LA AUTO SHOW: The 2008 Ford Escape revealed

Well well, something bold from Ford! The 2008 Escape has certainly been restyled with bold strokes, evolving into something that's unmistakable as the smallest sibling of the Explorer and Expedition. The interior has been taken uptown with high quality materials and a pleasing, handsome design incorporating many comfort and quietness improvements. Nice touches abound, from an iPod jack to blue instrument illumination, not to mention the use of laminated glass and acoustic headlining to reduce NVH levels. Debuting in the '08 Escape is Ford's "top of dash" display that puts information like ambient temp, climate control settings and radio functions at eye level.

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yuck at the chromed bumper section. Maybe it looks better (the whole thing, I mean) in person? *shrug* Judging by this pic, the old one looked better, IMO.

That's just horrible. The Escape looked far better in current form.

Tooooo bling. I prefer the satiny Mariner.

I really dislike the grille. Makes the front look clunky.

To much chrome on the bumper, but it's a nice upgrade. Looks "truckier."

Ignoring looks for a moment, some other highlights:

The 2008 Escape is believed to be the first U.S. automotive application of seating surfaces made from 100 percent recycled materials...

...Ford's use of post-industrial recycled materials, rather than virgin fibers, will conserve an estimated 600,000 gallons of water, an estimated 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents, and the equivalent of more than 7 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

ADVERTISE THAT, FORD!

Escape's center console is large enough to hold a laptop computer, and there are three levels of storage space. In addition, the center console features two removable bins with innovative dovetail mounting points, which allows the bins to be hung from the front passenger side and rear of the console for additional storage.

The 2008 Escape is one of the first Ford Motor Company vehicles to use speed-sensitive Electric Power Steering (EPS), a sophisticated system that helps correct for road irregularities and improves overall steering feel.

Under its skin, the 2008 Escape has one of the most advanced safety packages in the small SUV segment. Escape comes standard with Safety Canopy™ side air curtains...

...I-4 and V-6 Escape models come standard with Ford's exclusive AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control.

Now, for looks...the chrome looks overkill in these pics, but I'm guessing it will look better in person. I thought the Explorer with the chrome bar looked gaudy in the Ford press release pics, but seeing them in person is totally different...it actually looks pretty nice. Ford sucks at press release pics.

The lighting in this photo is the worst I have seen in years...you can barely make out any of the bodylines with all the glare from the sunset. BAD FORD!!

I'd like it better if it had the Fusion/Edge/Gillette Mach 3 Grill on it.

I dont hate it, but I'll have to see it in person.

Looks fantastic!....man, what an improvement over the old one. It's more masculine.....the previous was feminine, more girly. This one is very trucky, like it alot. Especially that chromey front.

I like it, too, though I'd probably take the Mercury Mariner over it. I'm with Harley. It looks much more masculine and tougher than the current whimpy escape. I don't think it's too bling, the chrome is not overkill, IMO. If it were on the sides, the mirrors and the back end it would be.

Edit: The two-tone interior looks nice, too.

Edited November 29, 200618 yr by sciguy_0504

Good God that's foul! This picture doesn't do it any justice. The one on the Autoblog site looks many, many times better IMO.

Bad lighting on that pic, it looks like it's sweating. The C&D pics are much better. The light green one at C&D's gallery is nice looking. I like the new, squarer body with the cleaner side treatment, and the front looks better, more macho. The old one looks timid by comparison. This and the Mariner deserve the 3.5L as the top engine. The Tribute should be given a 1.2L, 58 horsepower 4 cylinder with a one barrel carb.

Edited November 30, 200618 yr by ocnblu

Is this all-new, or just a refresh? Can't tell from the pic. Reminds me a bit of the late 90s Explorer grille.

Just a refresh more of

I don't think I like your avatar, Fordfan1. :AH-HA_wink:

I don't think I like your avatar, Fordfan1.   :AH-HA_wink:

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I wouldn't worry about it, if that's the best thing he can come up with

The two-tone is very boring. The dash is just a big slab in front of the passenger with no detail at all... very drab.

The question is, what's better, the VUE or Escape? Right now I'd say it's a tie on the exterior with a slight edge going to the VUE if the lower-models don't have black plastic bumpers and the VUE's interior looks much better than the Escape's.

Better pics:

Hybrid Escape

Oh, well... if you can only get that color in the Hybrid, nevermind. I need my internal combustion, baby.

I liked the current hybrid's 2-tone exterior better. And Sickly Green never looks flattering on anything.

Reminds me of the Nitro...

For comparison

I prefer the new Escape's exterior styling over the new VUE because it doesn't look so thrown together but the VUE takes the interior hands down.

Not bad... esp. compared to the current Explorer.

In those first pics, it's ugly.

In the second pics, it looks much better.

Compared to the old photos of it-I think I'm starting to like it...

lLike the dash layout too...

Saw one in person today, and it's not bad. It looks larger and more substantial than the previous version. The interior, however, is just as crappy, if not crappier.

What's sweet is that they took it in a far different direction than the Mariner, and I really think that will help the Mariner.

Nice to see it picked up some Bronco concept cues...

I dunno though... I'm still a little torn. Why does Ford insist on dumbing down their SUVs with such plain and feminine looking side panels?

Seeing the compaison pics...it does look better and cleaner than the old one. Still, it could have been better.

The new Escape is cleaner, I'll give it that, but I still prefer the old one.

I'd like it better if it had the Fusion/Edge/Gillette Mach 3 Grill on it.

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No, No, Gillette Fusion, too.

See, five blades

And don't forget the one on the back, too.

form the rear it looks better, but I'm still very against the grille/headlight design.

It looks very toyish for some reason...

"YOU-ARE-A-TOY-CAR!!!!"

No, No, Gillette Fusion, too.

See, five blades

And don't forget the one on the back, too.

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BRILLIANT!

No, No, Gillette Fusion, too.

See, five blades

And don't forget the one on the back, too.

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LOL