Introduction

Ford Escape – 2008 Review: Compact crossovers are a little like hamburgers. Using the same basic ingredients, different manufacturers manage to make their burgers unique. The original 2000 Escape lead the field with a V-6 engine, car-like ride and huge cargo space. But the competition caught up and passed the Escape, making Ford’s updates for 2008 little more than fresh pickles and an extra helping of special sauce on the same stale patty and bun. These days the Escape is eclipsed almost universally by its competitors in terms of style, performance, quality and capability, offering a more satisfying meal for your dollar than this warmed-over Ford.

What We Drove
Our black-on-black-on-black Escape weighed in at $30,910, including the $665 destination charge. Granted, that included $4,015 worth of options over the $25,330 base price, but even if you factor in the eventual barrage of Ford incentives, there are better buys. On paper we admit it sounds good: a $2,395 navigation/audiophile audio system, 17-inch chrome wheels for $695, a luxury package costing $795, and the Limited’s V-6 engine and all-wheel drive. However, the Escape is unfortunately less than the sum of its parts.

Performance
A V-6 engine with 200 horsepower should be able to move a small crossover with ease. But this 3.0-liter V-6 struggles against the Escape’s 3,522 pounds, and acceleration from a dead stop in first gear is especially sluggish. Once moving, it isn’t bad, and passing power is adequate. The transmission’s oddly-selected cogs are the culprit, sacrificing acceleration for fuel economy, and the 18.2 mpg isn’t much of a payoff. The transmission shifts roughly at times, and if you select gears manually you can time the changes with a sundial.