I am not starting a rumor, just read one...

2008 will be the last year for the Escape because Ford figures that the Edge will take its place...


I think this is just a rumor, why would Ford spend all that cash to revamp the Escape for just one model year?

 

I don't know - I hope the rumor is false. But, since it shares a platform with several other vehicles, it does kinda make sense from a strictly financial aspect. I don't know that I would take one an Edge over an Escape but the crossover vehicle seems to be the fad these days.

My guess is they will see how the 2007 and 2008 model year numbers are and plan accordingly. If the new style '08 Escape is popular (and profitable), I can't imagine they would discontinue it. But, who knows where Ford will be in a year or two.

 

I would guess an 8 or 9 year run for a not-too-efficient vehicle is within the normal lifetime of automobiles.
Wouldn't be suprised.

 

Hopefully it won't be replaced by an even less efficient vehicle. Look what they have done with (to) the Explorer or the Ranger. They used to be pretty fuel efficient until they started with the 4.0 SOHC engines. The V6 Escape is so overpowered and therefore a gas pig. That was the only thing I disliked about the 2004 I had.

If Ford does discontinue the Escape, I hope they transfer the hybrid program to another platform. To me, the hybrid system is the only reason I am still driving an SUV. I get better mpg in the hybrid Escape (by 7-10 mpg) than I did even in my '01 Focus.

 

I would be very surprised if Ford dropped the Escape. The Edge is significantly larger, heavier and doesn't offer a 4-cylinder engine. The Escape is also marketed more as an SUV than as a CUV. That's not to say Ford's lineup isn't getting a bit crowded. Where does the Freestyle fit in? It seats 7 but otherwise wouldn't the Edge make more sense? And where will the new Fairlane fit in? If Ford were to drop the Escape they would have to have a 4-cylinder CUV to replace it. I don't think they could suffer the hit to their CAFE numbers.

Personally, I would like to see Ford continue to invest in the Escape with the addition of the six speed auto.

 

The Escape is all new for 2008, no secret just browse arounf ford.com

 

All new except that the drivetrains carry over and its still built off of the Mazda 626 derived platform. More of a thorough restyling with a new interior.

 

The only thing new is the exterior and interior styling. Everything else is exactly the same as previous year Escapes.

The only way they could of made the Escape better was get rid of the gas guzzling 3.0 V6 engine. My wife's Nissan Altima 4 cylinder engine has nearly the same HP rating as the Escape's V6 and averages 27 mpg city/highway.

The 3.0 V6 Escape's engine produces only 25 more horsepower than the Nissan's I4 and only 16 more ft.lbs. of torque. It's all in the design of the engine..

Plus the CD4E trans should of went to the junk yard also, a new 5 or 6 speed auto trans would help the vehicle get better gas mileage.

 

Ford would be hurting to replace the Escape with the Edge, they won't sell nearly as much Edges as they do Escapes, the Edge is priced much higher, as much as I wanted an Edge it was too pricey for me and the engine was even larger.

I don't have any issues with fuel economy on the three litre, my Fusion's 3.0 L engine gets awesome fuel economy, my Escape's 3.0 is a bit worse but nothing overly poor at all.

 

Quote "The V6 Escape is so overpowered and therefore a gas pig."

I don't think that is a fair way to put it. The V6 is just about the RIGHT amount of power for these vehicles, it just needs to make that power with 5 more MPG's.

That would solve everything.

 

I guess I should have qualified my statement with "in my opinion". Maybe I will add that to my signature so there is no confusion.

I had an '04 with the V6 and rarely if ever took it anywhere close to where it developed the peak horsepower/torque. Most times it would be shifting at 2500-3000 RPM so for me, it was overpowered. Of course I wasn't hauling a trailer or 4 passengers or racing anyone at red lights so I didn't need the kind of power that was available. And, I got crappy mileage anyway. I can't imagine how I would have done had I been booting it all the time.

I compare the horsepower in the V6 Escape to what I had in several other vehicles I had over the years - an '86 Ranger S (2.0 L, 25 hp ), an '87 extended cab Ranger (2.9 L, 140 hp), a '94 ext. cab Ranger (4.0 L, 160 hp), a '99 Explorer Sport (4.0 SOHC, 210 hp). With the exception of the Explorer, I got better mileage in any of them. And excluding the '86, all of them had plenty of power. I think the '94 Ranger was about the best combination for me. It had plenty of power, got decent mileage and was fun to drive. Like every other car maker, Ford for some reason has made the newer models dragsters.

So, I had power I didn't need and got lousy mileage so I think my original statement is valid with the caveat that it is only my opinion. Your mileage may vary....

 

motor wise the edge has a 3.5 liter pressure cast full alloy block and head. 4 valve dohc motor.which puts out 250 hp and 240 torque. i don't remember the correct rpm stated but i think it was 6.700 a 1.000 over the 4.0 sohc and it's 210 hp/240 torque.

this Lima Ohio built 3.5 l motor is now rummered in several magizines to be replaceing the 4.0 sohc which is in it's last year of production for the ranger and mustang v6 models.

 

Quote "So, I had power I didn't need and got lousy mileage so I think my original statement is valid with the caveat that it is only my opinion. Your mileage may vary.... "

Its a 5 passenger vehicle, designed to haul 5 passengers and gear, that takes power. Add a 2800 pound bass boat (still well within design parameters of these vehicles) and now MORE power is needed.

Any of your previous vehicles haul 5 passengers with gear (except the Sport, and you disqualifiy that one)?

 

Any idea when the 2008 Escape will be out, what month? Understand the seats are better & less wind noise?

 

Not trying to argue with ya' sir, but I did correct my original post to state that it was my opinion. But since you asked, my '87 and '94 Rangers were both extra cabs and I could haul quite a bit of personnel and gear, pull a trailer, have well over the rated capacity in the bed and still have plenty of power. The '04 Escape that I had would not carry a yard of loam or pull anywhere near the size trailer I pulled with my Ranger, yet it has much more horsepower than either of those had. And lower mileage. And if I had to guess, the '04 Escape weighs less than the '99 Explorer and yet I didn't see much (if any) fuel mileage improvement going from the Explorer to the Escape. I can't wait to see what a 250 hp Escape will get for mileage.

By the way, other than transmissions crapping out early, I would guess that most of the complaints people have about the Escape is the fuel efficiency. That was the only thing I didn't like about my '04.

Like I said, not trying to argue or convince you of anything you don't believe but I still think the V6 Escape has too much engine for a vehicle of it's size which I believe contributes to the lousy mileage for a vehicle of it's size.

JMO of course.