That's what I was thinking...to consider the Platinum.  However, the wife seems to prefer the Bronco Sport over the Escape so it may end up being a Badlands.  We'll have to wait and see.  😄

For buyers who want greater performance, Toyota offers the hybrid Corola Cross.  Car and Driver tested both the ICE and Hybrid powertrains and found the 0-60 MPH acceleration time dropped nearly 2 seconds, from 9.2 to 7.3.  And as expected fuel economy was improved considerably by hybrid at same time.   What’s different and worth noting about Toyota Corola Cross is that fuel economy improved from 30 to 36 MPG at constant 75 MPH by going to hybrid.  By comparison, the similar test of Nautilus ICE versus Hybrid resulted in identical 30 MPG at constant 75 MPH.  Granted these are rough numbers based on testing only one car and rounding off results so not exact, and obviously the Lincoln is a larger and heavier vehicle that should not be compared directly to Corola Cross in any case, but C/D test data does confirm importance of both hybrid/transmission and engine contributions having a role in hybrid-vehicle optimization.   At steady highway speed of 75 MPH, the Corola Cross hybrid’s Atkinson engine is almost certainly more efficient than their ICE in order to bump fuel economy from 30 to 36 MPG.  By comparison the Nautilus’ use of the same engine in ICE and hybrid results in same steady 75 MPH fuel economy, as can be expected.  Obviously Nautilus FE improves significantly in city cycle, but not much if at all at steady highway speed.   TO BE CLEAR, ABOVE COMPARES COROLA VS COROLA, AND NAUTILUS VS NAUTILUS TO DIFFERENTIATE HYBRID DESIGNS.

Got the 2023 explorer xlt with active x seats. 

yes have to go to limited for 2023.  

Well in your example you're comparing a family car to a sports car. I'm comparing a crossover to a crossover. You're right, going EV doesn't automatically assume something will be better looking, but it gives you more packaging flexibility. With EVs, you have offer a lower, more curvaceous hood, really push the wheels out to the corners, reduce the size of the overhangs. So there are a lot of things about EVs that lend themselves to being able to create a better looking design.    I'm in the minority here, but I've said before how I wouldn't mind if the next gen escape adopted a baby mach-e look, essentially becoming Ford's Macan, a smaller, more affordable take on the street performance crossover to slot beneath the mach-e. That way, the bronco sport and escape are both iconic, appealing products, that go after drastically different audiences. I like the rugged and boxy look, but I also argue some enthusiasts want a more rounded, coupe like SUV shape, and Ford isn't doing much to appeal to that crowd beyond the mach-e.    This is a $35k Chinese EV that was recently revealed, if the next escape looked anything like this, Ford would have a winner. 

And just as many folks are buying the hybrid for max performance as for fuel economy.  Definitely a win/win.

Sure, but they need to be working together due to the interconnections, hence the federal regulations.    https://unitedstatesmaps.org/us-power-grid-map/  

Modern gasoline engines are required to reach convert or light off within 30 seconds, DI +PFI has really cleaned up cold start emissions profile such that  cold start emissions are mostly controlled via low cost particulate filters. Also, today’s smaller engines also have much less of an emissions problem than engines did  15 years ago   Ford China’s use of 2.0 EB with hybrid power train is genius in my opinion I am surprised that the 1.5 EB hasn’t been used similarly but understand if only one hybrid powertrain was required….   I know that’s a little off topic but I’m enthralled at how good the latest Nautilus performs, amazing how that solution was there in plain sight.

The vast majority of utility companies are regulated by state governments. 

The free market ain't doing it anymore.