 Escapes, the Escape SE Plug-In Hybrid features an array of safety tech. The safety tech includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and automatic high beams. Other extras include post-collision braking and a “pedestrian alert sounder.”
Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid Features Aluminum Wheels
The Escape SE Plug-In Hybrid features 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED headlights and taillights, tinted glass, and a six-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3. Its voice-activated NAV system pairs with the adaptive cruise control option. It is a $695 option. The Escape SEL Plug-In Hybrid starts at $36,815 and features a hands-free power liftgate, fog lights, roof rails, remote starting, reverse-sensing, plus sportier seats, and an optional $1,495 panoramic roof. The Titanium trim sits at the top of the range and starts at $40,030, adding premium features like a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, wireless charging, and acoustic glass. It also boasts a 12.3-inch touchscreen, leather-trimmed seats, and the full range of driver assistance features plus park assist. Torque News writer Eric Way takes a the 2020 electric Chevy Volt. It is one of Chevy's last cars.
With its largish battery, you might wonder about the range of the plug-in Escape Hybrid? It’s a good question, and Ford has provided a bit of the answer. According to the Green Car Report, the plug-in Escape Hybrid will offer 30-plus miles of electric driving range. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid probably achieves it is by driving only the front wheels.
No All-Wheel-Drive For Escape Plug-In Hybrid
At present, all-wheel-drive isn’t available. The reason the Escape Plug-In Hybrid is offered only in two-wheel-drive is purely mechanical. Because of the size of the largish 14.4-kwh battery, there is no way to make the connection to the rear wheels.
Marc Stern has been an auto writer since 1971. It was a position that filled two boyhood dreams: One was that I would write, and two that I write about cars. When I took over as my newspaper’s auto editor, I began a 32-year career as an automotive columnist. There isn’t much on four wheels that I haven’t driven or reviewed. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, and others. Today, I am the Ford F150 reporter for Torque News. I write how-to and help columns for online sites such as Fixya.com and others. You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook.
Source: CarsDirect via Green Car Reports
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