Ford 2008 Get away is about to turn 15 years old. But this used SUV holds up surprisingly well on modern roads. If you want an efficient and capable used SUV, don’t overlook the 2008 Ford Escape.
The 2008 Ford Escape Has the Right SUV Look
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Ford and Mazda introduced the Escape family of SUVs in 2001. It was similar in styling 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 was much more like a Ford Explorer or Expedition.
One result of the Ford Escape redesign is its excellent passenger space. Edmunds actually gave it 4.2/5 originally, citing its comfortable interior. The high greenhouse also resulted in excellent visibility. KBB cited high ground clearance when giving 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 built the second generation of the Escape from 2008 to 2012. In the used vehicle market, these SUVs are still prized for their Mazda reliability and rugged American good looks. The 2013 Escape returned to a much more complete crossover styling.
The 2008 Ford Escape is Relatively Fuel Efficient
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The base engine for the Ford Escape was a 2.3-liter inline-4. A 4-cylinder FWD version got 20 city/26 highway (22 combined) MPG. The 4WD version didn’t fare as well: 19 city/24 highway MPG (21 combined).
These fuel mileage numbers don’t make the second-generation Ford Escape the most efficient vehicle on the road, but they’re pretty competitive. Compare this to the 20 combined MPG of the V6 2023 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited or the 18 combined MPG of the V6 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The second generation Ford Escape works quite well for a vehicle up to 15 years old.
The 2008 Ford Escape Has Downsides
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If you’re shopping for a second-generation Ford Escape, you’ll want to look for a low-mileage one. You would also be wise to have it checked out by a mechanic before you buy it. This is because the most common problem owners have with the 2008 Ford Escape is automatic transmission failure. This can happen with only 90,000 miles.
A less common problem is an engine misfire that eventually causes serious damage, so definitely look for a check engine light on a used Ford Escape. Ford issued six recalls for the Ford Escape, including one for water pump failure. If you are considering a used Ford Escape, run the VIN to see if these recalls have been addressed.
Vehicle History estimates that you will pay $515 for maintenance on your second generation Ford Escape. But if the transmission fails, resetting it will cost you an average of $3,500.
Check out the most trusted used crossover SUVs below, or check out Kelley Blue Book’s review of the Ford Escape in the video below:
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