The 2008 Ford Escape now makes a more powerful statement with a completely redesigned exterior design and refined interior. The 2008 Ford Escape XLS 4WD AT (starting at $21,745) boasts of a 2.3-liter, 16-valve Duratec 23 I-4 that delivers 153-horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 152 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. The engine is mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission to provide smooth, quiet ride and greater fuel efficiency.

Standard and optional convenience features in the 2008 Ford Escape XLS 4WD AT include low-back front bucket seats; 60/40 split rear seats; power windows, locks and outside mirrors; AM/FM stereo with CD player and audio input jack; flow-through center console, storage bin with removable trays; 16-inch aluminum wheels; clear lens headlamps; solar tinted glass on door glass and liftgate with dot matrix pattern on windshield; removable rear seat cushion; instrument cluster with gauges, tachometer and warning signals; battery saver feature; cargo package: retractable rear cargo area cover, lockable hidden wet trunk, roof rack with crossbars; 6-disc in-dash CD changer; integrated side step bars; roof rack without crossbars; Ice Blue dash lighting; Interior lighting with off-delay: center dome light with map lamps and rear cargo area light and illuminated entry.

Safety and security features available in the 2008 Ford Escape XLS 4WD AT are Safety Belt Restraint System -- manual 3-point shoulder and lap safety belts at all seating positions, with rear center seating position, safety belt pretensioners and height adjustable D-rings on driver and front passenger seats; Personal Safety System -- dual-stage airbag system for driver and Front Passenger Sensing System; Safety Canopy System and front-seat side airbags; side intrusion door beams; Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH); 4-wheel anti-lock brake system; AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control); tire pressure monitoring system; remote keyless entry; and SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System.

The 2008 Ford Escape XLS 4WD AT comes with a basic Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty (3-years/36, 000 miles), as well as extended coverage for the powertrain (5-years/60, 000 miles) and safety system (5 years /60,000 miles) and protection against corrosion perforation (5 years/unlimited miles).