Maybe we were not on the same wavelength.

I agree, for best, most efficient ICE operation, warmer is better up to a point.
At some point, it becomes futile to try and be warmer.

However, for stop and go, P&G operation... 190'F is not generally attainable... and trying to keep the engine this hot, in the Ford Escape, would require more gasoline overall, due to the fact you would have almost zero EV operation, if you tried to keep the engine block over 190'F.
-John

P.S. I think warmer intake air is more important than warmer water temp also.
The "top" stage of warm-up I think occurs sooner than a Prius, but I don't own a Prius so I don't really know.

P.P.S. Durning a long ( 700 mile ) trip at highway speeds on a 28'F day, my water temperature was hovering between 184'F and 188'F with sustained 2500 RPM for hour after hour with the radiator 90% covered up with canvas ( top ) and plywood ( bottom ). I really think it is correct to say keeping my car 190'F with P&G is impossible... more than difficult, but impossible in winter.