Test Drive: 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD

Along with its new exterior styling, a redesigned interior, and a new lower base price, the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid offers slightly improved fuel consumption over the 2007 Hybrid model, according to official fuel consumption figures supplied by Ford of Canada. As well, new software upgrades to the electronic controller have made the transition between electric and gasoline engine operation much smoother than in the previous Hybrid.

Like the other 2008 Escape models, the 2008 Hybrid has new exterior styling that looks similar to its larger SUV stablemates, the Explorer and Expedition: a higher hood, larger headlamps, bigger chrome grille, a higher belt-line, and squarer taillights give it a chunkier appearance. Thankfully, Ford has done away with the cheap-looking lower plastic body cladding and replaced it with body-coloured bumpers and subtle side cladding. However, the optional chrome front bumper insert, like the one on my test vehicle, looks a bit flashy to my eyes.

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