Photo Galleries
10 of the most luxurious airline amenity kits When it comes to in-flight pampering, the amenity kits offered by these 10 airlines are the ultimate in luxury More
7 startups that want to improve your mental health From a text therapy platform to apps that push you reminders to breathe, these self-care startups offer help on a daily basis or in times of need. More
5 radical technologies that will change how you get to work From Uber's flying cars to the Hyperloop, these are some of the neatest transportation concepts in the works today. More
Special Offer
3 of 6
BACK NEXT
The green machine: Ford Escape Hybrid
The green machine: Ford Escape Hybrid
$26,265 to $28,015
MPG: 29 city, 27 highway for 4WD

The Escape Hybrid and its cousins, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid and the Mazda Tribute Hybrid, are marketed as SUVs. But the fact is, they ride and handle like crossovers. Whatever you call them, there's no doubt that they're more fuel efficient than any SUV or crossover on the market.

The "green" version of the Escape has turned an otherwise decent vehicle into something to brag about. The hybrid system functions seamlessly, keeping the vehicle purring along on electricity alone right up to 25 miles per hour. Power is delivered smoothly, and there's more than enough on tap.

The Escape recharges its batteries partly from brake power, allowing it to recapture energy that's usually wasted. In the Escape's previous version you felt that happen, but with a redesign for 2008 you don't.

The fuel economy can't compare with that of the Prius or the Civic Hybrid, but neither of those offers the Escape's SUV-like flexibility. And no hybrid SUV takes greenness as seriously. This isn't a "part fuel savings, part power boost" hybrid; it's all about maximizing miles per gallon. Still, you won't find yourself lagging behind.

There is one problem with the hybrid versions of the Escape, Mariner and Tribute: They lack electronic stability control, a computerized system that reduces crashes and rollovers by helping drivers maintain command in abrupt maneuvers. The vehicles will get the technology for the 2009 model-year, so if you can hold out until August, do so.

NEXT: The family hauler: GMC Acadia

Last updated February 22 2008: 12:35 PM ET

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.