2008 Ford Econoline Exterior Review
Based on analysis of 18 Econoline reviews and test drives.
Exterior - What the Auto Press Says
Passenger vans like the 2008 Ford E-Series have never been on the cutting edge of automobile styling, and no reviewer really expects them to be. "Ford has made an attempt to keep the big van fresh with a new grille every few years," says Automobile Magazine, "but the utilitarian mission of the E-Series precludes any flair."
Most reviews find changes from earlier years to be minor. "Styling is not drastically changed from Ford vans of the past," says The Auto Channel. "The nose is a little rounder and has some of the character of the F150 truck, just so you won't forget where it came from. Other than that the styling is the same." Edmunds picks a small nit with their test van's external features: "We felt the optional 'bright, swing-out exterior mirrors' on our model were rather gaudy and clashed with the otherwise attractive dark green paint." They then ask "why not make these body color?" Of the slightly freshened look implemented with the 2007 E-Series, Cars.com notes that the "new, larger grille serves another purpose in addition to making the vehicle look more defined: it allows more air to pass through the cooling systems."
