2008 Ford Escape

The Ford Escape Hybrid was introduced for 2005, although the regular Escape dawned four years earlier. The original powertrain featured a 2.3-liter gasoline engine that, together with its electric motor, produced a total of 155 hp. Although this original iteration is virtually identical in terms of size and driving dynamics to the current model, it featured an unfortunate interior filled with cheap, hard plastic surfaces and outdated controls. The Premium package's navigation system in particular was laughably ancient and should be avoided.

The Escape Hybrid remained mostly unchanged until 2008, when Ford updated the entire Escape line, which included the hybrid. Changes were limited primarily to extensive exterior and interior tweaks. The look of the interior is fresher and more contemporary than the previous Escape's cabin, with more ergonomic and attractive controls. Ford's optional Sync entertainment and communications interface was added to the features list the following year along with standard stability control and the current model's larger gasoline engine.