Welcome to GreenHybrid!

Curious as to your wife's reasons on her vehicle preference. If it's safety, she would be ahead of what she has in a Volvo or another large sedan. If she decides to be rational, the Civic and Prius are very safe.

Your posts also suggests she might have a lead foot. If I read this correctly, most of the work commute, get up to 65mph, then cruise with the exception of five miles. There should not be a lot of acceleration.

It's unfortunate her tastes are different, but a Honda hybrid's forte' is highway driving. She could be getting 50-60mpg in a 2006 hybrid Civic.

I don't drive a Ford Escape hybrid, but I'll bet 30mpg or close is realistic.

Hope this was somewhat helpful...

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

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"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated