2008 Ford Escape

The Escape, a startling sales success since its introduction back in 2000 as a 2001 model, has finally come in for a redesign. The unibody, suspension, engines, drive systems, and overall size are the same, but there are some styling changes, and there's a new electric power-steering system.

The raised beltline gives this trucklet a more Explorer-like road presence. The nose is newly blunted. The interior is fully redesigned with more contemporary-looking instrumentation and features what Ford believes to be the first seating surfaces made completely of recycled "post-industrial" materials. Since the Escape was still selling well, it makes sense for Ford to play this first major updating conservatively. It should be on sale this spring.