Driving Impressions

The 2008 Ford Escape is truckish as the current crop of small sport utility vehicles go, but not in a bad way. Its ride height and seating position are higher than a lot of unit-body (sedan style) utilities, though lower than many traditional truck-based SUVs. The Escape is quite pleasant to drive. It handles well and has a firm, comfortable ride, without the roly-poly mush quality or the jarring suspension clanks that can characterize conventional truck-based SUVs with tall, off-road tires and long-travel suspensions. Several improvements for 2008, including an electric power steering system and changes in suspension tuning, raise the level of refinement above earlier Escapes. Engines in the new 2008 model are carryover from the previous generation, but all are solid performers. Both the four- and six-cylinder engine deliver good response and decent acceleration. The Escape Hybrid delivers essentially the same performance, with very little to give away its hybrid powertrain except improved mileage. Indeed, all Escape models, from front-wheel-drive four-cylinders to all-wheel-drive V6s to the Hybrid, have some of the best EPA mileage ratings in the class (Be sure to compare mileage ratings according to the same model year. The EPA changed its calculation formula for 2008 to reflect something closer to real-world results, which lowered the ratings for 2008 models). The base 2.3-liter four-cylinder delivers good power at high revs for those who like to wind it up and decent torque for acceleration when you need it at any speed. With a balance shaft to offset vibration, it's also smoother than some of Ford's previous four-cylinder engines. We prefer the 153-hp four-cylinder with the five-speed manual transmission; indeed, a front-drive, manual Escape XLS 2WD might be the most engaging and enjoyable model to drive. At an EPA-estimated 22/28 mpg City/Highway, it has one of the highest EPA mileage ratings of any non-hybrid SUV. With the four-cylinder, maximum towing capacity is 1,500 pounds, sufficient for dirt bikes or a snowmobile. The 3.0-liter V6 engine offers 200 horsepower for stronger acceleration. It has about as much torque as any small SUV is likely to need. It's available only with the four-speed automatic, but its power band is broad. In day-to-day driving, it never lugs, strains or feels as if it's out of breath. And with the optional Class II towing package, the V6 AWD models can pull a substantial 3,500 pounds, which surpasses most vehicles in this class. Neither the four-cylinder nor V6 powertrain is the smoothest in small SUVs, but neither is course enough to seriously detract from Escape's appeal. Our gripe in the driveline is the four-speed automatic, and it's not because some competitors now offer five-speeds. While the Escape automatic shifts smoothly, it sometimes shifts slowly, in that it seems to take its time deciding what gear it wants to be in. In particular, it's very reluctant to shift itself down into first gear, which would provide the most immediate acceleration. When rolling out of a parking lot onto a busy road, for example, the transmission will stay in second gear when you hit the gas, even when first is better for the traffic conditions. That's our biggest complaint about Escape's overall performance, and its importance will depend on how you drive. The Escape handles well, and improvements for 2008 give it a more refined feel. One of those is the electric power-assisted steering system (EPS), which operates with an electric motor rather than a belt turned by the engine. One of the advantages is increased efficiency, because a conventional, belt-driven steering pump takes a bit of the engine's power just to operate. That's power that's not being used to move the vehicle. Another advantage, at least in the Escape's case, is improved steering feel. With the electric steering, there's a nice balance between steering assist at

Final Word

The 2008 Ford Escape remains one of the best vehicles in Ford's lineup, and competitive in a crowded field of small sport-utilities, regardless of price. Yet model for model and feature for feature, Escape prices are very good. Considerable improvements for 2008 add safety features, refinement, comfort and more style. The Escape offers front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, competitive four- or six-cylinder engines and the Hybrid package, which works essentially as the conventional models do. Fuel mileage for all models, and towing capacity, rank with the best. For all-purpose, reasonably efficient daily transport on the road, the Escape rates among the best smaller SUVs. NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent J.P. Vettraino test drove the 2008 Ford Escape in Detroit.