2008 Ford Escape SUV (ZD)
April 2, 2008 by George Skentzos
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.
Print it: 
It’s time you accepted some people actually enjoy driving, and therefore Toyota is very low on the shopping list.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You dont have to be a street racer to appreciate quality chassis engineering.
And Mazda and Subaru don’t have much to worry about either.
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.
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
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.
TP is an ignorant Toyota Luvin Fairy?
Perhaps they should make the roof a bit rounder so it ends up on it’s wheels again?
TP is a fairy boy!
now there is some positive thinking!!!! good to see
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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 #@*!
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… :(
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
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
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.
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.
WHAT The!!! Duh! :-(
It is 2008? Right… Sad really sad….