When Ford officially announced the launch of their all new Escape (in partnership with Mazda) for model year 2001, it would have been impossible to guess at the history of this storied vehicle over the years. At the time, larger sport-utility vehicles tended to use pickup truck-based, body-on-frame designs. Ford and Mazda had, however, decided to offer a more car-like, unibody design with a fully-independent suspension and rack and pinion steering.

A different approach for the time, but one which continues to serve the blue oval corporation well to this day.

Even as far back as 2004, for model year 2005, Ford was already touting new, innovative ideas regarding greener automobiles and climate-friendly specific eco-technology – all with the goal of reducing the company’s carbon footprint and their reliance on fossil fuels – both for the vehicles coming off the line and for those on our highways and byways.

Based on the midrange XLT trim level, the2005 Escape Hybrid included: the 2.3-litre DuraTec inline-four engine with an electric motor, power front bucket seats, low-back front bucket seats, enhanced partially-recycled cloth seating surfaces, and unique 16-inch alloy wheels. Options included a powered sunroof, a unique integrated GPS navigational system with hybrid information system, Satellite Radio, a seven-speaker premium audio system with amplifier and rear-mounted subwoofer, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, and a "two-tone" exterior paint scheme, with silver-painted lower exterior trim and front and rear bumpers.

Ford’s innovative approach to automobiles continues

Fast forward to the 2021 model year and much has changed – or perhaps « improved » would be a better word. Ford now offers two Escape hybrids – one of which is a plug-in – and those powertrains consist of a 2.5-litre four-cylinder combustion engine and two electric motors which combine to make 221-hp.