I'm back home for a few weeks and got to drive it. Filled it up when I got home, 29.5MPG with my wife driving is for about 80% of the time (me the other 20%), about 50/50 city/hwy. So not too shabby, about average compared to the others on Fuelly. I've been the only driver the last few days, about 30% city, even going 75MPH with the AC on for about 30 miles, it got 36.2MPG. I had a cardboard grille block slapped over most of the upper grille for that tank.
I see the Escape Hybrid as being a great option for someone that needs the size of an SUV, especially a hypermiler. I can go up to about half a mile in EV mode going about 25MPH. Overall, I'm very pleased with it. Can't wait to do some mods.