Hip hybrids: Ford Escape, Kia Sorento, Lincoln Corsair
How cool are hybrids? Let us count the ways. First, hybrids aren’t fully electric, so there’s no range anxiety about your battery conking out during a trip.
Second, sticker prices are lower for hybrids than for electric vehicles. Third, hybrids—especially plug-in hybrids like those reviewed here—have the lowest lifetime maintenance costs.
And, oh yes, hybrids also boast a hoity-toity lineage: The first hybrid, the Mixte, was built in 1902 by Ferdinand Porsche. FORD ESCAPE PLUG-IN HYBRID $41,000 MPG: 40 city/40 highway Electric-only range: 37 miles 0 to 60 mph: 7.7 seconds PROS: Refreshed design, good fuel economy, roomy. CONS: Some cheap interior plastics, no ventilated seats, no all-wheel drive. IN A NUTSHELL: The Ford Escape plug-in hybrid is $13,000 less than its luxe sibling, the Lincoln Corsair.
But cheaper doesn’t mean lackluster. Exterior styling on an Escape is snazzy, with tasteful LED accent lighting stretching across the top of the grille.
