Red,
I'll go ahead an jump in here with the kind of assertive assumption that the braking and steering system of the Escape hybrid is the same (or very similar) to the Toyotas (wich is were the technology is licensed from).
The power braking and power steering systems of the prius (both gen I and gen II) are electrically driven. That way when the engine is shut off the vehicle can maintain booster pressure (with an electric vaccum pump) for the brakes as well as have easy steering (fly by wire in the prius, maybe electric assist in the escape like the hondas). This electric system has the added advantage of reducing strain on the engine when these components are not needed, ex. driving on the highway. The booster pressure will stay for a while if the brakes are not used, and power steering is not really necessary at higher speeds. I know that the hondas have a system that measures the amount of force put into the steering and will help more or less per the amount of help needed. I cant really comments on accessories from the escape, but i hope that this will give you a bit more peace of mind.
Cheers,
Steven
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