What is it?
2008 Ford Escape
What's special about it?
Not quite a full redesign, the 2008 Ford Escape (due out in the spring) gets a new look on the outside and additional features inside to keep it from getting overrun by a flood of new competitors. There are also improvements to the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid designed to give it smoother transitions between its gas and electric power.
A new front fascia is the most obvious exterior change, one that Ford designers made to give the Escape a look similar to the larger Explorer and Expedition. A less obvious move was to raise the window line slightly to give the Escape a more substantial look. Additional changes include blacked-out B-pillars, integrated running boards and the removal of the gray-colored body moldings.
"We raised the beltline to give the profile a strong, modern proportion of sheet metal to glass," says Doyle Letson, chief designer for the 2008 Escape. "Then, we sculpted the surfaces for a more Ford Tough Truck appearance, making Escape fit nicely in line with the Explorer."
The subtle design changes on the outside are matched by a similar fine-tuning of the interior. All Escapes get a redesigned center stack and a new two-tiered instrument panel that provides radio and climate control information in a pod on top of the gauge cluster. Ford's traditional green backlighting has also been changed to a new "Ice Blue" color to give it a more modern look. An enlarged center console can now fit a laptop computer and the upholstery is made of 100-percent recycled materials.
Ford's engineers also went to work on this Escape with several functional upgrades like a new electric power steering system they claim improves road feel and fuel economy by reducing load on the engine. Interior sound levels were reduced by a new roof design, multilayer windshield, acoustic headliner and thicker carpeting.
Nothing changes under the hood as the Escape will still offer a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 153 horsepower or a 200-hp 3.0-liter V6. Base models can be equipped with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic while V6s are automatic only. Escape hybrids continue with the same drivetrain setup as before, but new engine control software is used to smooth the transitions between the gas and electric motors.
What's Edmunds' take?
Six years after its introduction, the Escape remains the sales leader of the small-utility segment. With the 269-hp Toyota RAV4 and the all-new Honda CR-V running around, however, not to mention the slick new Dodge Nitro, the Escape's redo might not be enough for the little truck to keep its sales crown. — Scott Oldham
2008 Ford Escape
What's special about it?
Not quite a full redesign, the 2008 Ford Escape (due out in the spring) gets a new look on the outside and additional features inside to keep it from getting overrun by a flood of new competitors. There are also improvements to the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid designed to give it smoother transitions between its gas and electric power.
A new front fascia is the most obvious exterior change, one that Ford designers made to give the Escape a look similar to the larger Explorer and Expedition. A less obvious move was to raise the window line slightly to give the Escape a more substantial look. Additional changes include blacked-out B-pillars, integrated running boards and the removal of the gray-colored body moldings.
"We raised the beltline to give the profile a strong, modern proportion of sheet metal to glass," says Doyle Letson, chief designer for the 2008 Escape. "Then, we sculpted the surfaces for a more Ford Tough Truck appearance, making Escape fit nicely in line with the Explorer."
The subtle design changes on the outside are matched by a similar fine-tuning of the interior. All Escapes get a redesigned center stack and a new two-tiered instrument panel that provides radio and climate control information in a pod on top of the gauge cluster. Ford's traditional green backlighting has also been changed to a new "Ice Blue" color to give it a more modern look. An enlarged center console can now fit a laptop computer and the upholstery is made of 100-percent recycled materials.
Ford's engineers also went to work on this Escape with several functional upgrades like a new electric power steering system they claim improves road feel and fuel economy by reducing load on the engine. Interior sound levels were reduced by a new roof design, multilayer windshield, acoustic headliner and thicker carpeting.
Nothing changes under the hood as the Escape will still offer a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 153 horsepower or a 200-hp 3.0-liter V6. Base models can be equipped with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic while V6s are automatic only. Escape hybrids continue with the same drivetrain setup as before, but new engine control software is used to smooth the transitions between the gas and electric motors.
What's Edmunds' take?
Six years after its introduction, the Escape remains the sales leader of the small-utility segment. With the 269-hp Toyota RAV4 and the all-new Honda CR-V running around, however, not to mention the slick new Dodge Nitro, the Escape's redo might not be enough for the little truck to keep its sales crown. — Scott Oldham
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