I'd hope that regular unleaded is just as good for your Escape, or for that matter any hybrid. Two reasons:

(1) The extra detergents that only Premium blends had are now in all grades of gasoline. No longer is it necessary to clean the engine by occasionally pumping up Premium or putting in a bottle of additives.

(2) The electric motor has superior acceleration than a gasoline engine. If octane matters, that would suggest that a diesel-electric hybrid is going to be a bad idea. Diesels have had a history of poor acceleration. A diesel-electric hybrid looks like the best of both worlds - diesel economy, electric acceleration.

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

Best Run >
www.cleanmpg.com

"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated