"Bold Moves"??? 2008 Ford Escape

:blah:

I thought styling was supposed to become... well...... not the most bland in the industry over at Ford??? :confused:

Wow... styling-wise, this is a total yawner. :tired: IMO, the now-familiar Equinox is much better looking, and the Torrent even moreso.


http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Spy_Shots_and_Future_Cars/Spy_Shots_2008_Ford_Escape.S178.A11047.html

http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/scrapbook/tmb/2896.jpg

http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/scrapbook/tmb/2902.jpg

I've seen dry toast more exciting than that.

It's a freakin' SUV. Since when are SUVs supposed to be exciting for cripes' sake? :irk:

Small SUVs are today's mini-van. When was a mini-van ever exciting? :think:

Very blah.
But, Toyota seems to sell a lot of cars with very bland styling. :shrug:

It's a freakin' SUV. Since when are SUVs supposed to be exciting for cripes' sake? :irk:

Small SUVs are today's mini-van. When was a mini-van ever exciting? :think:

Honda Odyssey is a lot more exciting looking than any other minivan out there.

And Darth mentioned Equinox - it IS more exciting looking than this bland Escape.

Toyota sells b/c of the image of reliability not style. What does Ford have? Layoffs.

Toyota sells b/c of the image of reliability not style. What does Ford have? Layoffs.

I'm not disputing that. I'm just saying that styling is not the only factor in a good-selling vehicle. There's also something to be said for not having a "love it or hate it" type of styling. It might garner more looks, but you'll never get love from the masses. :shrug:

Well, to be fair, it is in white (a color that can make a boxy suv look very appliance-like), and it has a non-body color rear bumper (so it may be a pretty low trim level).

Definitely no Equinox/Torrent, though (but really, few SUVs look as good as those, IMO, even at much higher prices).

BLAND...
http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/scrapbook/tmb/2896.jpg

NOT BLAND...
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/images/chevrolet_tahoe_2007_1.jpg

Was it the round, smooth sides, the box headlamps, the round foglights, or the horizontal barred grill that set them apart? :confused:
Aha!!! It MUST be the color-coded side view mirros that make the difference!
No-no, it's the front license plate holder... THAT'S IT! J/K...:lol:



I'm with jg95z28 on this one. It's not supposed to encite passion, sportiness, or striking lines... it's an appliance. I think it looks "OK", and would be more concerned with creature comforts, options, liveability, operating costs, safety, and how many cupholder it has!:cool:

BLAND...



I'm with jg95z28 on this one. It's not supposed to encite passion, sportiness, or striking lines... it's an appliance. I think it looks "OK", and would be more concerned with creature comforts, options, liveability, operating costs, safety, and how many cupholder it has!:cool:

I agree, to a point, that SUV are "boxed in" (pun intended) styling-wise to a degree.

BUT... while styling is subjective, I think there is little doubt that Equinox, Torrent, and even if you want to show full-size, Tahoe have a much more dramatic and striking presence than the new Escape... at least from the pictures shown.

I also agree with 96_Camaro_B4C that the color and perhaps trim level may not be the most appealing on this particular Escape that was photographed, but still, you get a clear idea of the look.

Additional small, budget-minded SUV's with much more styling flavor than this new Escape, IMO: Jeep Liberty, Dodge Nitro, Kia Sorento......

I think I have seen a pic of one of these with the gillet, I mean fusion style grill. Maybe that is just on the high trim level models.

Its no less inspiring than the police Tahoe though...

wow thats ugly !!!

Bland...and ugly. I don't much mind the bland on SUVs (though it does take it a bit far) but to me they just look ugly.

Like Joe pointed out, white isn't the most exciting color out there (my white B4C is certainly a visual yawner next to my former Aqua 97 Z). And jg95z28 pointed out it is just an SUV, not exactly a class known for rolling automotive sculpture.

But also consider that very same body has already been around a few years, and actually looked sharp when it 1st came out. Although I'm not crazy about that new grille, it will certainly stand out on models with dark colors. The headlights aren't bad.

I agree the Eqiunox looks better, but I think this will do well too.

I think it looks a bit more upscale then the previous design.

Dang, Guy agreed with me. My head is HUGE right now! :D

OK...
Hows this one...
http://www.yadtel.net/~gcreed1/pics/China/100_0020.JPG
http://www.yadtel.net/~gcreed1/pics/China/100_0022.JPG


Look better?

Honestly?

It's still super-bland, IMO.

The grille reminds me of the Nitro for some reason.

Overall I don't think it's that bad. Fits with the Ford truck family and at least doesn't look generic Japanese.

BLAND...
http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/scrapbook/tmb/2896.jpg

NOT BLAND...
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/images/chevrolet_tahoe_2007_1.jpg



You can't really tell from the pictures, but the Tahoe has a very bold presence in person, especially that front end. The proportions, I think, are just about perfect. Simple, but bold. Maybe the Escape in person is different, but I doubt it. Also I think that at this point, the "bold design" at Ford wouldn't really apply to a refreshing of an existing vehicle so soon after announcing thier intentions.

Looks dated.

Maybe what it and many SUVs are lacking is character.

No one ever accused the Grand Cherokee or original Bronco or even the BronciII of being “pretty” or “exciting” but you knew exactly what you were looking at when you saw one.

Personally, I think (at least the base) Tahoe is very bland and has taken a step backwards in the “looks” department from previous versions - it also seems most of the SUVs out there are following the same pattern, unfortunately.

Very blah.
But, Toyota seems to sell a lot of cars with very bland styling. :shrug:

Both the RAV4 and the Honda CRV have a ton more styling than this thing.

I think Ford was going for the mini-Explorer look. Too bad Explorer sales are plummeting.

Hopefully this is not a total redesign?? Looks like a minor facelift from the old one. Looks terrible also. Has a mid 1990's look to it.

Not ugly, but not exciting.
Looks just like every other E-named SUV Ford makes.

I think, if you took the Ford badge off of it, you wouldn't be able to tell who makes it. Not a lot of character there. Sure, it is an SUV, but SUVs can still have character lines and elements that defines what they are. I think Darth hit it squarely when he mentioned the Liberty, Nitro (as ugly as it is) and others.

At this point, I really think the whole "Bold Moves" slogan describes a person actually buying a current Ford product rather than the actual products themselves. :o

Wow that is dull to look at.

Put that up next to the GMC Acadia and tell me which one stands out more...

What's going on over there at Ford lately? It's like mid 80's styling all over again.

As an aside... I think the 2008 Mercury Mariner is much better:

http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2006/10/mercury_mariner_07_sm.jpg

Maybe what it and many SUVs are lacking is character.

No one ever accused the Grand Cherokee or original Bronco or even the BronciII of being “pretty” or “exciting” but you knew exactly what you were looking at when you saw one.

Personally, I think (at least the base) Tahoe is very bland and has taken a step backwards in the “looks” department from previous versions - it also seems most of the SUVs out there are following the same pattern, unfortunately.

Agreed on the first two points. But, really, what character can you get out of a neutered mommymobile? This isn't the day of the hardcore offroader, as mentioned, with the older Heeps and Bronco(2).

If, by bland, you mean most SUVs are overly bloated, then I completely agree. It's easier to name one this hasn't been cornfed these days.

Exploder? Bloated.

4Runner? Bloated.

Durango? Bloated.

GM suv clones? Bloated.

I see nothing exciting or bold about the Tahoe in this thread....and just to kick dirt on everyone/everything who deserves it, I never saw the Escape as exciting, anyway. Now, show something muscular like an Excursion and we'll talk.

Bland:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/scrapbook/tmb/2896.jpg


Bold: (I don't know if "Bold" is the right word. Attractive might be better)

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0607_z+2007_gmc_acadia+front_corner.jpg


Of course styling is and always will be subjective, but that Ford does look like a rehash of the Explorer. Nothing really "new" and "exciting".

Bold: (I don't know if "Bold" is the right word. Attractive might be better)
Of course styling is and always will be subjective, but that Ford does look like a rehash of the Explorer. Nothing really "new" and "exciting".

NO - BOLD is definitely not the right word. :no:

Personally, I think they are all bland. Colors, strips of chrome, and slightly different shapes in the headlamps do NOT make them that different IMO.
Interiors may be hugely differentiated, but we are not reviewing those.
Subjective is the key word here - we all agree on that.

Look at the shapes of the windows and pillars...
Look at the fog lamp placements and fascia...
Luggage racks and rooflines are IDENTICAL...
Widths, Lengths, Stances are within cockhairs...
HONESTLY... are you guys looking at the VEHICLE or at the nameplate?

I think the problem is that Ford is using BOLD as the new tagline for their entire product line. Unfortunately, most probably see Bold as something that really jumps at you and knocks you out. Perhaps something that out of the ordinary and revolutionary. I thought the Mustang and GT500 were BOLD (even though they weren't the first retro vehicles to come out). Everything just doesn't fit the perception of BOLD.

I believe the new escape will have the potential lead small SUV's, but there really isn't anything BOLD about it.

I've seen dry toast more exciting than that.

:shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

NO - BOLD is definitely not the right word. :no:

Personally, I think they are all bland. Colors, strips of chrome, and slightly different shapes in the headlamps do NOT make them that different IMO.
Interiors may be hugely differentiated, but we are not reviewing those.
Subjective is the key word here - we all agree on that.

Look at the shapes of the windows and pillars...
Look at the fog lamp placements and fascia...
Luggage racks and rooflines are IDENTICAL...
Widths, Lengths, Stances are within cockhairs...
HONESTLY... are you guys looking at the VEHICLE or at the nameplate?

Agreed.

NO - BOLD is definitely not the right word. :no:

Personally, I think they are all bland. Colors, strips of chrome, and slightly different shapes in the headlamps do NOT make them that different IMO.
Interiors may be hugely differentiated, but we are not reviewing those.
Subjective is the key word here - we all agree on that.

Look at the shapes of the windows and pillars...
Look at the fog lamp placements and fascia...
Luggage racks and rooflines are IDENTICAL...
Widths, Lengths, Stances are within cockhairs...
HONESTLY... are you guys looking at the VEHICLE or at the nameplate?
Yea, but look at the GMC Acadia posted above compared to the Escape. I don't know how anyone could tell me the Ford is something even close to good looking when you have that next to it.

Not even looking at who makes it, much like any other Ford product save the Mustang, it's bland. JMHO, but also the opinion of many others.

Bland:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/scrapbook/tmb/2896.jpg


Bold: (I don't know if "Bold" is the right word. Attractive might be better)

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0607_z+2007_gmc_acadia+front_corner.jpg


Of course styling is and always will be subjective, but that Ford does look like a rehash of the Explorer. Nothing really "new" and "exciting".

Bold is the right word. Bold describes something distinct, something unique, and loud. GMC Acadia is all these things, and the Escape is quiet and subdued. Ford's have always been about elegance, substance over style, but they haven't always hit that mark, instead, all too often coming across as overly conservative. The Acadia and Escape are remakes of the traditional SUV box shape....but the Acadia takes a fresher, almost sporty perspective to it....it adds real curves, as do the other Lambdas. The front fascias try to evoke more carlike shapes. Notice the blunt front end on the Escape, like every other Ford truck, including Econoline vans. The Acadia's "face", the elements in the mouth, the eyes, the more aggressive shape of the front bumper, the raked hoodline, the sloping winshield all suggest a more dramatic design than the Escape.

Escape is traditional Ford conservative....I wouldn't call it bland, but it sure isn't anything exciting, and the worst part about it is the exact same shape has already been refreshed once or twice, and it hasn't been memorable for some time now. That said, it is a classy shape on its own, but when put up against the competition, they look fresher against the Ford.

Not gonna comment on the Escape, its just another SUV and like others have said, SUV's are supposed to be dull.

However I do like manufacturer's that take a shot at style to stand out a little bit. Like Hyundai did with its Santa Fe when it first came out. Like how the Enclave looked on the show circuit. And now seeing the Acadia, seems GM could have a real winner on their hands.

NO - BOLD is definitely not the right word. :no:

Personally, I think they are all bland. Colors, strips of chrome, and slightly different shapes in the headlamps do NOT make them that different IMO.
Interiors may be hugely differentiated, but we are not reviewing those.
Subjective is the key word here - we all agree on that.

Look at the shapes of the windows and pillars...
Look at the fog lamp placements and fascia...
Luggage racks and rooflines are IDENTICAL...
Widths, Lengths, Stances are within cockhairs...
HONESTLY... are you guys looking at the VEHICLE or at the nameplate?


The vehicle. You cant honestly compare this to say the next Enclave. I like the Arcadia, Even though its not a fair comparison the FX has a better design. I do agree that it is subjective and you could consider it an "appliance" but certainaly dont agree that they all look the same. The current Tahoe looks better by a huge margin in my book. Thats not to knock Ford, I think The Tahoe has borrowed from the Expedition which is no slouch in the grille.

But like you said it is subjective and that is my opinion