Once a lauded model by Consumer Reports, the Ford Escape Hybrid has experienced a bit of a fall from grace as of late. The consumer organization dropped the Ford Escape Hybrid from its list of recommended vehicles recently based on feedback from its members and owners of that particular vehicle, and also placed the electrified crossover on its list of least reliable vehicles, too. Now, the Ford Escape Hybrid has landed on another undesirable list – the popular small SUVs on sale today that Consumer Reports recommends consumers avoid.
In its latest list of popular small SUVs to avoid – and which ones to buy instead – the Ford Escape Hybrid made the “cut” due to its overall score of just 54 out of 100 possible points, which stems from a variety of issues that owners have experienced as of late. According to CR, those include the electrified crossover’s hybrid battery (which required a replacement in some cases), electrical accessories and components, noises, leaks, and in-vehicle electronics. CR also added that the Escape’s infotainment screen suffers from severe lag, which can be quite frustrating given the fact that HVAC and audio controls are housed within it, too.
As such, CR recommends that consumers seeking a small SUV buy a Honda CR-V Hybrid instead, which has a much better overall score of 83, along with average predicted reliability scores and good predicated owner satisfaction ratings. The Kia Sportage Hybrid was also highlighted as an under-the-radar alternative to the Ford Escape Hybrid with its overall score of 74, above average road test results, and average predicted reliability and owner satisfaction scores.
Interestingly, the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid previously made the list of popular used vehicles to avoid by CR, but this time around, that tag also applies to its brand new 2025 model year counterpart. In its latest reliability rankings, the Escape Hybrid received a mere 21 out of 100 possible points, which bested just four other models – the Rivian R1T (20 points), Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon (15 points), and the Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid (7 points).
Comments
This report should be clarified as there is more than one type of hybrid. The top picture shows this as a plug-in hybrid with the door on the l/f fender. The Hybrid AWD tag on the rear hatch applies to more than the plug-in as I have a 2024 AWD HEV with that same rear hatch tag. Fortunately at 6000 miles, my 2024 eCVT AWD HEV Ford Escape is doing fine. Does that offset your negativity CR?
Where was this for the 2001 ford escape. You would of been forewarned as with a concern of caution to stay away from fords, period! The old saying goes, once one thing goes in a ford, it all starts to fail. These transmissions are a manufactureer’s workmanship defect they knew about from day 1. How many escape owners have defected paint chipping on their roofs? Also workmanship contaminated automobiles parts, chassis with iron particles. Which trapped moisture in the paint & was rusting away to one day surprise escape owners. Those dumb alluminum engines in which the spark plugs will one day shoot out & hit the hood while driving, causing the motor to die on the freeway. The transmission taking another dive cause some smartguy thought of putting alot of rpm’s & torque on on a 16 inch long allen wrench shaft held on by little teeth grooves at each end from torque converter to automatic transmission pump piece in which will 1) strip/round out the large ellen wrench ends or 2) twist that allen wrench shaft shattering the pumps teeth key piece, causing loss of tranny fluid pressure, burning up your fluid causing slippage & loss of movement in any direction leaving you stuck! Than you got a $3500-$5000 dollar scam from either the dealership or your go to mechanic going on all day long! When you could of replaced that $35 part by yourself if only the shaft was damaged, replacing that shaft by just taking off the driverside front wheel & dust cover with some out of the box access to r/r without taking anything else off to get the job done. You should be ashamed of yourselves all of you at ford. Seems like no one with brains or accountability works over at ford anymore. Or at least someone who cares about what they sell to the public.