My 2007 Escape 4WD Escape runs great and the mileage is very good.

After 5500 miles I have discovered that my back, and the very firm seating in the Escape are not compatible.

I'm not sure that I would go the custom seat route, for several reasons.

I want a hybrid and need 4WD. Can anyone tell me how the two compare as far as seating comfort?

I'm about 100 miles from the nearest Highlander hybrid dealer and thought I would get some opinions before going that far.

With the nearest HiHy dealer a hundred miles from me, any concerns about service that I should consider before buying that far from home?

Thanks!

Dick Day

Service is key with a technologically advanced vehicle. 100 miles is too far for my comfort even though I've had no problems and don't expect anything more than oil changes for while.

Comfort is always a matter of opinion. I went to the auto show and sat in both before I purchased. I found the Highlander to be much more comfortable.

On other points, it's hard to compare the two. The cars are practically in different categories.

I say stick with the Ford; besides, from what I've read, it may be a better 4wd vehicle.

Don't take this the wrong way - but moving from domestic to Japanese is a big step up in quality and refinement. You'll love the Highlander - it's a terrific vehicle.

The HiHy 4wd isn't true 4wd. The rear wheels only receive power via an electric motor, and only run in 4wd mode for short periods.

Highlander wants oil changes at 5000 instead of FEH 10000.

Highlander gets high 27's FEH gets a little more.

Highlander is a much more powerful truck, (0-60 in 7.8 seconds.) the rear electic motor is nearly as powerful as the motors in the FEH.

Highlander Hybrid won awards this year for both reliablity and re-sale value.

At my house I get the FEH and the wife gets the Highlander.
(First person out the door chooses....)

MM

The Ford can go off road, the Highlander can't.
The Ford can go into water up to the bottom of the hubs, the Highlander???

The Ford costs a lot less and financing is great (you can buy an extended warranty and still have $$$ left over).

Toyota makes great cars, but their quality is slipping.
Ford makes good cars, but their quality is improving.


Just my 2 cents.
Rick

This isn't personal, but I strongly disagree with your assessment.

It's true that the Highlander Hybrid has a warning not to take it off-road, but I wouldn't call the Escape Hybrid off-road capable, considering the unibody design and lack of a transfer case or an extra-low gear. All SUV's with enough power and ground clearance can take you camping, including the Toyota. It's certainly not an "off-road" SUV, I think we'll all agree. Someone wanting off-road prowess isn't buying either of these vehicles.

It's relative - you're buying a smaller vehicle with one less row of seats, a lot less power and speed, one lacking traction and stability control, one that does worse in crash tests, etc. It's not in the same class (literally - the Escape is considered "Compact" versus the Highlander's "Midsize" classification)

I know people compare them because of the fuel economy ratings and Hybrid powertrain, but they really are apples and oranges.

Consumer Reports says the Highlander Hybrid is the best SUV you can buy. The Escape Hybrid isn't even in the top twenty (ranked 7th if you filter by "SUV's priced $30,000-40,000). Further, Lexus/Toyota are ranked as the number one/two brands, with Ford down at the 11th position.

The Highlander is ranked higher than the Escape on the ALG depreciation guide, and JD Power has it beating the Escape in every category (Overall Quality, Mechanical Quality, Body & Interior Quality, Feature & Accessory Quality, and Overall Appeal), and trouncing it in initial quality (Highlander has the max of 5 stars versus the Escapes 3 stars)


So... you get what you pay for, and you'll get more for your used car when you're done with it.

Must be why they were forced to buy back my Escape under
the lemon law and then I purchased a HyHi...

Seadog

Seadog you the man....From what I see and read the highlander is ten times better than the ford in every catagory. Denial about this matter is abundant. Try taking the way under powered escape thru the Rockies on a long HWY trip and You will see....

Yep, you are right.
One bad Escape Hybrid means they are all bad. Good Logic.

By the way, what did you pay for your Highlander and what interest rate did you get? I got my 4wd Mercury Mariner Hybrid (Ford Escape Hybrid twin) for (about) 29,500 at 0% for 5 years.

My best guess calculations for a 2006 Highlander Hybrid with 4wd are

$34,000 for the Highlander. $10,000 down leaves $24,000 to finance. @ 3.9% interest about $2450.00.
$34,000 plus $2,450.00 = $36,450.

Toyota $36,450
minus Ford $29,500
is $6,950.

For me, it was not worth $7,000. I guess that there is a $7,000 question to be answered. Is the Highlander worth $7,000 more than the Ford. At this point is it a personal and financial answer.

If you read the Ford forum, you will see many happy Escape/Mariner owners.
For my own experience, the 4wd has been flawless; I have driven on icy, snowy roads without spinning the wheels or loosing control.

Joe, if you drove an Escape Hybrid across the Rockies; please tell me about your experience. I drove my Mariner to the top of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and had no problem keeping up with traffic. I accidentally took the back road there and it was a wild drive. The locals drive fast!

I agree that Toyota makes great cars, but that does not mean all other cars brands are junk. Ford has quality issues but they ARE improving. BUT I have seen many posts that list major issues with Toyota's quality. I hope the bean counters are not going to ruin a great car company.

The Escape is fun to drive, nimble, and costs way less than a Highlander. The Escape/Mariner can and have been driven off road. They are not Jeeps, but plenty of people have driven their Escapes offroad and have posted how well they drove.

The type of SUV to buy depends on individual needs. Do you really need 268HP to drive to work? Do you need a 7 passenger SUV to haul only yourself to work?? Do you want to drive a bigger SUV? Some people do and for them a bigger more powerful SUV is the answer.

Also, I thought buying a hybrid was about using less gas, lower emissions, and less CO2.
The 4wd get about 29 mpg (using greenhybrid data) versus 26mpg (greenhybrid data) for the Highlander 2wd. What does the 4wd Highlander average??

Why do people automatically discredit others without trying to look at the big picture? Different people have different needs.

As far as the Escape being apples and oranges, it's more like McIntosh vs Fuji.

Again just my 2 cents.