Best-selling small ute gets complete makeover

For 2008, Ford has completely revamped America’s best-selling small utility vehicle. With much needed bumper to bumper changes both inside and out, Escape still feels outdated compared to competition like Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Xterra.

The new Escape looks like a condensed version of the Ford Explorer with a more truck-like appearance. The new chrome grille on the base XLS model could easily feel at home on a Ford pickup truck. Limited and Hybrid models have monochrome grilles that match the vehicle’s body color, unless you buy the Chrome Package. Taillights are clear and wrap around the corners of the rear fenders.

Inside is a completely new instrument panel that looks like a mini version of the F-150 dash. Nothing cutting edge or breakthrough here. Controls for audio, climate and other functions are intuitive and easy to use. The dash light color is what Ford calls Ice Blue. Nice, but the scripting isn’t particularly easy to read at a glance.

We drove an Escape Hybrid with the optional touch-screen navigation system. The screen is too small, but the graphics are easy to read and programming is easier than most.

There’s plenty of storage space with lots of cubbyholes for cell phones, glasses and pocket change. Storage bins are molded in the door bottoms. The center console is large ­— actually very large, laptop computer large — with two removable trays for stacking.

While Ford made the cabin larger, it still feels small compared to the RAV4 and CR-V. Overall cargo space, at 66.3 cubic feet, is the smallest in its class.

For 2008, Escape is offered in four trim levels with front-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive and either a four-cylinder, V-6, or gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

The Limited and Limited all-wheel drive come standard with a 3.0-liter 200 horsepower V-6 engine that includes a four-speed automatic transmission. The base Escape XLS is powered by a 153 horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual shifter. Add $1000 each for the automatic and V-6 engine upgrades.

Our hybrid Escape is powered by a 133-horsepower Atkinson Cycle version of the four-cylinder engine and a 70-kilowatt electric motor. The hybrid can run on complete electric power up to 25 mph. This is the same engine setup that has powered the hybrid since its introduction as a 2005 model in late 2004. Acceleration was quite responsive and felt more like that of the V-6 Escape offering. On the highway, the hybrid felt pretty much like a non-hybrid Escape.

When the hybrid is stopped, the battery pack keeps sending power to the electric power steering and power brakes so the driver feels no difference in either. However, a recurring complaint from when we tested the 2005 model is the engine-belt-driven air-conditioner compressor that shuts down when the vehicle is in “battery” mode.

That simply will not do for our hot Arizona summers because the air-conditioner shuts down when in electric mode. This completely defeats the advantage of having a hybrid. The air only works when you slide the climate control lever to the “Max-AC” setting, which then keeps the gasoline engine running. This is a major flaw and one we have raised with Ford who seems either unconcerned or unwilling to address it.

On a positive note however, we did average almost 27 mpg during our week long testing in just about an even split of city and highway driving.

Ford went to great lengths to make the cabin quieter at highway speeds — that we deem a success. We thought the Escape handled well, rode comfortably and wasn’t overly unbalanced on curves and cornering. Bumps and uneven pavement were handled with comfort and ease.

The brakes however were the worst we’ve felt on a vehicle in long time. It felt like pushing your foot into a large sponge with little assurance of where the vehicle would come to a halt. On vehicles other than the hybrid, Ford still uses the old style drum brakes on the rear. Not good and not competitive when compared to others in this class.

Standard safety gear includes front, side and canopy curtain-style airbags, electronic stability control and Ford’s Roll Stability Control system. For some reason the hybrid Escape model does not include stability control or Roll Stability Control. The Escape has not been crash tested as of this review.

Overall, we remain less impressed with Escape when compared to competition from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai. The lone exception is the hybrid Escape that has no class competition and is our choice if you want to own and drive an Escape.

With sales expected to be about 200,000 per year, Escape is expected to remain the sales leader in this class. About 27,000 of those will be the hybrid version.

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