1. OFF ROADING: both HH and FEH have an electronically controller CVT-like transmission. both have 4wd, but neither is for hard-core offroading. if you need "LO RANGE" 4wd type stuff, no hybrid will meet your needs

2. RELIABILITY: I'd be very weary of anyone telling you "Toyotas are reliable b/c mine hasn't broken down"--you're looking at ONE case out of TWENTY THOUSAND, etc. it's just statistically insignificant. Last I heard, FEH has a more realiable powetrain than the regular escape, but if I was going to buy the car, I'd look long and hard for real statistics that show how FEH compares to other cars you're considering. A single person's experience simply doesn't say anything about the model's overall reliability design.