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What it is
Ford Escape – 2008 Preview: When it goes on sale next year, the 2008 Ford Escape will mark the nameplate's seventh year of existence in the U.S. market. During that time, the Escape has been a leader in a growing segment, racking up more than 1,000,000 sales. But the competition is gaining ground, and subsequently the little Ford gets a number of updates for 2008. Soldiering on will be the gas and hybrid powertrains, and a chassis that has been slightly tweaked. However, the styling has been massaged, the interior worked over, and best of all, the base sticker price is expected to be lower than the model it replaces.
Why it matters
The small and midsize SUV segments are heating up with redesigned models, all-new competition, and a whole slew of new products falling under the crossover designation. Many offer the comfort and convenience of premium cars, remarkably powerful engines, and room for up to five or seven passengers. It's a tough segment in which to fight, yet the Escape has done well to hold its own, and for struggling Ford, that's important. To remain competitive, Ford needs a product that attacks on all fronts – size, style, power, and efficiency. With its evolutionary design and array of powertrains, the 2008 Escape should continue to win buyers, if not exactly dazzling them in the process.
What's under the hood
Like the 2007 model, the 2008 Ford Escape will be available with three engine choices – a four-cylinder gasser, a four-cylinder hybrid, and a six-cylinder gasser. The base 2.3-liter four-banger puts out 153 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 152 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm, pushing power through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The Escape hybrid pairs a 70-kilowatt motor with a 133-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder, for a total net horsepower of 155. These Escapes feature a continuously-variable automatic tranny. Finally, there's the 3.0-liter V6 engine, which is good for 200 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 193 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,850 rpm. The V6 provides a 3,500-lb. towing capacity.
What it looks like
Most notable among the changes for 2008 is the new front design treatment. Intended to mimic the "bold" (think Ford might be overusing the word a bit?) face of the brand's Explorer and full-size trucks, the prominent chrome grille is used to impart a sense of power, while restyled swept back headlights add a contemporary flair. The flanks and tail have been tweaked a bit, though they remain undeniably Escape, and the wheel wells can be filled with new 17-inch alloys. Hybrid models get their own unique badging.
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