Ford has been offering drivers its popular Escape crossover since 2001, but the automotive giant gave drivers an all-new option to get away from the fuel pump and take a great leap forward into the future of vehicles when it introduced a plug-in hybrid model. This PHEV set the standard for its vehicle class, with the 2022 Ford Escape offering a top-of-the-line Titanium trim for discerning drivers. As one of the most valuable rare metals, Titanium is an apt name for Ford’s top Escape trim. It is not just luxurious but also sturdy and dependable, equalling a value proposition not met by most.
The 2022 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid Titanium is the latest step on Ford’s goal of becoming an industry leader in electric zero-emission vehicles. To that end, Ford has made a commitment to build a new Blue Oval City in Tennessee to develop and construct electric vehicles (EVs) while also establishing twin battery plants in nearby Kentucky. The company has projected an $11.4 billion investment that will create over 11,000 jobs. As the company’s Executive Chair Bill Ford points out, “This is a transformative moment where Ford will lead America’s transition to electric vehicles and usher in a new era of clean, carbon-neutral manufacturing.” By building cars like the 2022 Escape Plug-In Hybrid, Ford shows that it is serious about making this investment for a cleaner, more fuel-efficient future.
A Hybrid Powertrain Designed for Performance, Efficiency, and Convenience
Hybrid vehicles have come a long way since they first started becoming commercially viable just two decades ago. For one thing, the battery cells have become smaller yet more powerful. At the same time, the coordination between the gas engine and electric motor has become smoother, allowing PHEVs to transition from gas to electric and back with a mix of the two in ways that are hardly noticeable to most drivers and their passengers.
The 2022 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid Titanium features a 2.5-liter iVCT Atkinson-Cycle I-4 gas engine paired with an electric motor that runs on a 14.4-kWh lithium-ion battery. As with most Atkinson-cycle engines, the one of the Escape Plug-In Hybrid uses sequential multiport fuel injection. This allows the fuel to get more air because it is being pumped into different points on the engine in its air intake section. When combined with the electric motor, this hybrid engine is capable of producing 221 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque.
The transmission on the Escape Plug-In Hybrid is an eCVT. This electronic continuously variable transmission replaces the fixed gear ratios on the engine with a system that is constantly adjusting gear ratio to better suit driving conditions. In addition, this eCVT transmission will shift between the gas engine and the electric motor, providing you with the most efficient performance from your hybrid powertrain.
Efficiency is the name of the game with this plug-in hybrid. The 2022 Escape Plug-In Hybrid Titanium will give you a spectacular combined 105 MPGe, as the powertrain will primarily utilize the electric motor when you’re driving your Escape at under 35 miles per hour. As you go above this speed, your Escape Plug-In Hybrid will mix in the gas engine. As a result, you will get a combined fuel economy of 40 MPG, or you can go up to 37 miles on electric power alone.
Ford has made recharging the battery easier than ever on the 2022 Escape Plug-In Hybrid. In addition to regenerative braking, which captures the kinetic energy from your Escape’s brakes to recharge the 14.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, this model also has a convenient Level 1/Level 2 AC charging port on the front driver’s side fender. This will allow you to use a standard 110-volt Level 1 charger to give you a full charge in up to 11 hours. If you use a 240-volt Level 2 charger, the charging time will drop to as little as three and a half hours. You can even access public superchargers, which will do the job in mere minutes. This will come in handy when you take your Escape Plug-In Hybrid Platinum on a fun road trip.
Exterior Sporty Titanium Styling; Interior Luxury
The 2022 Escape Plug-In Hybrid Platinum rides on all-season tires wrapped around 18-inch machined-face ebony aluminum wheels with painted pockets. This not only looks great but also gives you a solid grip when out driving in your crossover. This sets the standard for the Titanium trim, where form follows function to give you an ideal combination of sporty style and performance. For example, the Titanium has a set of front and rear skid plates that will help protect the underside of your vehicle from any obstacles that don’t pass under the Escape’s 7.8-inches of ground clearance. Similarly, the LED daytime running lights and fog lamps are not only cool to look at but also give you top-flight visibility.
There is so much chrome on the outside of the Titanium that you will have no problem providing gorgeous contrasts to the exterior body color you choose. The grille features a 5-bar chrome style with a chrome surround that is trim-specific. The exhaust has dual chrome tips. There are chrome upper window moldings and chrome beltline moldings as well. As for colors, you can choose between Atlas Blue Metallic, Star White Metallic, Rapid Red Metallic, Stone Blue, Iced Blue Silver, Iconic Silver, Carbonized Gray, and Agate Black. By going with chrome exterior trim, Ford has designed a model that will work with any color choice.
Ford carries these looks into the Escape Plug-In Hybrid Titanium’s interior. The seats feature an ActiveX upholstery trim that is comfortable and sexy. If you prefer leather seats, Ford offers these as an option on the Titanium trim. The front row seats are heated, with a heated steering wheel that will be a blessing on a cold morning. The front passenger seat has a 6-way power control, while the driver’s seat provides for 10-way power adjustment. This will allow even the most finicky driver to find the exact position for comfort. The rear seat has a split 60/40 design that allows for ease in folding them down or flipping them to free up a full 60.8 cubic feet of space for your belongings. As it is, the Escape Plug-In Hybrid has a trunk that will fit up to 34.4 cubic feet of cargo, a result of the decision by Ford to put the PHEV’s lithium-ion battery underneath the rear passenger compartment.
Speaking of space, the 2022 Escape Plug-In Hybrid will give you 104 cubic feet for you and four of your closest friends. That means that you will get 42.4 inches of legroom in the driver’s seat, while your friends won’t be fighting over who rides shotgun as the rear seat provides a very comfortable 38.9 inches of legroom.
As for entertainment, the Titanium trim features Ford’s SYNC 3 system on an 8-inch touchscreen. This makes it easier than ever to access all of your favorite apps, as well as key vehicle information. SYNC 3 provides voice-activated technology, so you can make calls from your connected devices without taking your hands off the wheel of your Escape. There is also a 3-month trial to SiriusXM radio, so you can listen to your favorite music, sports, news, or talk wherever you go through the Titanium’s 6-speaker audio system. For those who truly love music, Ford offers an available B&O 10-speaker sound system by Bang & Olufsen, one of the leaders in sound design. With the access to so much great music on SiriusXM and the ability to listen to it through a B&O sound system, chances are you will never want to leave the comfort of your 2022 Escape Plug-In Hybrid Titanium.
Whoever Thought Hybrids Have to be Utilitarian Never Saw a Titanium
For a long time, hybrids were about getting a job done, providing you with a vehicle that was efficient. However, things like style, comfort, roominess, even luxury weren’t considered. It seemed like a hybrid was a choice of fuel economy over everything else. However, Ford has shown with the 2022 Escape Plug-In Hybrid Titanium that you can get a fuel-efficient hybrid with the sporty exterior styling, a roomy interior, and luxury features like leather seats and a premium sound system all in one vehicle. As Ford continues down the road to full hybrid and electric vehicle production, we will probably see more vehicles like the one in the Ford lineup.
