Styling on the FEH was changed on the 2008, and the 08/09/10 all have similar styling, but what are the minor differences between the 08 and 09? I can tell a 10 right away because they added an explicit hand-hold below the emblem on rear lid and put the latch button in there. Any tips on recognizing the 08 vs 09 vs 10 from the rear/sides/front?

 

Not much difference between 08-09. There's a small 'mudflap' behind the front wheel, I think, maybe rear wheel, and the lower airdam is slightly different.
10FEH is missing the rear glass vent crack too, new colors in 10, steel blue is one I know, and lost Ice Blue

 

The 2009 FEH came out with the 2.5L engine while the 2008 had the 2.3L. The 2010 does not have the rear drivers side window vent because the hybrid battery is now using cabin air for ventilation/cooling/ and maybe heating purposes. It does not have the rear air conditioning ducts going to the hybrid battery. The battery chemistry has been slightly altered. These changes are what was done for the 2010 Fusion Hybrid.

Will the future bring a 2.0L EcoBoost engine for the Escape Hybrid?

 

There are much more changes from the '08 to the '09 and '10 FEH. The "LIMITED" package on the '09 and '10 has chrome continuing down from the grill to the bumper, has chrome roof rails and now comes again with crossbars that were eliminated on the '08 FEH. There are now "LIMITED" 6 spoke rims on the '09 and '10 FEH for the first time. Ford also went to Michelin LRR tires on all Ford Escapes except for the 17" rims on the gas Escape. The "Hybrid" badge was also added to the '09 and '10 FEH.

Many changes were made in the '09 and '10 FEH mechanically with the exhaust, engine and programming of a new PCM. The eCVT was also programmed for 40mph in EV in the '09 and 44mph in the "10 FEH and can go EV at those speeds by letting off the gas pedal or by just setting the CC.

I'm presently working on my third tank fill over 57mpg using E10 in my '09 FEH which I consider impossible in the '08 and earlier FEH FWD. As of this tank I will have a lifetime MPG of 51mpg and growing.

Don't forget the '09 and '10 have Sync and a new voice Nav Sys and the '10 has "Park Assist" and back-up camera options.

GaryG

 

Rear:
You can determine if it's a '08, '09 or '10 from the back view since all three have different components visible from that angle.

The 2008 FEH did not have a rear anti-sway bar, the '09/'10 does. As mentioned the '10 has the handle built into the lift gate.

Drivers Side:
From the side view the '08 will not have the mini-mud flap in front of the rear wheel but the '09/'10s do. The '09/'10s also have a different chin spoiler that wraps around further toward the front wheels. As mentioned before there will be no vent built into the drivers side rear window on the '10.

Front:
Not sure if there were any changes to the front other than the chin spoiler to help identification.

The '08 chin spoiler is very block like and does not taper off at the sides while the '09/'10 spoiler smoothly tapers out toward the wheels.

 

My 2008 has the chrome continuing down to the bumper, and mine came with crossbars (I assume you mean roof crossbars).

 

I'm sorry, the "LIMITED includes the chrome down to the front damper which includes a partial chrome bumper. Does the '08 have a partial chrome bumper? I know the crossbars were eliminated for a least one year, it was not the '08 FEH? My Bad...

GaryG

 

Mine has the "Luxury" package, whatever that means, and no Nav. It does have the down-to-the-bottom-of-the-bumper chrome, and the crossbars, which I removed and store behind the rear seats. Only other option is the side steps.

 

For 08 we had the Chrome Package, addded the lower grill, liftgate piece, & top rails in chrome plus body color mirrors & door handles. Personally I love the body color parts, the black plastice currently used looks a little cheap.

 

That is essentially what mine looks like, except I have the green, and I don't keep my cross rails mounted. I also have black grill covers.

I would have bought your color, except the one I got was the ONLY one on the lot (out of 40) that had the backup sensors, and that was important for me.

I actually think that the colored body parts depend on the trim; the premium package (maybe it is called "luxury" now) has matching trim. So I think the 2009 also can be had with painted vice black plastic.