Best Hybrid Car/SUV

If you are going for the Escape, not hybrid, also compare to the Mazda Tribute

From the WikiPedia article

Crash test results for the Escape have been mixed. In the New Car Assessment Program administered by the USA based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the car received 5 out of 5 stars for driver protection and 4 out of 5 stars for passenger protection in a 35 mph (56 km/h) frontal impact.[9] The SUV received 5 stars for both driver and rear passenger in the side impact test. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's 40 mph (64 km/h) frontal offset test, 2001-2004 Escapes received a score of "Marginal".[10] In the side impact crash test vehicles equipped with the optional side air bags received a score of "Good" in the 31 mph (50 km/h), while those without the optional air bags received a score of "Poor".[11

It occurs to me that a good way to get a good test drive in these cars is by using ZIP car

Hertz also had hourly rentals but only in Manhattan, though they do have a Fusion for rent

Thanks BrooklynJack--brilliant suggestion!

PS, I'm leaning towards the xc60 now. My friends have officially given up on my ever settling on a final decision. I think test drives really will be the litmus!

A word on the XC60:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/review-volvo-xc60-t6-r-design/