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The 2008 Ford Escape is about to turn 15 years old. But this used SUV does surprisingly well on modern roads. If you want a great and capable used SUV, look no further than the 2008 Ford Escape.
The 2008 Ford Escape has proper SUV looks
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Ford and Mazda introduced the Escape family of SUVs in 2001. It had styling similar to the Honda CR-V of the time. Then in 2008, Ford redesigned the Escape. The redesign featured a large, flat grille and larger headlights. The second generation Escape looks more like a Ford Explorer or Expedition.
One result of the redesign of the Ford Escape is the excellent passenger room. Edmunds actually gave it a 4.2/5 originally, citing its comfortable interior. The tall greenhouse also resulted in excellent visibility. KBB cited the high ground clearance when it gave this year’s Ford Escape a 4.4/5. The SUV also earned four out of five stars in government crash test ratings–according to VehicleHistory.com.
Ford produced the second generation Escape from 2008 to 2012. In the used market, these SUVs are still prized for their Mazda engineering and rugged American looks. In 2013, the third-generation Escape returned to a more rounded crossover style.
The 2008 Ford Escape is pretty fuel efficient
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The Ford Escape’s base engine is a 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder. A FWD version with the 4-cylinder gets 20 city/26 highway MPG (22 combined) from the EPA. The 4WD version didn’t do quite as well: 19 city/24 highway MPG (21 combined).
These fuel mileage numbers don’t make the second-generation Ford Escape the most efficient car on the road, but they’re pretty competitive. Compare this to the combined 20 MPG of the V6 2023 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited or the combined 18 MPG of the V6 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The second generation Ford Escape works well for a vehicle up to 15 years old.
The 2008 Ford Escape has its downsides
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If you’re shopping for a second-generation Ford Escape, you’ll want to look for low mileage. You’d also be wise to have a mechanic check it out before you buy. This is because the most common issue owners have with the 2008 Ford Escape is automatic transmission failure. This can happen at only 90,000 miles.
A less common issue is an engine misfire that ultimately causes serious damage, so be sure to look for a check engine light on a used Ford Escape. Ford has issued six recalls for the Ford Escape, including one for water pump failures. If you’re considering a used Ford Escape, run the VIN to see if these recalls are covered.
Car History estimates that you’ll pay $515 per year to maintain your second-generation Ford Escape. But if the transmission fails, replacing it will cost you $3,500 on average.
Next, check out the most reliable used American crossover SUV or watch Kelley Blue Book’s review of the Ford Escape in the video below:
RELATED: The 3 Best Used Crossover SUVs under $20k—According to MotorTrend
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