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Originally Posted by copyboy1
I know there are a ton of people here who love their hybrids - and thus think this article is unfair. But I can totally relate to it.
I believed the hype. I thought my Escape hybrid would be just like a regular Escape, only with much better gas mileage. I read review after review that GUSHED about how GREAT the hybrids were. The only drawback anyone ever talked about was how weird it was to have the engine shut off when you were at a stop light.
There was never a mention of having to radically alter your driving style.
There was never a mention of local topography and weather significantly hurting your MPG.
There was almost never a mention of the AC/defrost hurting your MPG.
The only quotes I've ever read were of people 100% happy with their purchase.
So if you want to read more articles about how great hybrids are, there are plenty of them out there. Personally, I LIKE the fact that someone actually wrote about the other side of the coin - about how hybrids don't always live up to their hype, and how some people are disappointed.
I think it's a good thing to print more realistic expectations.
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copyboy1,
First off, it is difficult to convey to any reader on a message board that comments made to others, especially in a difficult situation such as yours is, are made in kindness, even though sometimes folks use rather firm wording to convey their belief in something.
I feel sorry for you and your current experience with you FEH. I can only hope that it will improve as the vehicle becomes broken in and the weather improves. My major for my bachelor's degree was marketing. There is a concept we call post-purchase dissonance. I think you are suffering from it. It comes in 2 varieties, dissonance which you just feeL, but can't give a reason for, and dissonance due to product expectations not being fulfilled. You definitely have the latter.
So, I purchased a Prius. I'm very happy with it. Not because of the gas mileage. I researched the vehicle a lot before I made a purchase. It was a very wonderful decision. I knew walking into it that "experience may vary". It it certainly has for me. However, my purchase was more than just fuel economy, or environmental impact, but included gadgets, competitive price, roomyness in a small package, utility and, I hate to admit, the ability to show it off to others. If my mileage wasn't as the EPA advertised, that is ok, because my stereo is great and the car catches people's eyes. Something I have never experienced before.
When it is all said and done, I hope you find more to your Escape than fuel economy. I have always liked Escapes. Their fit and finish is very good, the design is strong and Ford is basically the best of the 3 American auto manufacturers. I come from a Ford family anyway. I think things will get better for you, just give it time.