Hybrid SUV?

[bimmer]

My hubby is looking at trading in his 2004 Nissan Xterra for a Hybrid SUV...he does a lot of driving for work, and his Xterra already has 80 thousand miles on it...and is a gas guzzler. Looking at different SUV models of hybrid vehicles, we have decided that the Ford Escape is really the best match for us. He has to have an SUV for work, so we cant downgrade to a car....Does anyone have expereince with the Escape Hybrid? Comments? Suggestions?

[carcomplaints]

seems to be a pretty nice little suv. But does he really need it? What I mean is, you say he needs it for work, but how much stuff does he haul around, those things (escapes and xterras) aren't that big. I would think unless he has it jam packed everyday, he could almost fit most things into a fullsize car with a fold down seat?

[JKT]

I'm not sure you would save all that much money with a hybrid SUV...if he does a lot of city, stop-and-go driving you would. If that's the case go for it. But if it's all highway miles then you wouldn't save much more than driving a regular Escape, and you would save a few thousand dollars. Hybrids usually work by shutting down the gas engine, when stopped at a light for example, then restarting it when you move on. If you're driving on the highway all the time you negate that advantage. A regular escape will get better mpg than an Xterra and will cost thousand less..but it's your choice.