2021 Ford Escape PHEV: A hidden card that's becoming a must-have

The Ford Escape has been one of the most popular SUVs with consumers since its debut. Perfect size (never too big or too small) and fun to drive are two of the keys to its success.

Now, we can add an important feature to that list: charging. The Ford Escape is now available in a plug-in hybrid configuration, which makes it more interesting than ever.

60 km

That's the number of miles the vehicle can travel in all-electric mode on a full charge. That's a lot of mileage, and it literally melts the average fuel consumption. It is actually estimated at 2.2 liters per 100 kilometers, but in reality, with the discipline of recharging, it is kept much lower than that.

And with a liter of gasoline at a very high price, it's a double win.

Driving modes

Even better, you can manage the way the model uses its energy. A mode that favors recharging when the combustion engine is running can be used, for example, when approaching a city where the kilometers recovered can be put to use in a place where gas consumption is higher. An automatic mode takes care of the best solution at all times, to maximize energy efficiency.

The drive

Speaking of driving, the Ford Escape is, by far, one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in its class. And when compared to its rivals that also offer electric range, it's the only one that really delivers what can only be described as a "fun-to-drive" experience. Take it for a test drive and you'll understand.

A more attractive price

Finally, while the Escape PHEV's rivals sell for around $45,000, the price is about $37,000 for the one with the Ford letters. Yes, the government rebates are a bit less for Ford, but even after all the calculations, you're better off with the Escape.

For all these reasons, and many more, the Ford Escape PHEV is the most interesting choice in this category of vehicles.