Ford Escape 2008
By Bruno Bouchard
Road-test liked :
- The price. The Escape starts at 23 999$. The front wheel drive XLT model with the V6 is available at 26 499$. The XLT 4X4 is offered at 28 999$;
- The interior's comfort level. It is a bit too sober in my opinion but the fact remains: it's comfy;
- The driver will easily find himself comfortable in front of the wheel;
- The Sirius satellite radio. But the screen ought to be bigger;
- It's looks (I know… it's subjective)
Road-test disliked :
- The 4 speed automatic transmission. Come on! It's time to offer at least a five speed, if not a six speed, just like most of it's competitors;
- Power is a bit short for a V6;
- The not so communicative steering;
- The handling, there is simply too much roll;
- The Limited model at 34 499$ is too expensive. At this price, the Escape comes head to head with better vehicles.
Driving impression
The well known 3 liters Duratec V6 equips the Ford Escape. Although this motor has a clean sheet in terms of reliability and longevity, it is getting quite old. The engine is rated at 200 hp but the accelerations are modest and passing maneuvers take longer than they should. One does not buy the Escape for it's sporty performances. Before flaming me with hate mail, please take time to read the entire paragraph. As I was saying the Duratec engine has been around forever. We have tested many Ford products who with this engine. It is the first time that it left me with this impression of not being up to the task. Let's find a culprit shall we? No need to call Sherlock Holmes.... the four speed automatic transmission is simply not up to par. The gearing ratio is much too long, it's missing one if not two more gears. This missing gear would allow for better accelerations and better fuel economy. The Escape delivered the same fuel mileage as the new Saturn VUE 2008 equipped with the 3,6 liters 252 hp motor.
The Escape's handling is at par with the engines performances: rather dull. The suspensions are calibrated for comfort. The passengers will appreciate this but they might get scared if the driver tries some sporty moves since the body roll is quite present. It's even more present in maneuvers that require rapid weight transfer. The soft suspensions combined with the body roll and steering responsiveness won't help the driver feel confident.
Conclusion
The 2008 Escape is better than the 2007 model in almost all facets: it's quieter, more comfortable, the chassis is stiffer but Ford chose a conservative approach with a popular model in terms of sales. With a base price of 23 999$, the Escape is one of the cheapest small SUV on the market. The Escape is an honest truck that will please the Ford enthusiast but won't create passion amongst those who prefer a different make. |
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