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2008 Ford Econoline Wagon Review

October 6, 2008

STYLING | 4 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

same basic shape that has defined Ford vans since the late 1970s
Kelley Blue Book

a radical new grille
Edmunds.com

Rugged new styling
NewCars.com

design is as square as square can be
Automobile Magazine

Traditionally more concerned with function than form, designers of the 2008 Ford Econoline have this year given some attention to dressing up the workhorse--though the jury is still out as to whether the makeover is as radical as Ford's marketing department claims.

The 2008 Econoline sports a new fascia, dual stacked headlamps, and bumpers in addition to the big, bright grille. Kelley Blue Book admits that the changes "give the E-Series a slightly new look." Whether the look is successful is another question. Edmunds.com says, "Ford is obviously hoping for a more macho look here, though it's not entirely cohesive." Inside, they report, there have been fewer changes.

Most reviewers agree that style is not the selling point of the Econoline. Ford has made token efforts to keep the van looking fresh, but as Automobile Magazine points out, "the utilitarian mission of the E-Series precludes any flair... [and] many of these vans will either be used to take people to the surgeon's table in ambulance guise or end up in the operating room themselves, being chopped up into extravagantly decaled conversion vans."

Cars.com mentions that the XLT Premium package offers "aluminum wheels and running boards, as well as two-tone paint" and that the updated grille "serves another purpose in addition to making the vehicle look more defined: it allows more air to pass through the cooling systems."

As Cars.com points out, several of the models are intended for commercial use, so inside the Econoline frills are minimal, though the XLT Premium version does offer captain's chairs and an overhead console.

The base structure, inside and out, really hasn't changed much, according to Edmunds.com--and that's not necessarily bad: "For upfitters, or those who turn E-Series vans into commercial vehicles... any change to the Econoline's basic structure and dimensions means they also have to change the dimensions and tooling of their customizations... [So] a cargo van that looks different, but is still very much the same. For many E-Series customers, that is the best news of all."

Conclusion

Ford's attempts to spiff up the 2008 Econoline meet with limited success.

STYLING | 4 out of 10Expert Quotes:same basic shape that has defined Ford vans since the late 1970sKelley Blue Booka radical new grilleEdmunds.comRugged new stylingNewCars.comdesign is as square as square can beAutomobile Magazine Traditionally more concerned with function than form, designers of the 2008 Ford Econoline have this year given some attention to dressing up the workhorse--though the jury is still out as to whether the makeover is as radical as Ford's marketing department claims. The 2008 Econoline sports a new fascia, dual stacked headlamps, and bumpers in addition to the big, bright grille. Kelley Blue Book admits that the changes "give the E-Series a slightly new look." Whether the look is successful is another question. Edmunds.com says, "Ford is obviously hoping for a more macho look here, though it's not entirely cohesive." Inside, they report, there have been fewer changes. Most reviewers agree that style is not the selling point of the Econoline. Ford has made token efforts to keep the van looking fresh, but as Automobile Magazine points out, "the utilitarian mission of the E-Series precludes any flair... [and] many of these vans will either be used to take people to the surgeon's table in ambulance guise or end up in the operating room themselves, being chopped up into extravagantly decaled conversion vans." Cars.com mentions that the XLT Premium package offers "aluminum wheels and running boards, as well as two-tone paint" and that the updated grille "serves another purpose in addition to making the vehicle look more defined: it allows more air to pass through the cooling systems." As Cars.com points out, several of the models are intended for commercial use, so inside the Econoline frills are minimal, though the XLT Premium version does offer captain's chairs and an overhead console. The base structure, inside and out, really hasn't changed much, according to Edmunds.com--and that's not necessarily bad: "For upfitters, or those who turn E-Series vans into commercial vehicles... any change to the Econoline's basic structure and dimensions means they also have to change the dimensions and tooling of their customizations... [So] a cargo van that looks different, but is still very much the same. For many E-Series customers, that is the best news of all." ConclusionFord's attempts to spiff up the 2008 Econoline meet with limited success. 2008 FORD ECONOLINE STYLING | [4 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "same basic shape that has defined Ford vans since the late 1970s" Edmunds.com: "a radical new grille" NewCars.com: "Rugged new styling" Automobile Magazine: "design is as square as square can be" Traditionally ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Most families are better served by a minivan. The 2008 Ford Econoline serves a very specific need--and if you don't need something this large, Ford plans to import a new Transit Connect van from Europe. It will offer a large cargo hold, a manual transmission, and a four-cylinder engine, making it a perfect city cargo van with fuel economy much better than that of the Econoline. The GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express offer much of the ordering flexibility of the Ford vans, and some versions are rated with fuel economy as high as 15/20 mpg.

Next Steps:

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See the Ford Econoline Wagon in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999

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