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Escape
Complete 2008 Ford Escape New Car Reviews listed below
The 2008 Ford Escape compact Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) (MSRP $18,770 - $25,520) is available in XLS, XLT, and Limited trim levels. The Ford Escape was introduced in 2001 and is currently in its second generation. It was jointly developed with Mazda, in which Ford owns a controlling interest, and was released simultaneously with the Mazda Tribute.1 It is built on the Ford CD2 platform, which is in turn based on the Mazda GF platform, which was used by the Mazda 626.2 This model is assembled in Claycomo, Missouri.
This model competes with the Acura RDX, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Patriot, Mazda CX-7, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Saturn Vue, and Toyota RAV4. Available engine choices are a 153-horsepower, 2.3-liter I4 engine and a 200-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine. Buyers may choose from five-speed automatic transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission; and a front-wheel drive (FWD) system or rear-wheel drive (RWD) system. A mechanical center differential and a center limited slip differential are additional drivetrain features on the AWD trim levels.
The 2008 Ford Escape compact SUV has a four-wheel independent suspension, a front stabilizer bar, a multi-link rear suspension, and a MacPherson strut front suspension.
Exterior features for the Ford Escape compact SUV are 16 x 6.5 inch wheels, all-season tires, variable intermittent wipers, and a steel spare wheel. It is equipped with a temporary underbody-mounted spare tire, a rear defogger, and a rear window wiper. It also has a manual flip-up liftgate window, a chrome grille, and a rear liftgate door.
Ford Escape compact SUV instrumentation features are a clock, a tachometer, cargo tie downs, and low fuel level warning.
Seats and trim features on the Ford Escape compact SUV include a 5-person total seating capacity, cloth upholstery, and bucket front seats. In the rear, it is equipped with a 40-60 split bench rear seat, rear ventilation ducts, and a split-folding rear seatback.
The Ford Escape compact SUV basic convenience features include electric speed-proportional power steering, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, and retained accessory power. It also has front and rear cupholders, a front console with storage, and 12V front and 12V rear power outlets.
The Ford Escape compact SUV power and comfort features power windows and mirrors, remote power door locks, 1 one-touch power window, and a cargo area light. This model is also equipped with front reading lights, air conditioning, and dual vanity mirrors.
Ford Escape compact SUV entertainment and telematics features are an AM/FM in-dash single CD player stereo, a mast antenna, 4 total speakers, and an auxiliary MP3 audio input.
Ford Escape compact SUV safety and security features include ventilated front disc/rear drum brakes, a 4-wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), dual front side-mounted airbags, and front and rear head airbags. It also has front seatbelt pretensioners, child seat anchors, rear door child safety locks, and rear center 3-point belt. The Ford Escape is equipped with traction control, stability control, passenger airbag occupant-sensing deactivation, and an engine immobilizer. This model also has 2 front and 3 rear height-adjustable headrests, tire pressure monitoring, and electronic brake-force distribution.
Alternative/additional features on the XLT trim level include 16 x 7.0 inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, a privacy glass, front fog/driving lights, dusk-sensing headlamps, and auto delay off headlamps. It also has premium cloth upholstery, a 6-way power driver seat, and a height-adjustable driver seat. This trim level is also equipped with cruise control, a front seatback storage, front door pockets, alloy trim on center console, and front and rear floor mats.
Alternative/additional features on the Limited trim level include a trip computer, an external temperature display, a compass, and 16 x 7.0 inch polished alloy wheels. It also has leather upholstery, digital keypad power door locks, and an overhead console with storage. This trim level is also equipped with alloy trim on shift knob, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an AM/FM in-dash 6 CD player with CD MP3 Playback stereo, and an adjustable speed-sensitive volume control.
A safety and crash test report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that both the 2008 Ford Escape 4-door compact SUV with Side Airbags (Early release) received three stars out of five (driver) and five stars out of five (passenger) in frontal crash tests; five stars out of five in side crash tests; and three stars out of five in rollover tests (2-wheel and 4-wheel drive).
The 2008 Ford Escape 4-door compact SUV with Side Airbags (Later release) received four stars out of five (driver) and five stars out of five (passenger) in frontal crash tests; five stars out of five in side crash tests; and three stars out of five in rollover tests (2-wheel and 4-wheel drive).
A reliability history report from ConsumerReports.org showed how the Ford Escape compact SUV held up mechanically. The Ford Escape (4-cyl.) trim levels received the following ratings for the year 2007 (major redesign year was also 2001):
Excellent ratings for engine, transmission, drive system, fuel system, suspension, and exhaust; very good ratings for electrical system, climate system, paint and trim, and squeaks and rattles trouble spots; and good ratings for brakes, body hardware, power equipment, and audio system.
The Ford Escape (V6) received the following ratings for the year 2007 (major redesign year was also 2001):
Excellent ratings for engine, transmission, drive system, fuel system, electrical system, paint and trim, audio system, and exhaust; very good ratings for climate system, suspension, brakes, squeaks and rattles, and power equipment; and good ratings for body hardware and audio system.
Click here for more information on 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Ford Escape car prices, auto insurance, auto loans, car dealers, and car leases.
The Ford Escape Hybrid looks and drives almost exactly like a regular Escape. It uses battery power to supplement a small gasoline engine to get 35 miles per gallon in town, 15 more than the V6 Escape. Just like on the outside, the Escape Hybrid's interior is virtually identical to the regular Escape's. Only a few extra gauges and a small LCD screen set it apart.
•2006 Ford Escape Compact Crossover Wagon/Sport Utility Vehicle
Ford's front-wheel-drive (FWD) crossover wagon foregoes the body-on-frame structure of a truck-based SUV in favor of a monocoque platform that unites chassis and body in a cohesive unit that's rigid in motion.
•2006 Ford Escape Hybrid Compact Crossover Wagon/Sport Utility Vehicle
The compact-class Escape crossover wagon spins off a fuel-efficient hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) called Escape Hybrid.
•2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
The compact-class Escape crossover wagon spawns a new fuel-efficient hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for 2005 labeled, logically, Escape Hybrid. The HEV version resembles a conventional Escape, although powertrains differ.
•2005 Ford Escape Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
With a slightly new look for 2005, the Ford Escape is more refined and comfortable than ever. It has a quieter cabin with better materials than last year's model, and its ride is still smooth and car-like. Inside, while it still won't be mistaken for a luxury car, the 2005 Escape has a new look and feel to match its intense competition from both domestic and foreign companies.
•2005 Ford Escape Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
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•2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
The Ford Escape Hybrid, gas-electric, sport utility is the first product of its kind to hit the market, and the first to be built in the United States. It is beating the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX to market giving it an early opportunity to demonstrate its use to the American public.
•2004 Ford Escape Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Escape manages to combine the optimum aspects of a car and a truck.
•2003 Ford Escape Compact SUV
Ford's crossover sport-utility foregoes the usual body-on-frame structure of a truck-based SUV in favor of a monocoque platform which unites chassis and body in a cohesive unit that's extremely rigid in motion.
•2003 Ford Escape Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Why mess with a winning formula? Ford clearly follows this mantra as its wildly successful Escape mini-SUV enters its third year. It's got the same nimble handling, rugged looks and sporty personality that made it popular with buyers starting in 2001, so it's no wonder that Ford doesn't want to screw things up by making big changes.
