2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid is now in its fourth year of production with the 2008 model. The vehicle was Ford's first venture in the area of hybrid vehicles. It is an SUV and promises a 50 percent fuel usage improvement when the vehicle is driven in a city. The vehicles is known for its excellent handling although the hybrid does occasionally suffer from a weaker engine when driving up hill.

Introducing the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

The 2008 Ford Escape is Ford's hybrid SUV. The vehicle uses a 2.3-liter Duratic four-cylinder combined with an 133-hp gasoline engine that uses something called the Atkinson-cycle combustion process that reportedly greatly improves the fuel efficiency. The Escape Hybrid seats five comfortably. The vehicle can run on either the gas-powered engine, the battery-powered engine or even a combination of the two. When the vehicle is stopped at a red light, the gas engine shuts off and the vehicle runs on battery power alone.

What's new in 2008?

The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid has changed little from 2007. The car company has merely reshuffled some of the options that have always been available for the vehicle since its introduction. It also adds a few new exterior colors for 2008. For example, a navigation system has been added as an option on the two trims that are available for this vehicle. It is also available in a four-wheel drive version.

Price Range and Gas Mileage

The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid is priced between $25,655 and $27,260.

The Ford Escape Hybrid gets extended gas mileage. It can get between 33 -- 36 miles to the gallon when driving in the city. While driving on the highway Ford Escape Hybrid the vehicle gets between 29 -- 31 miles to the gallon.

The Engines Available.

The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid comes with an engine that combines gas and battery power. The engine is a 133-hp, 2.3-liter I-4 engine.

Vehicle Dimensions

The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid has an overall maximum cargo volume of 65.5 cubic feet. The exterior length is 174.9 inches. The exterior width is 70.1 inches. The exterior height of the Ford Escape Hybrid is 70.4 inches. The interior cargo volume is 27.6 cubic feet. The interior cargo volume with seats folded is 65.5 cubic feet. The passenger volume is 99 cubic feet.

Options and Accessories

Suspension and Drive Train Convenience Features Entertainment Features Safety Features
Front strut suspension 4 doors AM/FM/Satellite-capable, clock, seek-scan Front anti-roll bar
Coil front and rear springs Dual power remote mirrors 6-disc in-dash mounted CD Rear anti-roll bar
Gas-pressurized fron and rear shocks Dual visor vanity mirrors MP3 capabilities 4 wheel disc brakes
Multi-link rear suspension Day-night rearview mirror 4 speakers Front vented disc brakes
Rack & Pinion steering Seating capacity for 5 Fixed antenna Side impact bars
16.0 inch silver alloy wheels 8-way (6-way power) driver seat SecuriLock ignition disable
P235/70TR16.0BSW AS tires 4-way front passenger seat Panic alarm
Rear 60-40 split-bench seats Security system
Manual air conditioning Adjustable front and rear head restraints
Underseat ducts Driver and passenger airbags
Cruise control w/ steering-wheel mounted controls 4-wheel anti-lock brakes
Power w/ 2-stage unlock door locks
Remote keyless entry
1 12V DC power outlet
Retained accessory power
Compass
Systems monitor
Power front and rear windows

Models and Trims

The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid is a fuel-efficient SUV. It comes in two trims. They are:

4dr Front-wheel Drive Base: MSRP: $25,655

Suspension and Drive Train Convenience Features Entertainment Features Safety Features
Independent front-strust suspension w/ anti-roll bar 4 doors AM/FM/Satellite-capable w/ seek-scan and 6-disc in-dash CD player Aero-composite halogen headlamps
Independent rear multi-link suspension w/ anti-roll bar Power remote folding side-view door mirrors AM/FM/Satellite-capable w/ seek-scan and single in-dash CD player (optional) Delay-off aero-composite halogen headlamps (optional)
Electric power-assist rack-pinion steering Power remote heated folding side-view door mirrors Underseat 6-disc remote CD (optional) Front fog lights
Roof rack MP3 capability Rear parking sensors (optional)
1st row power sliding and tilting glass sunroof (optional) Radio data system Four wheel ABS brakes
Sunshade (optional) Digital signal processor (optional) 4 ABS channels
Illumnated driver and passenger-side visor mirrors (optional) Speed-sensitive volume (optional) Brake assist
Navigation system (optional) 4 speakers Driver and passenger front impact airbags
Mini overhead console w/ storage (optional) 7 speakers (optional) Seat-mounted driver and passenger side-impact airbags (optional)
1 AC power outlet (optional) 1 1st row LCD monitor (optional) Safety Canopy System curtain 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags (optional)
Front bucket seats Front passenger airbag occupancy sensor
Driver and passenger heated-cushions (optional)
Driver and passenger heated-seatbacks (optional)
Power height-adjustable driver seat
Power driver fore/aft adjustment
Power driver cushion tilt
Manual passenger fore/aft adjustment

4dr 4X4 Base: MSRP: $27,260

Suspension and Drive Train Convenience Features Entertainment Features Safety Features
Automatic full-time four-wheel drive Same as above Same as above Same as above

Similar Models

The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid is similar in nature to other SUVs such as:

  • Suzuki XL7
  • Subaru Forester
  • Toyota RAV4
  • Honda CR-V
  • Chrysler PT Cruiser
  • Chevrolet Equinox
  • Mercury Mariner
  • Pontiac Torrent

Sources

The data about the Ford Escape Hybrid was gathered from a number of different websites that provide details about various vehicles. Those websites include: Cars.com, www.cars.com, , Yahoo Autos, autos.yahoo..com, Edmunds, www.edmunds.com, and Consumer Guide Auto at consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com.

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