The Escape was, for years, the most popular crossover SUV in America. The redesign for the 2008 model year might help it recapture that crown, but the crossover segment has gotten much more crowded in the meantime.
The new Escape even faces competition from Ford's own Edge, also a small, two-row crossover SUV. But the two vehicles are aimed at very different buyers, Ford says.
The Escape is clearly more truck-ish in its appearance. Its design deliberately mimics the company's truck-based SUVs, the Explorer and Expedition. This time around, the Escape's lines and folds are sharper than on the previous version.
Inside, the Escape's seats are covered in fabric made from 100-percent recycled materials. The dashboard will glow in "ice blue" light.
The new Escape will be powered by a standard 153-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine or an optional 200-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6. A gas/electric hybrid version will also be available.
2008 Ford Escape
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