After driving my girlfriend's Ford Escape Hybrid for the last 8 months and working so hard to get every last 10th of mpg out of it, the TCH is so easy to get great gas mileage. With minimal effort, I am getting over 40 mpg, but the FEH struggled just to maintain the 32-33 mpg. It's hard to imagine that the Ford is using the same hybrid technology.

 

Well since aerdynamics plays a HUGE roll in this equation and the SUV has a MUCH larger frontal area as well as increased drag it ins't hard to understand why there is a large MPG difference.

 

The technology that Ford is using is also the first generation technology from Toyota. That probably plays into the mileage also. Toyota has a cash cow: they are top in hybrid technology and when they are done with that generation they sell it to to the Americans. Its as good as Microsoft and there updates and security patches!

 

Let's see... one vehicle is a 4000 lb. SUV, the other is a mid-size sedan.

I'd go with the simplest reasoning -- size and aerodynamics -- rather than the "old vs. new tech" scenario. Maybe the "Ford is using Toyota's cast-offs" allegation will end in '08 with the redesign of the Ford Escape and, ostensibly, the Ford Escape Hybrid as well.

 

It's hard to imagine that the Ford is using the same hybrid technology

I'm impressed that they can get 32 out of an SUV, even a "small" one!

 

Actually there's only about a 100 pound difference between the Camry (3600+ pounds) and the Escape (3700+ pounds).

 

Some folks are getting much more than that (and EPA for the FEH, at least the Front-Wheel Drive one I have, is
36 city/31 hwy.) My best tank (logged here at GreenHybrid along with every single other tank my FEH's sipped) is 37.3 MPG and that was hauling landscaping supplies and stuff... it happened to be nice weather so I think I had no A/C going, but I attribute it more to some conducive driving (not traffic jammed but not being forced along at 55+ mph either for long stretches).

I love all hybrids and am not knocking any of 'em; they all have their raison d'ętre.

2006 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD specs: 3,627 lbs.
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid specs: 3,637 lbs.
I stand corrected... but who knew the Camry weighed more than the FEH!?
Now that's just goofy...