Fords Escape is one of the most popular in the United States. Over the past six years, this ubiquitous little soft-roader has found its way into more than a million driveways. Then theres the Escapes green side; it was the worlds first hybrid sport utility vehicle, not to mention the worlds first E85 capable hybrid. Any which way you slice it, thats no small feat for one single vehicle. Such is also the reason why Ford chose this years LA Auto Show to debut a revised version of the Escape for model year 2008.

Now in its second facelit, the new Escape takes on a brand new look that aligns it with some of the brands other SUVs. Though it doesnt have the
Warm up your checkbooks… presenting the new 2008 Escape. (Photo: Ford)
three-bar grille found on many of Fords new products, the Escape still incorporates similarly shaped headlamps and a grille that juts forward. Other modifications to its nose include a metal-look bumper guard up front with the “ESCAPE” logo imprinted on it, while the rear receives a new tailgate design, plus new bumpers.

Chief Designer Doyle Letson says, “We raised the beltline to give the profile a strong, modern proportion of sheetmetal to glass.
Cute styling has been shed for a little more ruggedness. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)
Then we sculpted the surfaces for a more Ford Tough Truck appearance.” Indeed, the Escape looks like a downsized Expedition.

Inside, Ford hopes to give the Escape an even greener image by introducing
Styling more in line with bigger Explorer and Expedition. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)
a new kind of fabric material for 2008. Designed by Interface Fabrics, the cloth seats will be made from 100-percent post-industrial recycled material rather than brand new material. Aside from being another first from Ford, this decision positively affects the environment by saving an estimated 600,000 gallons of water, 7 trillion watt-hours of electricity and an EPA and CAFE-pleasing greenhouse gas reducing 1.8 million lbs of carbon dioxide gas. Hopefully this isnt going to be the only vehicle that Ford applies this technology to.

For those familiar with the current Escapes cabin, the facelift brings a completely different
New console design is so much better than the old model. (Photo: Ford)
view with little remaining from the original, as well as 2004s major update. The new four-spoke steering wheel, console and dashboard featured here were previewed earlier this year with the Mercury Mariner.

Inside, the Escape’s dash has been reworked to include a strip of readouts near the windshield, including temperature and radio functions. Recycled materials are used for all the seating surfaces. And the new audio systems include a standard MP3 jack for personal music players. Ford has swapped out the Escape’s green lighting for a new blue treatment-and it’s swapped the Escape’s small console for a laptop-sized bin between the drive and the front passenger.

Like the similar 2008 Mercury Mariner, the Escape has a revamped range of engines. The 2.3-liter four with 153 horsepower returns, and is teamed with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. A 3.0-liter V-6 option makes 200 horsepower and is mated to a four-speed automatic.

The Escape Hybrid continues with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, battery packs and a continuously variable transmission combining for 155 hp. Improved software helps the Escape Hybrid distribute power more smoothly, Ford says.

Standard Engine:

2.3L I4 , 16 valve, 133 hp @ 6000 rpm, Hybrid – Electric

• VAR speed automatic transmission
• 34 mpg city / 30 mpg hwy
• Green Rating: 76

Standard Features:

• Seat Mounted Front Side Airbags
• Electronic Brake Assistance
• AM/FM Radio With 4 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3 Player