2008 Ford Escape XLT Review
August 25, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 Ford Escape XLT Review & Road Test
Has Escape had one too many facelifts?
Model Tested:
- 2008 Ford ZD Escape XLT 2.3 litre four cylinder automatic – $31,990* (RRP) *Drive away deals now available for $29,990
Options:
- Metallic Paint $310 (Fitted); Removable Roof Racks $450 (Fitted); Cargo Barrier $550; Parking Sensors $600
Drives Well, Good Ride & Handling, Pleasant Interior
Poor Four Speed Auto, Aging Looks, Lack of Torque
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
There’s no escaping the success of Ford’s unassuming mid-sized SUV, after all it’s been around for the best part of a decade. Though I can’t help but wonder if the latest face-lift is one too many, a Joan Collins-esque attempt at clutching on to a youth long since lost.
But as long in the tooth as it may well be, it’s still a decent and relevant car, and from an aesthetic perspective, is probably your last chance to grab a more traditionally styled soft roader from Ford before the funky new-age Kuga arrives late next year.
This fourth iteration of the Escape a Taiwanese built version of Mazda’s now retired Tribute, albeit with a re-modelled nose and tailgate. The idea being to move the appearance in-line with Ford’s kinetic design principles, as seen in (LV) Focus, (MA) Mondeo, and (FG) Falcon for a more instantly recognisable family image.
Inside things are much the same as they’ve always been, somewhat American, practical yet understated, and expectedly comfortable, though the change in backlighting colour (now blue) can make reading the smaller radio and climate buttons a little blurry and hard to distinguish at night.
Also, for no apparent reason, the auxiliary controls of the six stack CD tuner and climate control fascia don’t dim with the instrumentation panel lights giving the whole cabin a disconcerting blue hue on dark country roads.
Trivial issues aside though Escape has a pleasant cabin, simple in its function and very easy to live with, especially for those with kids and/or pets, without being overly agricultural and plastic as some soft-roaders tend to be. It’s also surprisingly quiet for an SUV which makes for a better experience on longer highway trips.
Under the bonnet the popular 2.3-litre, DOHC, in-line four-cylinder engine (Tribute, previous generation Mazda6, Mazda3 SP23, Focus, etc) makes an acceptable 109kW at a heady 6000rpm, though loses a little in the way of torque managing only 199Nm from 4000rpm. Whilst hardly a powerhouse the performance is reasonably tidy and with fuel consumption returns reflecting mid 10.0L/100km, it’s a worthy compromise.
Despite a solid engine, the four-speed transmission feels a little dead and has a habit of stumbling into gear. It’s also slow to react, especially on kick down. A good hard stab to the floor will eventually see the desired result but by then you may have missed a chance to pass, not a desirable trait on the open road. Still, around town it is bearable and with the overdrive switched off Escape can keep pace in fast flowing city traffic.
A part-time 4×4 system with electronic lockable centre differential provides enough traction for light off-road work or a weekend trip to the snow but will only work well within its limitations – meaning don’t expect too much (ground clearance is 208mm).
With a standard recipe strut front/multi-link rear-end suspension set up Escape is compliant, comfortable and easy to maneuver. A turning circle of 10.8 metres and good all round visibility makes it simple to park, as well as swift in responding to the rigors of being thrown around suburban streets and car parks.
Up back an adequate cargo area accessible from a split window and top hinged tail gate assembly provides more than enough room for a small family’s requirements and thanks to 60/40 split fold rear seats can be expanded to an impressive 1792 litres of space. There’s also a nifty net (not shown) included to stop any loose shopping ending up on your toes and a retractable cargo blind to keep you stuff away from prying eyes.
The middle seat belt being roof mounted (as are child seat anchorages) can be a hassle when only two of the seats are in use and packing items around it can be like a game of Tetris, but for the odd occasion it’s actually going to be of bother, is easily worked around.
Joining the feature list are power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, leather covered tilt adjustable steering wheel with remote audio and cruise control buttons, removable roof racks, 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and power antenna.
Perhaps indicative of Escape’s age though there is no auxiliary audio socket for your iPod, no Bluetooth connectivity, no self locking doors, no trip computer, no auto wipers and no dusk sensing headlamps meaning the rivals may have the edge when it comes to ticking boxes.
Escape manages a commendable four-star ANCAP rating and with anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake assist (EBA), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), traction control system (TCS), dual front and side airbags is a good deal for the price – but for the glaring omission of electronic stability program(ESP).
While some buyers may baulk at the prospect of owning more basic, older designed car I think the feel of Escape’s drive and decent looks will retain a few fans for a while to come, and if only it had ESP and a better auto box could have managed a far better overall result. But as it stands the competition is tough out there and sadly Escape is a little behind the game.
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive: 
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 2261cc DOHC four-cylinder (16 valve)
- Power: 109kW @ 6000rpm
- Torque: 199Nm @ 4000rpm
- Transmission: Four-speed auto with overdrive
- Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS, EBA & EBD
- Driven Wheels: Part Time 4×4 & Centre Diff Lock
- Fuel Type: 91RON Unleaded
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 61 litres
- Fuel Consumption: 10.5 litres/100km (Combined)
- ANCAP Rating: Four Stars
- Safety: Front & side airbags, ESP, TCS
- Service Interval: 6 month/10,000km
- Spare Wheel: Full size matching alloy
- Turning Circle: 10.8 metres
- Towing Capacity: 1000kg (Braked)
- Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
- Weight: 1,578kg (Tare)
- Wheels: 16 x 7.0” Alloy
Road Test the Rivals:
- Honda CR-V – $31,990 (RRP)
- Hyundai Tucson – $31,490 (RRP)
- KIA Sportage – $30,990 (RRP)
- Nissan X-Trail – $33,990 (RRP)
- Subaru Forester – $31,990 (RRP)
- Toyota RAV4 – $33,990 (RRP)
- Volkswagen Tiguan – $33,990 (RRP)
Print it: 
Wasn’t there just a facelift only recently? Not my cup of tea in terms of looks, looks very light.
Aside, when’s the Territory getting a makeover?
Is it just me or does the Ford badge on the grill look almost comically oversized (look at the 5th photo)? I notice that Mazda and Peugeot are starting to do this on their new models too. What’s the deal? Will manufacturers in the future have badges so large that they need to make the headlights smaller?
thank god we get this over the Kuga.
hey NM??
waits……
phillip,
yep everyones doing it.
the first one i noticed was actually holden.
have you seen the size of theirs of late????
^It is only on some models though, if you look at the back of a Viva or Captiva, the badges are tiny. I have noticed it with Peugeot, I saw a 207 the other day and thought that badge is massive, I guess they need a big badge because they don’t have a grille there anymore.
Looks good.Interior is a huge improvement.
Escape would have to have the largest interior in this class.
“Also, for no apparent reason, the auxiliary controls of the six stack CD tuner and climate control fascia don’t dim with the instrumentation panel lights giving the whole cabin a disconcerting blue hue on dark country roads.”
And guys this is something you should ram home to car manufacturers. The current Camry/Aurion range also doesn’t extend instrument dimming to the centre console area and at night beyond metro areas the result is honestly downright dangerous.
We’ve tested various methods of covering the console in the Camry (Carpet Mats, Street Directory, Books) and noticed that forward visibility increases alarmingly when the bright instrument light is covered.
With it uncovered and the HVAC and Radio controls pumping out the blue light we have found that High Beam is required just to provide what I class as safe illumination.
Take this issue to the car manufacturers, you could be the ones who make a difference.
Good review on the Escape guys.
About as productive and is trendy looking as a public servant doing overtime (and may I add not getting paid for it as Rudd works you lot too hard).
Is this model the new shebang Mahindra that was touted as being a class leader on looks……………PUK, omg what shyte design! Iam with TP that Ford have this look on front on most cars….unfortunately in this case severely botched up!
Top review MATTY…..Caradvice come out with some quirky sentences mixed with tech stuff about car; and I luv it! Thats whats sets you guys apart is you have to write these stories as if Mr Clarkson wrote it half serious and half debonair with his Pommie larrikan dry humour thrown in!
its a car that will do the job perfectly fine for alot of people, but its not the enthousiasts choice
I think it would be hard to choose this car over the similarly priced Rav 4 4cyl.
199Nm or torque on this thing!?… your not going to escape anything with that lol… Great review, and yeah looks meh…
Which is the real Realcars?, you got two comments contradicting each other?
Gee that badge is huge.
Does anybody else think Ford would benefit from a new badge? That traditional badge carries far too much baggage IMO.
Something strong and bold (ditch the oval)
yeh, i completely agree with MD-88.
i am a learner driver and when i drive my mums car (’07 Camry Sportivo) i find the console alarmingly bright at night. it’s not a good thing.
i like the escape, but i think the design on this model is a bit of a let down. dad works for Ford, and i loved the 3rdGen ‘limited’ models. the sunroof in them was massive! and out of all the esapes that one was my favourite. ive always liked them though.
good cars – and great review guys! =].
oh yeh, and why is there only one varient?
there isnt even a choice in engines or transmissions like the previous one! let alone a model choice (XLS, XLT, XLT Sport, Limited)
quote ” Inside things are much the same as they’ve always been, somewhat American, practical yet understated, and expectedly comfortable, though the change in backlighting colour (now blue) can make reading the smaller radio and climate buttons a little blurry and hard to distinguish at night.”"
Im guessing that backlighting colour would be a little bright especially with your 5.00 am start,hard night before hand Matt? Alborz is right those pics are awesome even though the car is a let down!
Joober,it’s one of the Toyos.
My comment was the earlier one.
Hi guys and gals,
Jaybee, there is only one model now because this is a Mazda designed vehicle and as they have now discontinued the Tribute, Ford has downsized the range to keep costs down. Just like you, I liked the last design(ZC) cause it looked chunkier and more like Territory’s little brother(this facelift happened mid 2006 Azza85). This design looks ungainly, needs nudgebar, sidesteps, lowered and new alloys/chunkier tyres to make it look good…Actually just bring over the Kuga!!!
Looks are a bit ‘middle of the road’ but i would still take this over the fugly flimsy looking rav4 and that rav v6 add has got to be THE MOST annoying ad on tv. As a side note why is it most manufacturers (including prestige euros) charge extra for mettalic paint but mazda dont? Every mazda i see has it, i think it must come standard on all their models.
I believe a more suitable comment on the interior should be “it’s just complete rubbish, enough said”. Then there’s the exterior, which is just annoying to look at. Feel sorry for people who spend their hard earned 30k on this pile of turd. Rav4 all the way baby!
Flogging a Dead horse here Ford !!!!
I own a 2001 Ford Escape XLS V6 and genuinely like the car. I’ve driven the 4-pot version and have found it to be lacking in the power department, especially for towing given that the V6 has a 1.8 tonne towing capacity.
Recently I have been shopping for a replacement car and have been following the development of the Escape in the US hoping Ford Aus would bring in the RHD version. What we get here instead is yet another facelift (an ugly one at that) and a reduction in range (only one version) which has less power and towing capacity than my 2001 model.
Given the move to import the Kuga instead, this is understandable. Kuga though is more in line with most of the other new generation SUVs – all designed without a ruler and looking more like a jacked up hatchback and less a 4×4. I guess that’s the market they’re after.
Too bad Ford, you’ve lost me as a customer!