Ford’s Fun, Fuel Efficient Vehicles

Let’s face it, driving is an inevitability; there is hardly any way to avoid getting on the road when it is time to commute. America is a country that prides itself on its roads and complex highway system. The average American drives about 13,000 miles per year, which is around 9 days without stopping at 60 mph. That is a lot of time and money to be spending all in one place! We here at DePaula Ford believe if you’re going to spend so much time driving, it is best to get an enjoyable, affordable, and reliable vehicle. What better brand to go with than Ford? As your Latham used Ford dealer, we may be biased, but the brand’s many models make for fun and useful commuter cars. Its models have powerful engines as standard, while others have turbo variations to give them extra juice. Not only do many of these cars go fast, but they have above-average gas mileage too.

2022 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid

Speaking of above-average gas mileage and speed, we have the 2022 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid. These days it seems like every car manufacturer is releasing an electric vehicle. With the way gas prices are, it is no wonder why. Being a plug-in hybrid and not fully electric, the Escape comes with a 2.5L gasoline engine paired with its 14 kWh battery pack and electric motors. While its price point is a little higher than other compact SUVs, we think that the Escape Plug-In Hybrid will pay for itself thanks to its amazing fuel efficiency.

It gets a whopping 105 MPGe combined highway and city driving when operating on battery power. That is right. The equivalent of one gallon of gas will allow you to travel most of the way to NYC. As long as you remember to plug it in to recharge overnight, the Escape Plug-In Hybrid will save a lot of gas. This is one of the many reasons this vehicle makes for an amazing commuter car. The first 37 miles of the Hybrid run mainly on battery power, so very little gasoline is consumed on short drives around Latham.

One common complaint about hybrids is that they aren’t the fastest. The focus on efficiency usually overpowers the focus on engine capability. Not the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid! Its engine provides 221 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. That is pretty competitive for any compact SUV, including traditional gasoline models. As a hybrid, it exceeds its competition. Many hybrids around its size and price struggle to break that 200 hp mark. So not only does it provide amazing fuel efficiency, but it also offers a speedy drive. The extra horsepower will spice up a daily commute on I-87 or Highway 7. Then, when in the city, it will not be a gas guzzler in stop-and-go traffic.

One final note about the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid––its trunk space is large. Compact SUVs are known for offering a generous amount of cargo, and the Escape is no different. With the seats up, there are 34.4 cu.ft. of space. With its great mileage and size, it can accommodate any road trip. This fits more than enough luggage for a cross-country visit for family or a trip to the beach.

2021 Ford EcoSport

Some manufacturers rely on gatekeeping their vehicles by charging premium prices for essentially the same vehicle. Thankfully for the consumer, we offer Ford models that won’t burn a hole in our customer’s pockets. With an affordable base model, the Ford EcoSport is a vehicle aimed to be a competitor for lower-priced SUVs (surprisingly, a market with not much competition). Thanks to its low cost, this vehicle is a great option for urban drivers who don’t spend much time on the road. It might not be used every single day, but since its MSRP is comparatively low, there’s not much of a downside to having it but using it sparingly.

Despite being on the cheaper end, Ford does not skip out on including plenty of features that other manufacturers charge extra for. One of the more interesting features is that it comes with 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot. Parents will find this to be extremely helpful on long drives to entertain their children. The kids will have plenty to busy themselves with since they will always have a connection to Wi-Fi.

Another standard feature is Ford’s all-wheel drive system. Once again, this is something that normally one would have to pay extra for, yet it is the default for the EcoSport. All-wheel drive is a necessity for those who live in climates where it snows. Usually, a car gets stuck in the snow because one set of wheels does not have enough power to climb out. With all-wheel drive, power is sent to both sets of wheels. This extra power distribution will help prevent cars not being able to get out of a snowy parking lot. Additionally, the extra traction helps for off-roading and rainy climates. For no additional cost, the 2022 Ford EcoSport is given a feature that makes it versatile in multiple conditions.

The engine inside the Ford EcoSport is where the lower cost might be felt. Older models came standard with a 1.0L EcoBoost Turbo I-3, which provides 123 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. While this might make the car less exciting for speed demons, we still think it is an excellent vehicle for its price and performance. It still gets from point A to point B very efficiently. The 2021 model was rated for 27 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. It saves money on both its price and on the road. Typically larger vehicles like SUVs are not known for having above-average fuel efficiency, but the EcoSport says otherwise.

For those who are interested in the car but can’t look past the low horsepower, there is a solution. The Ford EcoSport is available with a 2.0L I-4 with 166 hp and 149 lb-ft of torque. It gives the EcoSport just enough horsepower to make it a threat on the highway while still undercutting its competitors on price. Thanks to the already low MSRP of the standard version, this upgrade is feasible for many people. Best of all, the extra horsepower does not impact the fuel efficiency very much. City driving gets reduced to 23 MPG, but the highway stays strong at 29 MPG for the 2021 model. If this car is used mainly for highway driving, there is not much of a drawback.

Which Ford Will You Choose?

We here at DePaula Ford want to make sure our customers get the right vehicle to suit their needs. These two Ford models we have taken a look at serve many demands in their own unique way. The 2022 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid is one of the speedier hybrid cars on the market. It combines power, performance, and fuel efficiency into one, making it a great fit for Latham commuters. The 2021 Ford EcoSport is a vehicle that offers a price range that is difficult to contest. Despite its price point, it still has plenty of premium features to offer that come standard, which means it is a good option for suburban drivers looking to save money on a car.