2008 Ford Escape SUV (ZD)

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By George Skentzos | April 02nd, 2008

Ford has released details of its new Escape SUV, unveiled today at the Adelaide International Motor Show.

The new range is now comprised of just one highly specified model – the ZD Escape, the equivalent of the previous XLT model Escape.

The ZD Escape sports a 2.3-litre four-cylinder inline petrol engine producing 109kW at 6,000rpm and 199Nm at 4,000rpm, and returns fuel economy of 10.5-litres per 100km.

“There is now a clear-cut discernible difference between what Escape and Territory represent and what they offer our customers. The two models now complement each other in the showroom better than ever before.”

This is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with on-demand AWD (max 50 per cent rear) and push-button lockable full-time AWD.

Key changes include new front fog lamps, headlamps, alloy wheels, grille treatment, bumpers, wheel arch and door cladding, tailgate and rear tail lamps.

Standard safety includes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as well as front seat side/head thorax airbags.

The new-look Escape goes on sale this month with a recommended retail price less than the equivalent ZC 2.3-litre four-cylinder inline XLT model it is replacing – with a recommended retail price of $31,990.

o

WTF is ther a ford in oz that has that fugly 3 bar theme it disgusts me the old model looks way better
http://ozmazdaclub.com David (OMC)

even the last Mazda Tribute looked better….Mazda why did you axe it..
http://. Naughtyius Maximus

Definetly an improvement. But are we now going to see that front end on all cars as is on Falcon, current Fiesta. Bit disappointing old 4sp auto is used! I believe they have a good product range across the board, they just have to market a lot better and update old hack Territory, Falcon wagon is a joke, get the Iosis and Verve here and augers well!
Dlr1

a new interior and and a bit of restyled sheetmatel cant disguise a 7 year old platform. By todays standards 109 kW is also underpowered. And the old 3.0 V6 was too thirsty. Yor money could be better spent elsewhere.
Myke

Shows how desperately Ford AUS need the Kuga.
COBRA

Very nice Ford will be a winner for sure, heaps better than that junk rebadged Captiva, money well spent, interior and exterior looks fantastic…..
o

one word kuga
until then CR-V RAV4 X-trail tiguan outlander and even dualis
realcars

looks like four potter could leave the Tribute at a disadvantage although economy is good given the size and type of vehicle. Captiva looks schmick but the cabin is very cramped compared to the Tribute. Tribute price in xlt with all bells and whistles and a much improved interior by the look is on the money. Should do well unless Toyota starts to discount the RAV6.
Kasparov

I can’t put my finger on it…I don’t know what it is that makes this look sorta old and outdated already…

Maybe it’ll look better in real life.

4-speed Auto? in 2008? :-S
realcars

If Ford applies some FG magic to the Territory they will have another winner. The Territory really is a magic design and so much better than ladder frame SUVs in so many ways.
golfschwein

What makes it look old is that it IS old.
Reckless1

As usual the Ford post is full of “if Ford does this and that it will be on a winner”

Ford numnuts live in a dreamworld, little realising their dreams can be answered now, buy buying a Holden
TP

Realcars enlighten all os uf what makes its ‘magic design’ better than others? Last I checked the Kluger won Drives award for the segment, not the Territory (Waiting to hear the usual response… Wheels rollover bla bla bla)
golfschwein

Territory won WHEELS Car of The Year. Toyota waiting for first COTY. Kluger tripped over its door handles to earn its summary, ‘we cannot recommend it”.

Sad…
TP

When did it win…. when the Kluger wasnt around. I will take Drives test thanks, they dont have going around a gravel bend at 100km/h as a criteria… now thats a real world situation isnt it!
TP has NEVER backed up the 25% diesel claim

Good to see Ford has thought long and hard about designing this NOT. What a cheap interior and no diesel option whith all those lovely torques. Nah get the Euro fighter Kuga in diesel which will sadly cost you $9K more.
golfschwein

It is a real world situation, TP. WHEELS are in Sydney, not Pluto. The Kluger was driven round a real road (ok, not a gazetted one) with real bumps on real gravel on earth in Australia, not a make believe road on a computer programme. I’ve driven cars around gravel bends at 100km/h…did it for 4 years in the country.

And it…fell over. The only car ever to do so. oopsy! No COTY this year.

Sad
azza85

The front looks decentish, but the back looks like it hasn’t been touched. Hurry up with the Kuga.
alec

Territory was Wheels car of teh year in 2004, the Kluger was around Paul, and that model didn’t come close to the territory. There is no denying the Territory as one of the best SUV’s anywhere in the world. Sure the Kluger is good, but as with all toyotas in aus, they usually drop the ball when it comes to performance/handling.
realcars

Granted the Territory may not look as much like an amphibius
craft as the recently updated Kluger but as far as a RWD or TRUE TRUE TRUE AWD it wins on both counts.

The territory cabin is far more spacious and the seven seat option infinitely more practical.

…and I prefer the no nonsense styling(oh think I already mentioned that).

Plus the gruntier Falcon engine i.e doesn’t peak like a two stroke.
Captain Mainwaring

Seems like the last gasp to me.
http://jeep Eyma Teapot

She wont win to many beauty contests with a front end like that. Makes even the Honda CRV look pretty!!!!
Wheelnut

No The Kruger wasn;t around when the Territory won Wjheels COTy. However; I think the point Golfschwein was getting at is the fact that the Territory won the award within the first year of its release.. the Kruger had been out for just over a year now and it didn’t win the COTY even though it was sposed to be a revolution in cross-over vehicles/soft roaders
golfschwein

Territory’s clean styling still cuts it and looks more modern than the Toyota Frumpy Chumpy Klumpy Fall-Over-y. An FG-esque facelift would give it added impetus, I imagine.
Oz.

Sorry, I’ll stick with my ageing look Territorys, thanks.
john

i prefer the kuga…why cant ford oz just drop the escape and bring the kuga down here?
Phillip

Personally, I would disqualify the Kluger just for it’s odd-ball name. Toyota Aus were obviously scraping the bottom of the barrel to pull out the German dictionary, and Hyundai must have been chuckling that they already had rights over the ‘Highlander’ name which ‘die scheisse kluger’ is called everywhere else.
TP has NEVER backed up the 25% diesel claim

Ha Ha Toyota can’t spell. Kluger Kuga. tee hee
Kuga clearly a better product.
http://. Naughtyius Maximus

Kuga was other car on my first post right at start forgot to mention. Shytes all over Escape and the average boring slab like (side on) looking Kluger!
TP

Golf should I glorify that with a response, 100km/h around a gravel bend is a practical test? PULL YOUR HEAD IN.

Alex the current Kluger won Drives award for the segment… the current Kluger is top of the sales charts for the segment. I dont care about an old model, the current model is the best yet and has it all over the Terriroty. You mention performance, then Id suggest you do abit more research, the Kluger wins. Handling? Havent really heard anything saying the Kluger is better or worse. The icing on the cake, a friends of mines family who are strongly Holden fans recently bought a vehicle. Guess what it was? A Kluger. Nothing but praise for it. It is the market leader right now, simple as that.
Andrew M

TP,
and how long did it take the kluger to catch the territory in sales?
and how long did it take it to win an award?
the territory was a sales hit and cleaned up in the awards department pretty much on debut.
if you question the praise for the territorys handling then you are a sad uneducated individual

on topic,
yep definately time to ditch the mazda donor car. the kuga is well overdue
golfschwein

We know you’ve never driven around a bend at 100km/h and never will. Ask people in the country if their roads are straight, TP.

And don’t do it in a Kluger under any circumstances. Your statement that you haven’t hears that Kluger handling is better or worse is laughable. Have you heard that WHEELS tested one in their COTY testing (which it didn’t win…sad) and Editor Bulmer drove it around a gravel bend like they did all the other cars and the ESP didn’t act in time and it went over like a lead-winged Cessna?

No? Well you have now.

What a car to recommend to families. So WHEELS don’t.
Kasparov

Isn’t the territory a Falcon with higher clearance?

And doens’t it have a V6, like the Kluger?

And doens’t the Escape have a 4 Cyl, thus making it in a different segment to the Kluger/Territory?

Didn’t Mazda stop selling the Tribute a while back? How come Ford is still selling the Escape!?!?!
http://ozmazdaclub.com David OMC

Mazda dropped the Tribute in the last quarter of 07 and its day a few years back it was a great seller but the competittion got better. The Tribute/Escape was more Ford than Mazda but with the CX7 selling this killed the rugged little SUV as would you bush bash a CX7….

Mazda/Ford will more than likely bring out a new small SUV in the next year or so..
TP

Look I dont need to continue… the Kluger is the current sales leader. People are doing the talking with their wallets, they dont listen to idiots like yourselves, they test drive them all… and buy the Kluger. They are the ones spending the big bucks, they are the ones who buy the best vehicle available. Clearly thats the Kluger.
jaycar

Ford needs to stop searching around their parts bin “updating” the current sheetmetal of their vehicles. They have the KUGA with style, saftey and economy and new DNA – stop mucking about and just bring that here. Consumers are not stupid. We see through a chrome grill and color coded bumpers. A new Territiory is well over due. Keep the elements and improve on it. Thats why TOYOTA is the number 1. Evolution….something new to them i guess..
http://Citroen Boggy

No way would i put my family in a car that rolls @ 100 kmh on a gravel road …. lived in Narrabri and drove on dirt roads at sometimes very silly speeds for over 20 years and yes over 100 round bends, never rolled anything. Who else saw Today Tonight about a month ago roll testing SUV’s in the US ??? Buy the Volvo XC90 nothing safer or stronger.Watch it on you tube you will also be convinced
TP

I think ANY SUV will roll if you act incorrectly, as Wheels did. Might I add Ford was under attack for the poor rolling capabilities of their vehicles in the U.S.
COBRA

Klugers rolling off the road OMG, I will stick to buying a Ford Teritory thanks, looks much better any way and goes better…….
Andrew M

Kasparov,
the territory has different suspension to the falcon. the falcon will now gain the superb front suspension from the territory.
the territory also has the same range of I6 6cyl donks as the falcon range and not a V6.

the territory was basically a clean sheet design where the designers put a hell of a lot of thought into designing it. they came up with a large range of acessories for it, and that was only out done by the amount of storage compartments they designed into it.
do you remember the ads where they promote the many storage compartments?
James A

I know this much, go into a Toyota dealship and order a 2WD/FWD Kluger – you’ll be waiting around 2-3 months.

Walk into a Ford dealership and order a Territory, and you’ll get it in a few weeks (if not a few days).

…and thats got nothing to do with the Kluger coming from Japan, it just represents how popular the Kluger has become, and it looks as though Australians have accepted it well. Toyota said they would beat Ford’s Territory, and they did it in 4-5 months. Enough said.

The Territory is just a raised Falcon stationwagon, with an Iron-block engine that hasn’t had its shape updated for 5-6 years.

As for the Escape, its had its days – time to dump that Dinosaur. Maybe the Kuga can be introduced and work as a viable competitor to the Rav4/Dualis/X-Trail/ Honda CRV.
Andrew M

TP,
how are families meant to test the safety features during a test drive?

the airbags and ESP etc are the features that you hope to never have to use.
when you are in trouble you would like to think it would save you.
if they are going to program it for 60kmh on a dry black road then it is useless.
dont take it so much to heart because all that this critisism will do is persuade the toyota engineers to program it a bit better.
dont forget its competitors did the same test at the same speed
Wheelnut

I wouldn’t say that what Wheels did was incorrect.

sure they drove the Kluger around a corner at a relatively high speed on a road which changed from tarmac to gravel.

Yet as the car is available with 4WD or AWD you would think that the designers would have realised that some would actually be driven off road and therefore set the cars suspension up to be versatile enough to handle such conditions

Plus when city slickers venture out of the burbs into the country some of them tend to go nuts; drive at excessive speeds and would probably attempt a similar manouvre.

Then given that there are other AWD cars [like the Territory or the Outback] which can handle such a corner – people are entitled to think “whats wrong with the Kluger; why did it roll?”
Phillip

I think that Ford Aus are planning to bring the Kuga to Australia, but as far as I am aware it is not production-ready yet. So, it may not reach our shores until 2009 at which point the Escape will hopefully… er, escape.

An updated Territory is on the cards, but Ford Aus can’t justify giving it a huge overhaul until the new imported engine arrives for it and the Falcon.
No Name

Philip – it is production ready, launching May/June in the UK. Auto express have clear photos of one parked 7 miles from Ford HQ in the UK in black gleaming paintwork. Watch this space.
scud54

My Ford Escape has just the BRIDLE track to HILL END with no worries,yes the 4 cylinder is underpowered compared to a V6 but this is the 1st new vehicle ive owned that has been totally faultless in the 12 months ive owned it.Does everything ive asked of it and if i want performance i go for a ride on my fast motorbikes.I wish FORD AUSTRALIA would bring in the AMERICAN HYBRID version
of the Escape.Not everyone needs or wants a Landcruiser.The sooner governments get there act together
and do something about the road congestion in Australia the better.I say bring on a CONGESTION TAX and unmarked SPEED CAMERAS.
TP

James A has summed it up… along with the sales figures released… I highly doubt Australian consumers are that ignornat as people here, they buy the best, and the Kluger is currently a huge hit. Its a breath of fresh air in the market really, the Territory is bland, outdated chassis and lacks features for its price.
golfschwein

It’s time to concede Klugga is a top seller.

I suppose a new generation of the same style-challenged people as the ones who unquestioningly handed over wads of cash to buy a Fat Boy Camry wagon all those years ago with its bloated twin-wiper arse are doing it this time with the Klugga.

Any concerns they may express of the Klugga’s propensity to tip over like my friend Jacqueline, assuming they’ve heard the reports at all, are likely to be warmly dismissed by the salesman assuring them that the car passes ISO tests and that Toyota tested the WHEELS car to find nothing wrong. And Maam, OF COURSE I’ll throw in window tint with the nudge bar.

Of COURSE he’ll throw in window tint with the nudge bar. I’ve seen that on a related blog on this site, with mention of the roll-over on posts either side. It’s all most people care about at the end of the day, together with the fact it’s new. They heard that somewhere too.
TP

Golf you are one of the more ignorant posters here. As I said earlier a friends family with a strong Holden background bought a Kluger, very happy with it, and they knew about the Wheels issue. The problem with your assumptions is they are based on people being as ignorant as yourself, but people dont go out and spend $40k willy nilly, they check the competition, they make a choice… the choice is Toyota on most occasions it would seem.
PoisonEagle

You are like the John Laws (cash for comments) of car blogs. Except I dont think theres any cash involved, and certainly no brain cells. It’s very comforting to know people like you exist.
PoisonEagle

It’s time you accepted some people actually enjoy driving, and therefore Toyota is very low on the shopping list.
TP

If Toyota is low on the list, then Ford and Holden must be even lower… because in segments such as large car (Aurion), SUV (Kluger), People Mover (Tarago), Utes (TRD Hilux) and overseas based Small Car (Blade) Toyotas are the top performers in their classes. But I dont expect you to realise this, you just continue watching your V8 Supercars and going to bed at night in your Ferrari bed with FPV covers.
PoisonEagle

As I mentioend in the other article I have a 98 Supra. Gorgeous car (in stark contrast to any toyota sold here). Top performers in terms of what? The vast majority of the motoring public don’t give a shit about cars so they buy Toyotas. Anybody trying to argue toyotas are enjoyable and fun to drive ( which is arguably what most enthusiasts care about) is having a laugh. Stop trying to suck them off it really is disgusting. Get a life.
peterd

TP

this is from your beloved Drive.com

The TRD Aurion is a good first effort but, for now, the Holden and Ford performance-car heartland is safe. And Mazda and Subaru don’t have much to worry about either.
TP

Poison continue living in your fairy world, we aernt all street racers, I like my cars but I want something practical at the same time… just like the majority of other people. Toyota provide the bets vehicles, Aurion . Commodore/Falcon, Tarago > ???, Kluger > Territory/Captiva, Corolla > Focus/Barina… list goes on.

Peterd I dont think I ever mentioned TRD is better then FPV or HSV… its a different market.
PoisonEagle

You dont have to be a street racer to appreciate quality chassis engineering.
PoisonEagle

And Mazda and Subaru don’t have much to worry about either.
golfschwein

Dropping 40 large on anything ugly IS willy nilly. Knowing that they tip over and still going ahead with the purchase is also willy nilly.
Andrew M

cool,
so the barina competes with the focus and corolla now does it TP?
ever heard of an Astra?????

toyota has been marketed to a point where it has become the default choice for a vehicle.
if they are the best available hence why they are selling in big numbers, then tell us how come the 2 biggest toyota sellers in the corolla and Hilux dont win a desk full of awards?
the BT50/ranger beat the hilux in the reviews (navara beat it too)
and count the line up for the many smalll cars that rate over the corolla in the reviews

their 2 biggest sellers arent the class leaders in terms of the vehicles offerengs FACT!!!!
they only lead the class in sales
Wheelnut

Correct TP the TuRD Aurion is in a different market to the HSV Clubbie or the FPV GT.as is the TuRD Hi-Lux compared to the Maloo and The Pursuit

However The fact remains the just as HSV is Holdens performance car division and FPV is Fords performance cr division – both of which have a race relations [that is a link to motorsport]
TRD is Toyotas performance car division which also has race relations

Not only that But just as HSV and FPV take the basic Holden or Ford sedan and dramatically enhance the cars performance and handling etc.. So to does TRD [or at least that's what Toyota would like us to believe]
Therefore; people are going to make comparisons between TRD HSV and FPV – Just as they do with M and AMG.
realcars

TP is an ignorant Toyota Luvin Fairy?
realcars

Perhaps they should make the roof a bit rounder so it ends up on it’s wheels again?

TP is a fairy boy!
Andrew M

now there is some positive thinking!!!! good to see
TP

AndrewM your another THICK individual. Again like the others you make this assumption that people are as ignorant as yourself and don’t test other vehicles. When people spend $20k or more, they don’t go straight to the Toyota dealership and buy on that day. You might get a very small minority doing that, but majority test all vehicles and then make a choice. You have no understanding of marketing, that gets customers into the door, it doesn’t necssarily make the sale, the product has to do that at the end of the day.

Wheelnut what do HSV and FPV to to the regular Falcons? Decrease already ordinary reliability by adding power. Not upgrading crucial areas such as brakes. They aint angels, they dont exactly have a good reputation, just known for straight line performance.

Realcars you are the ignorant individual, in one post you mention how poorly a Toyota is in terms of performance but then you praise the Falcon… which as per WASP at the very best is only slightly better then a V6 Camry Aurion! Its prity pathetic that vehicle designed originally (back in AU) from the ground up for one purpose which includes handling dynamics cant beat a car that’s slapped together by Toyota from as you fairies say an outdated suspension set up and chassis.
Andrew M

TP,
yet another biased uneducated individual.

do you honestly think a HSV/FPV is a falcon with a rear wing tacked on?

ha ha ha and the FPV’s dont get the well recognised stopping power of Brembos either do they? gee you are really re writing the here mate.
hypothetically speaking even if the FPV did still carry the base model XT’s brakes, it would still pull up quicker than an aurion just as it did in the WASP test.

when the Aurion hit the slalom test which determines dynamics THE AURION WAS A BACK MARKER GET IT???
and the 6yr old falcon still beat it FACT!!! how is that pathetic???

i know plenty of people who have walked into the toyota dealership and walked out with new Hilux’s with out checking the oposition.
now one of them has recently just traded it on a TDi Rodeo.
WHY????
because he actually looked around and came up with the best deal
TP

AndrewM yes I know FPV and HSV go beyond that… but even with ‘Brembos’ they cant pull up 1800kg efficiently. Even with engine strengthening they still aint reliable. They are just good for straight line for 50,000kms… then they break down… and around corners, 1800kg isn’t good for much.

As for Aurion the difference was small… and you know this little thing called sports suspension and wider tyres? Or are you going to tell me as well that has no effect on handling LOL! The simple fact is, black and white, a base model Aurion nearly toppled a XR6 Falcon. In real world it only gets better for Aurion, as per Drive the Falcon is uneasy over uneven surfaces (ie publics roads), so the track suits the Falcon! What Im trying to saying is, sell your Falcon and buy a decent car… an Aurion. A tarted up Camry which can match the built from ground up Falcon. American engineering will never match Japanese. The Falcon v Aurion is a great example of this.
Andrew M

ok so 1800kgs isnt good for cornering but 241kw through the front wheels is?

ok TP ill take your advice and sell my falcon ute and buy a FWD Aurion ute pfffffft!!!!!!!

in real world the falcon only gets better as it has a host of new goodies coming on line next month.

dont take it out on the falcon that toyota rip you off by providing cheap skinny tyres.
TP

Mate your kidding yourself if you think FWD has that much of an effect in handling that a car weighing 200kg more will handle as well. How did the BASE MODEL Aurion go against the XR6 Falcon around a track in wheels test? Aurion won! Here is another little fact, go over to Wakefield Park track records, you see under Production Car records that a measily FWD V6 Camry is only 1 second slower around a track then a RWD SS Commodore! Ive posted an article RE FWD v RWD before, with two identical vehicles being tested, your clearly showing your ignorance again on this issue. I think if the BASE MODEL Aurion can beat a XR6, even against a more powerful Falcon the TRD this time with sports suspesion, significantly wider tyres AND in addition structural changes will easily match or exceed a 1800kg monster. Mind you getting into position to corner well also requires good braking on the lead up, something FPV/HSV don’t do well. Id also like to note RE TRD that its better to have less powerful vehicle for 300,000kms then a better one for 100,000kms, because that’s the case with FPV/HSV, renowned for their lack of durability and reliability, in my books performance is more then just quoting flywheel figures but a combination of these things!
Duck

WHAT AN UGLY PIECE OF CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FORD U.S.A NEED BIG HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THERE GOING DOWN HILL QUICKLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!………..Ok…..ive calmed down now, but the current mazda tribute looks tonnes bettter than THIS PIECE OF #@*!
golfschwein

From TP- “Realcars you are the ignorant individual, in one post you mention how poorly a Toyota is in terms of performance but then you praise the Falcon… which as per WASP at the very best is only slightly better then a V6 Camry Aurion!”

And then, a short while later, also from Toyota Phool – “How did the BASE MODEL Aurion go against the XR6 Falcon around a track in wheels test? Aurion won!”

Mate, you’re wasting your time on here. With devastating logic skills like these, you need to get back onto your University’s debating team asap!

Aurion didn’t win WASP. Didn’t even beat Falcon. Sad…
Andrew M

TP,
doesnt the standard falcon brake package out brake the aurions by like 1m?
and thats before they put the well recognised Brembos performance package on them

less power for longer lasting????
well in a way thats true, but when a typhoon is pumping it from 4.0L versus 3.5L in the TRD, I’d dare say the TRD would be a little more stressed. also the HSV’s/FPV’s dont have to rev like a mother F*cker to hit their power/torque
Dave

I am looking at buying a 2008 Ford Escape but I need some good and bad advice about the car. I need it to travel around Australia so a little bit of off-road capabilities will be needed. If anyone has some fair advice it’s needed. Thanks
Duck

Well Dave dont by the L4 for off roading because its gutless. By the V6 instead. But why buy this car? Just look at it! Go buy a Nissan X-Trail or something.
Ken

I was hoping Ford would bring a RHD version of their 2008 Escape along with the Hybrid model given the new “green” fad.

Saw the new Oz model today.

Sorry Ford Oz, it’s a step in the WRONG direction! Think I’ll be buying a Subaru Forrester.
SUVGuy

WHAT The!!! Duh!

It is 2008? Right… Sad really sad….