As one who is addicted to Sirius satellite radio, I just wanted to inform the forum that all Escape Hybrids with either the standard (no extra option cost) or "Premium Audiophile" radio option (a $595.00 option) built after October 6th, 2005 now have a Sirius compatible radio in them (as well as being able to play MP3 CD's).

THE NAVIGATION RADIO DOES NOT HAVE SIRIUS CAPABILITY EVEN ON THOSE BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 6TH. There was a post to this forum awhile back claiming that the navigation radio was indeed Sirius compatible. However, this is not the case. First, there's only one connection on the radio for a "jukebox" cable. This is already used by the 6 CD changer and is therefore unavailable for the Visteon Sirius box. Also, on Ford/Visteon radios with GPS capability (the Lincoln LS for example), the Sirius satellite software functionality must be configured in software using a data CD provided by Ford to the dealership. No such data CD exists which allows compatibility with the Sirius box on the Escape navigation radio.

If you're looking at the sticker for an Escape Hybrid on the dealer's web site, you can tell whether the standard no-cost radio installed in the particular Escape Hybrid has Sirius capability if the sticker says "Job 2" on it.

Previously, only Escape Hybrids with the $600.00 option "Audiophile Premium Sound System" were available with a Sirius and MP3 compatible radio.

Sirius Visteon adapter units which plug into the "Job 2" Escape Hybrid radio are available as a "dealer option" and come with a 6 month free subscription to Sirius.

If you have any other questions about the Ford audio systems, please contact me off-line.