2006 L.A. Auto Show: 2008 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape is still the best-selling compact SUV on the market after debuting in 2001. That’s a considerable achievement, especially with competition like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V in the same segment. Ford has redesigned the exterior and interior of the Escape and given it new electric power steering for the 2008 model year, but the engines, suspension and almost all the underpinnings remain unchanged. The popular hybrid version is getting the same refresh and debuts alongside the standard Escape.
The 2008 Escape will still come with a choice of a 153-hp four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter V-6 that produces 200 hp. Even the hybrid powertrain is exactly the same for ’08, with its combined 155 hp from the four-cylinder and an electric motor.
Big changes are almost all design-related. Check out the beefier exterior – obviously meant to take on the more masculine Dodge Nitro rather than the Japanese cute-utes – and updated interior. We’re not sure if the redesign is perfect, but the simple change from Ford’s traditional green instrument lighting to blue here in the Escape is a much-welcomed end to a major nitpick of ours.
More pictures can be found below.
Ford Escape Hybrid
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Not hard to figure out why Ford is in trouble. They do not redesign there cars frequently enough.
Now the Escape sets out to follow the Taurus, Focus, Ranger, Winstar etc, all of which suffered from slow redesigns.
The Escape was introduced in 2001 and is now in its seventh year. This 'resign' is mostly a styling makeover (not even a significant one). How long until a redesign? Who knows.....
Both the CR-V and the RAV-4 are changed significantly every five years. Competition is getting much fiercer in this segment. Given this lukewarm effort will the Escape stay competitive?
As for the styling, it seems like the Escape spent too much time with the Explorer and the Dodge Patriot. The result is a weird mix between truckish and trying to be cute. I don't think it will work.....and the exaggerated use of chrome certainly does not help.
I guess the Edge seems to be the only beneficary of new thinking in Ford's styling department so far..... except maybe the Fusion.
looking good!
I'm a Michigan native so will get behind whatever the Big Three thinks will sell cars. I think that Ford is realizing the error in their ways in terms of not updating cars frequently enough and I hope that the Edge, MKX and Mustang are the beginning of a redeciation to that. Hopefully Mulally will steer the ship right!
I like the new Esacpe, agreed that it's going for the more masculine look - chasing the Nitro and trying to distance itself from the "girly" mid-sized SUVs. If the success of the smaller Caliber is any indication, the Nitro and mid-sized suvs with broad "gender appeal" should do well.
The "new" Escape is like the "new" Ranger--same doors and roofline, just a few trim pieces. A mid-model correction, and the Escape has been out since when--2001? Overdue for a full redesign.
I agree with Tor on this. It's not hard to see why Ford is in trouble when they let their best selling cars get outdated in the market. The Escape was the one to beat when it debuted in 2001. Now it is pretty much the same vehicle with a cheap looking interior (for 2008), and barely redesigned exterior while the RAV4 and CR-V have been redesigned twice since 2001. It will probably not keep its #1 selling status with a poor redesign like this, and with the lack of effort Ford put into this redesign, it doesn't deserve to be #1. Imagine what the Fusion/Edge will be like in 7 years.....If Ford is still here....
Why bother to make it look tough, it is still not an off-road capable vehicle, while Dodge Nitro is one. Just stay right where it needs to be, a car-like cute-ute, and give it not just cosmetic surgery, but real update in engines, suspensions, chassis, etc.
Or else, it is just going to follow the path of Taurus, Focus, and Freestar.
Girlie or masculine, doesn't matter to me. I'd like to see them stay ahead of the pack and refine the hybrid features, add plugin, be on CR's quick pick list, etc. Oh and it doesn't have to go offroad, if you need to do that, you have alot of other choices.
Like all other Fords aside from the F-150 and Mustang, it appeals to mostly female buyers. Id still buy any ford over any any Dodge or GM product. Based on real life accounts of quality.
Looking at the redesigned Escape
I just don't know what the Ford design team is doing. They must be drinking too much coffee and not having time to redesign. Looks like all they did with this escape is to put a shell on a Ford Ranger. I eman look at the front of this thing, hard to tell it apart From the Frod Ranger which I have heard Ford may be discontinuing.
Corrrection
Looking at the redesigned Escape.
I just don't know what Ford design team is doing. They must be drinking too much coffee and not having time to redesign. Looks like all they did with this Escape is to put a shell on a Ranger Pickup. I mean, look at the front of this thing. It is hard to tell it apart from a Ford Ranger, which I heard Ford may be discontinuing.
I don't get it. The lines are a cluttered mess.
fender flares do not a redesign make. i hope the platform mates are less hideous.
The "new" Escape is a total disappoinment in terms of design, which already looked old and boring before it goes on sale. Mechanically it is very boring again, no major upgrade since the 2000 original launch. Don't understand where Ford is spending its money to be at least competitive. This segment is very crowded now and everyone else introduces better looking and more capable models. It seems Ford is on a self fulfilling path to schedule Escape as Taurus, Freestar, and Freestyle, all to the grave yard.
Zzzzzz! The new Escape design is oh so boring. Looks like an outdated Pathfinder/Forrester design. Well, say "adios" to the Escape in a few years for Ford will find the sales numbers ever decreasing with this plain design.
I own a 04' Escape with nearly 100,000 miles and have had nothing go wrong since I purchased it brand new. I have said I'd buy another because this one has treated me so well, but after looking at these pictures I'm going to have to reconsider on my next purchase. My rental car last weekend was a Saturn Vue, this in my opinion doesn't look very different and the ride basically sucked compared to what I'm used to in the 04' Escape. The new look sucks guys, but the idea of sticking with the your 3.0 V6 is a good idea. Please tell me that the pictures I'm looking at are just concept and not production yet.............
Thanks,
Jeff
I own a 04' Escape with nearly 100,000 miles and have had nothing go wrong since I purchased it brand new. I have said I'd buy another because this one has treated me so well, but after looking at these pictures I'm going to have to reconsider on my next purchase. My rental car last weekend was a Saturn Vue, this in my opinion doesn't look very different and the ride basically sucked compared to what I'm used to in the 04' Escape. The new look sucks guys, but the idea of sticking with the your 3.0 V6 is a good idea. Please tell me that the pictures I'm looking at are just concept and not production yet.............
Thanks,
Jeff
I own a 04' Escape with nearly 100,000 miles and have had nothing go wrong since I purchased it brand new. I have said I'd buy another because this one has treated me so well, but after looking at these pictures I'm going to have to reconsider on my next purchase. My rental car last weekend was a Saturn Vue, this in my opinion doesn't look very different and the ride basically sucked compared to what I'm used to in the 04' Escape. The new look sucks guys, but the idea of sticking with the your 3.0 V6 is a good idea. Please tell me that the pictures I'm looking at are just concept and not production yet.............
Thanks,
Jeff
I plan to buy an SUV Hybrid this year and for the most part I have read and heard good things about the Ford Escape. Sadly, and apart from all the privious comments about the appearance restyling, the complete drivetrain is essentially the same. Although Ford was progressive in initially offering a hybrid SUV, it appears that the 2008 "redesign" will revert back to rear drum brakes over the current rear disk brakes!(an obvious cost savings on their part) This is so typical of Ford's and Detroit's backwards thinking (as opposed to Asian autos)and failures to be on the leading edge in technology, fuel economy, safety, and styling. Although I considered the Ford Escape to be my first choice, I am now taking a look at the more advanced Japanese products. I want to buy American, advanced fuel economy, and safety but sadly Detroit continues to think they can "milk" old design to the American public. I wish that Ford would see these reviews of the Escape and wake up!
I saw the 2008 Ford Escape at the Chicago Auto Show and it looks great in person. Let's see if the poor mileage from the 6 cylinder has been adressed. I have a 2002 with 125,000 miles and it runs like a champ. The 2008 interior is a huge improvement. Quit bashing the design until you see it on the lot.
I had a showing of the new 2008 Escape and Escape Hybrid. Although I think the design is much improved, I'm concerned about its durability and power. They claim they are much quieter, but the engines I heard still sounded like a 747. Their navigation sucks, like the touch screen, but have they not heard of color? Those seats made me feel like I was sitting on a pile of plastic bags. There are bulges in the material and I don't think it will last but a couple years before it starts to degrade.
The redesigned 2008 Jeep liberty is getting my paycheck- very nice mini-hummer design with confidence in off road handeling. Very nice seats, color nav system, and available in at least a 3.7L
I agree the redesign is very disappointing. The big flat macho front-end looks like its trying to be Dodge Nitro(look at me, I'm "bad-ass" too!), reduces the aerodynamics, and makes the car look dated immediately. At the same time, the most unremarkable styling cues of the prior model, mainly the back-end were left virtually unchanged. Just when I thought Ford's "Bold Moves" were going to save its hide it does something like this...
Hey...Nice Explorer....whaaaaah??? It's kinda like Mini making a bigger mini...where do you draw the line?
I have a 2008 Ford Escape and I like it alot. I tried the 2007, but after driving the 2008 that was the one I wanted. You have to see it on the lot and drive it.