I got a letter from my local dealer recently offering to buy back my 2008 FEH. When I was in for service I asked the technician about it he said yeah they can't keep them in inventory. Certainly looking around the lot there don't seem to be any Escapes, hybrid or not, around. Apparently there is a demand for the used FEH.

After looking at the 2013 Escape I can see why.

Anyone else get these letters? They wanted mine for about $15K, and it has all the options. What were you offered?

 

It is more like a marketing ploy, to get you in to buy a new car.

 

LOL, yep. My 84 GT 'vert was in their database and they sent me the same letters many times. Like there's a huge dealership demand for an old carbureted car.

"We need your (fill in the blank) today!"

 

I guess so. Problem for me is they don't make a car I can use. My requirements are: a) light duty SUV with some off-road capability, b) hybrid.

The list of cars that fit these requirements is currently zero, including the 2013-onwards Escape.

 

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is still made. They are pretty expensive though. Also, their AWD is electric drive for the rear wheels, so they are only good for brief periods off road. But I would consider them OK for light duty occasional off-road.

EDIT: Did you consider looking for a 2012 FEH?

 

The HiHy and RX hybrids are specifically not recommended for any off road use by Toyota, so they don't fit the OP's requirements unless you are willing to risk warranty/damage.
A current 4WD Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade hybrid is OK for off road because it has a full frame construction and low range/locked differential.
There is also an Audi Q5 hybrid which may have some mild off road capability. If you're even more spendy you could splurge for the VW Touareg hybrid.
In a few months the Subaru XV Crosstrek hybrid will pick up where the 4WD FEH left off price-wise, but for now Subaru is only estimating 24mpg EPA city. I think Subaru is being conservative as to not cannibalize current XV sales and avoid lawsuits from high expectations.
By early next year the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV should get excellent MPG and have all the 4WD capabilities that our FEHs do at a similar price (adjusted for inflation).

 

If you want to give your money away, do a dealer buy back or trade-in. I've learned that the best deal is to cut out the middle man and sell yourself for the most money.

Make a deal on a new or used vehicles with research and competition with others. I now buy X-Plan new with Ford or nothing. My dealer said no X-Plan on Hybrids, I said no purchase. That's it! The buyer is king, or no deal. If the salesman thinks it is a good deal, tell him to buy it! I get good deals now.

GaryG

 

I thought that auto makers were required to publish the MPG estimates that the EPA gave them and no other. Is that not right?

 

Heads up...if get an email from the the widow of a dead Nigerian general offering you a ton of cash to help move some money around, ignore that one as well.

 

It's a common misperception, the EPA does not conduct fuel efficiency/mpg tests on vehicles. Manufacturers perform the EPA tests and then self-report the numbers to the EPA. This process has probably got companies like Hyundai and Ford in trouble with customers for unrealistic MPG numbers. If there are complaints I think the EPA can investigate.
I think Subaru is being careful managing expectations for their first hybrid. To me, it doesn't make a lot of sense that a smaller/lighter hybrid vehicle with a smaller (2.0l) ICE would get worse MPG than an almost 10 year old 4WD FEH, especially since Toyota owns a stake in Subaru. It will be interesting to see the real world tests for sure!