Ford's hybrid Escape SUV pleases in multiple ways

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Ford Motor Co. has a long history of "give-'em-what-they-want."

In modern terms, the recently tested Ford Escape SE PHEV FWD does all that in one vehicle.

The compact crossover SUV is attractive, one of the more sportier-looking SUVs on the market -- sleek and smooth in profile, finely sculpted on the front end.

And it handles well.  Auto-reviewing colleagues call it "sedan-like," and they're spot on.  I was able to wheel the tester around with secure, impressive ease.  Never did I feel out of touch with the vehicle, even when I put it into sharp corners at high speed.

Power was not neck-snapping but more than adequate given the hybrid package.  The 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle 4 power plant is rated at 200 horsepower.  The big payoff there is a gas-electric fuel mileage rating/equivalent of 105 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving.

Yes, that's a very big deal given the currently sky-high price of gasoline.

Critics have thrown stones at the interior of the Escape, but I found it entirely comfortable and functional.  Controls are easy to understand and use (multiple trips to review the owner's manual are not necessary).

My tester was made for those who want more than all this.  Pleasing options included a power liftgate, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 10-way power driver's seat.

One small gripe: As I've noticed in past Escapes, upon braking, the hybrid power plant emits a soft whine that sounds like the approach of a siren.  It's not a deal-breaker, but it takes some getting used to.

For a reasonable price of $35,305, the tester also was loaded with a generous suite of standard safety/security features.

And the good cargo-carrying ability is the cherry on top.

In sum, the tested Escape shaped up as the near-perfect SUV choice for the careful shopper looking for a practically-priced vehicle that has it all.