With five hybrid models (including one PHEV) on the market for 2022, Ford is bringing some competitive offerings to the ever-increasing number of options for hybrid vehicles.

Although a little later to the game than some other automakers, Ford is serious about making green vehicles. The American automaker entered the hybrid market in 2005 with the crossover

Escape

and the declaration that “It’s the first, but it won’t be the last.” Ford has made good on that promise and now offers hybrid trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.

It’s worth mentioning that Ford also makes a few all-electric vehicles, including the popular

Mustang Mach-E

—but we’re talking hybrids here, so that’s an article for another day!

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

Here to guide you through Ford’s hybrid lineup In this article, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Ford Hybrids—models, specs, costs, and what the best options are.

MORE:

Find affordable Ford car insurance rates

2022 Ford hybrid models guide

The very first hybrid model that Ford offered in 2005 is still going strong today—the Escape. Today, the Escape is not only offered as a hybrid but also as a plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV). While Ford has made sedan PHEVs and hybrids in the past like the

Fusion

, there are no hybrid sedans offered currently—just trucks and SUV/crossovers.

The Escape remains a popular model for Ford in both the hybrid and the PHEV versions, but now there are a few more choices if you’re a fan of the blue oval but are looking to go green.

In addition to the Escape, the long-running Explorer is available as a hybrid in its

Explorer Platinum

trim level. Want a hybrid truck? The perennially popular

F-150

truck now has the option for a hybrid powertrain on most of its trim levels as well, while the smaller

Maverick

comes standard as a hybrid.

Check out the table below for some pricing and fuel economy numbers on each Ford hybrid model:

Model	Vehicle type	Starting price	Fuel economy (base trim)
Ford Escape SE	Compact SUV	$29,920	44 city/37 highway
Ford Explorer Platinum	SUV	$51,860	20 city/28 highway
Ford F-150	truck	$32,000	24 city/24 highway
Ford Maverick	truck	$19,995	42 city/33 highway

In addition to its hybrid models, Ford also has a single PHEV in a version of the Escape, the Escape SE Plug-in Hybrid.

Model	Vehicle type	Starting price	Fuel economy (base trim)
Ford Escape SE PHEV	Compact SUV	$35,190	105 combined MPGe

Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric car: what’s the difference?

So, what’s the difference between a hybrid and a PHEV? Glad you asked!

In a PHEV, the batteries are larger and the vehicle can essentially run as an electric car when it’s charged—the gas-powered internal combustion engine only kicks in when the battery runs out of juice. These are the ones you see that are plugged in on people’s driveways and at charging stations.

A hybrid engine still runs on gasoline but works together with an electric motor to power the vehicle. In a standard hybrid, there is no option to charge the battery just by plugging it in—it’s recharged via the internal combustion engine and through a process called

regenerative braking

Ford actually has three

all-electric cars

—the

F-150 Lightning

, the E-Transit, and the Mustang Mach-E. These have been quite popular for Ford, so expect to see more all-electric vehicles from them in the future.

MORE:

Car insurance for green vehicles

The best Ford hybrid cars

So what’s the best Ford hybrid for you? While it depends a lot on the kind of vehicle you want (SUV vs truck), there are a few notable entries. It bears mentioning that Ford was caught off-guard by the popularity of many of its hybrid models and has been struggling to meet the demand for some models, so you may be limited simply by availability as well.

Best Ford hybrid overall: Ford Escape SE or Ford Maverick

The most popular hybrid model for Ford is the Maverick, and when you look at the mileage and the accessible sticker price, it’s easy to see why.

Car and Driver

loved the Maverick as well, giving it a 9/10 and making it an Editors Choice for 2022. Its compact yet utilitarian size makes it a perfect choice for people who want a versatile, eco-friendly truck that has room for what you need but isn’t too big.

If you’re looking for a Ford hybrid SUV, then check out the Escape SE. The first one out is still a contender, with solid mpg ratings, an incredible amount of customization options, and good reviews from Kelley Blue Book and

Edmunds

. Plus, it’s been around for a while, so there’s been plenty of time to work out any kinks.

Best used Ford hybrid: Ford Fusion

One way to reduce the high upfront costs associated with buying a hybrid car is to buy a used model. Many folks were dismayed when Ford retired the popular Fusion in 2020 and it’s a good option if you’re looking to buy a used Ford hybrid or if you want a sedan.

The Fusion was produced from 2006 to 2020, so pricing will vary pretty drastically depending on what year you choose. There were a lot of options and variations available (including a PHEV) so there should be a good range of vehicles to choose from. A used 2020 Fusion will generally fall in the $20,000 to $25,000 range, so they appear to be holding value well.

MORE:

How to buy a hybrid car

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

Are Ford hybrids worth it?

Okay. Let’s drill down on what goes into a Ford hybrid!

Performance

There are a few different kinds of powertrains in Ford Hybrids, depending on the model that you select. The Escape comes with a hybrid 2.5L iVCT Atkinson-Cycle I-4 engine, which offers 165 horsepower, great fuel economy, and will nicely suit the needs of most drivers.

If you’re looking for a hybrid with some extra oomph, then take a look at the F-150’s PowerBoost hybrid engine. This is a hybrid engine that is indeed built Ford-tough, with the most torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup. With impressive stats like at least 12,000 pounds of towing capacity, 430 horsepower, and the ability to get 700 miles on a tank of gas, this is a hybrid that can still do tough “truck things”.

The F-150 also has the option to be used as a portable generator for plug in appliances with the addition of ProPower Onboard, which is available in three levels. The highest level (7,200 watts) has the ability to power tools like a welder and a G6 air compressor.

Whether you need a hybrid for hard work, weekend getaways, or day-to-day errands, Ford has an option for you.

Reliability

The hybrid model that gets the highest marks from RepairPal is the Escape, with a 4/5. The F-150 and the Explorer both earned a 3.5/5, which is also above average. There were some reports of reliability issues on the 2020-2021 F-150 hybrids, so it may be best to stick to the newest year for this model.

The Maverick is new to the lineup in 2022, so there isn’t a whole lot of data available on it just yet.

Cost of ownership

The ownership costs of a car are more than just what’s on the sticker and this applies to hybrids and non-hybrids alike. How does the overall cost of owning a hybrid Ford vs. a similar gas-powered model work out overall?

Let’s look at the 2022 Escape SE hybrid and see what the numbers are. The starting MSRP is listed as $29,920, but Edmunds calculates the five-year cost of ownership as $34,770. That includes:

Insurance: $4,445

Maintenance: $4,705

Repairs: $808

Financing: $3,117

Taxes and fees: $359

Fuel: $7,637

Depreciation: $13,699

By contrast, the five-year cost to own a 2022 gas-powered Escape SE is $37,135—even though the starting MSRP is just $280 more than the hybrid version.

When you compare the numbers, the big difference is in the cost of fuel. While you can expect to pay $7,637 in fuel over five years with your hybrid Escape SE, a standard internal combustion one will have a fuel cost of $10,433 for the same period.

As an added bonus, if you own a hybrid Ford, you may also be eligible for insurance discounts. And buying some new models of hybrid or PHEV Fords could mean getting

federal tax credits of up to $7,500

How to get sustainable rates on car insurance

Now let’s talk about that other kind of green—how to save money on

car insurance

for your fabulous new hybrid!

With

Jerry

, the

trustworthy super app

, on your side, finding the best car insurance policy for you is fast, easy, and requires just a little bit of information—but no phone calls or long forms! Just download the app, plug in your info, and pick the coverage that works best for you.

The average Jerry user saves more than $800 a year!

“
Jerry
was quick and provided me with various choices. I found the policy I wanted in 10 minutes and was able to drive off with my new car!” —Emiya S.

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

FAQs

Do you pay less tax on a hybrid car?

Sometimes, yes! The federal government offers

tax credits

of up to $7,500 for people who buy certain

new models of hybrid, PHEV, or electric Fords

How much does it cost to replace a Ford hybrid battery?

The cost to replace the battery in one of Ford’s hybrid models ranges roughly from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the model, the precise replacement needed, and where you have the service done.

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry