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2008 Ford Econoline Full Review
Date Published: 10/07/08
2008 Ford Econoline Review
The 2008 Ford Econoline gets a redesigned front end this year with revised braking, suspension, and steering systems. Also new are an increased cargo capacity and an exclusive double locking system on the cargo doors to secure valuables inside. Econoline cargo vans come with or without windows and rear seats in 1/2-ton E-150, 3/4-ton E-250, and 1-ton E-350 versions. Passenger vans come in E-150 and E-350 models. E-250/350s offer regular or extended-length bodies, E-150s regular only. Both have center-opening rear cargo doors and either 60/40 doors or a single slider on the passenger side. Cargo vans come standard with two front bucket seats, but can carry up to five passengers with the Crew Van package's rear bench seat. Regular-length passenger vans seat from 7 to 12 passengers, while extended-length vans carry up to 15. Four trim levels include Cargo, XL, XLT, and Chateau. A 225-hp 4.6-liter V8 with a 4-speed automatic transmission is standard on E-150/250 models. A 255-hp 5.4-liter V8 is optional on the E-150/250 and standard on E-350 models. The 5.4-liter V8 comes standard with a 4-speed automatic transmission or available 5-speed automatic. Optional on the E-350 is a 305-hp 6.8-liter V10, or turbodiesel 235-hp 6.0-liter V8 mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, and dual front airbags. Optional equipment includes an upgraded 135-amp alternator for the 5.4-liter V8 and 6.8-liter V10. A 140-amp alternator or dual alternators are available with the diesel engine. Power telescopic trailer tow mirrors and running boards are optional on Cargo, XLT, and Chateau models. Also available are rear obstacle detection, a limited slip differential, rear air conditioning, quad captain chairs on Passenger models, an overhead console, a CD player, and a new-for-2008 double-locking system that keeps the cargo area secure and can be locked, but not unlocked, with the keyless entry system.
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2008 Ford Econoline Road Test
Pros Cons
Passenger and cargo room Fuel economy
Acceleration (4.6 V8)
Ride
Steering/handling
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
3 3 2.8

Avoid the underpowered 4.6-liter V8. The 5.4-liter V8 is the best all-around choice for typical family use. The V10 and turbodiesel V8 are best for towing, but are otherwise more engine than most people need everyday.
Fuel Economy

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
2 2 2.8

In Consumer Guide testing, we averaged a dismal 11.8 mpg with a test V10 passenger model. Other gas V8s are thriftier, but not much. The turbodiesel is fairly frugal, but it would take a lot of miles before the fuel savings could make up for the lofty purchase price.
Ride Quality

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
5 4 4.4

Class-average but acceptable, though 4th- and 5th-row riders in extendeds are over the rear axle and feel almost every bump.
Steering/Handling/Braking

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
3 3 2.5

Like rivals, clumsy to park, a chore on twisty roads, and easily buffeted by highway crosswinds. Wet-road traction is poor without some weight over the rear wheels. Stopping power improved by the standard rear disc brakes but still not short or stable by minivan standards.
Quietness

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
4 4 4.3

Noise levels are acceptable in passenger models, fairly high in the less "upholstered" cargo vans. The turbodiesel V8 makes a mighty racket when worked hard.
Controls

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
6 6 6.3

Old-school big-truck design, but clear and convenient.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
6 6 6.3

Indifferent seats, ample space. Entry and exit not bad, but shorter folk might need side steps. Visibility astern is OK in wagons, almost non-existent in vans without the optional side and rear windows. Bulky size demands care with parking and lane changes, especially in extendeds.
Room/Comfort (rear)

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
9 9 8.5

Regulars seat up to 12, extendeds up to 15. All riders sit high yet have good headroom, but not that much legroom. Entry and exit easy to 2nd row, tight and tricky to 3rd, 4th, and 5th rows.
Cargo Room

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
10 10 10

Adequate to ample behind the rearmost seat in either body length, cavernous with seats removed, though that requires tedious wrenchwork and none of the seats fold for cargo.
Value within Class

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
8 7 8.9

GM's vans offer all-wheel drive and driver-side cargo doors, but otherwise, Econoline lags GM's offerings only in quietness. The same goes for cargo versions. Still, most minivans can do a full-sizer's job except when it comes to outright load space and towing capability.
Total Score

E-150, 4.6 V8 E-350, V10 Class Average
56 54 56.8
Scores for all Full-size Vans

Low Score
54
Average Score
56
High Score
59
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2008 Ford Econoline Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 06/20/2008
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
E-150 Cargo regular-length 3-door van $23,940 $21,383 $920
E-150 Cargo extended 3-door van $24,940 $22,253 $920
E-250 Cargo regular-length 3-door van $25,270 $22,540 $920
E-250 Cargo Super extended 3-door van $26,420 $23,541 $920
E-350 Cargo regular-length 3-door van $28,060 $24,967 $920
E-350 Cargo Super extended 3-door van $28,990 $25,777 $920
E-150 XL 3-door regular-length van $26,135 $23,292 $920
E-350 XL Super Duty regular-length 3-door van $29,665 $26,364 $920
E-350 XL Super Duty extended 3-door van $32,055 $28,443 $920
E-150 XLT regular-length 3-door van $28,910 $25,703 $920
E-350 XLT Super Duty regular-length 3-door van $32,470 $28,804 $920
E-350 XLT Super Duty extended 3-door van $33,815 $29,974 $920
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Cargo
Powertrain
4.6-liter V8 engine (E-150, E-250), 5.4-liter V8 engine (E-350), 4-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Front air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, vinyl upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, AM/FM radio, tachometer, black-vinyl floor covering, intermittent wipers.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Hinged side and rear cargo doors.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Full-size spare tire, LT225/75R16E tires (E-150), LT245/75R16E tires (E-250, E-350), wheel covers.
XL adds to Cargo:
Powertrain
Traction control (E-350).
Safety
Antiskid system w/rollover sensors (E-350).
Comfort and Convenience Features
Front and rear air conditioning (E-350 extended), 8-passenger seating (front bucket seats and two 3-passenger bench seats), 12-passenger seating (adds 4-passenger rear bench to 8-passenger seating) [E-350 regular-length], 15-passenger seating (adds 3-passenger bench to 12-passenger seating) [E-350 extended].
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
LT225/75R16E (E-350 regular-length), LT245/75R16E (E-350 extended).
XLT adds to XL:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cloth upholstery, front captain chairs, front and rear air conditioning, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, illuminated visor mirrors, carpeting, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Chrome bumpers.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Premium Pkg.
XLT
$3,030
$2,515
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, power driver seat, 2nd-row captains chairs, remote keyless entry, overhead console, compass, outside-temperature indicator, rear privacy glass, 2-tone paint, running boards, alloy wheels.
Power Group
Cargo
$655
$544
Power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, power mirrors.
Power Group w/trailer tow mirrors
Cargo
$725
$602
Power Group plus power telescoping trailer tow mirrors.
Exterior Upgrade Pkg.
Cargo
$415
$344
XL
$395
$328
Chrome grille and bumpers, full-size wheel covers.
Insulation Pkg.
Cargo
$185
$154
Cloth headliner and sunvisors, extra insulation.
Interior Upgrade Pkg.
XL
$1,140
$946
Cloth upholstery, power windows and door locks, cloth headliner and sunvisors, carpeting, illuminated entry, floormats.
Interior Upgrade Pkg. w/carpeting
Cargo
$1,685
$1,399
Requires additional glass windows.
Premium Van Group
Cargo
$990
$822
Cloth upholstery, dual captain chairs, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, cloth headliner and sunvisors, extra insulation, chrome bumpers and grille, full wheels covers.
Premium Van Group w/trailer tow mirrors
Cargo
$1,065
$884
Premium Van Group plus power telescoping trailer tow mirrors.
Crew Van Pkg.
Cargo
$1,220
$1,013
Rear vinyl bench seat, door trim panels, metal bulkhead, partial rear headliner. NA w/Interior Upgrade Pkg., rear vinyl floor covering. NA E-150 extended.
Crew Van Interior Upgrade Pkg.
Cargo
$1,185
$984
Cargo w/Trailer Towing Pkg.
$1,255
$1,042
Power Group plus cloth upholstery, front captain chairs, cloth headliner, carpeting. Requires Crew Van Pkg. NA w/rear vinyl floor covering
Class II, III, IV Trailer Towing Pkg.
E-150/250 Cargo, E-150 XL
$395
$328
E-350 Cargo, E-350 XL, XLT, Chateau
$285
$237
Electric brake controller tap-in capability, bumper bracket, relay system for back-up/B+/running lights, trailer hitch.
Powertrain
5.4-liter V8 engine
E-150, E-250
$975
$809
6.8-liter V10 engine
E-350
$800
$664
Requires 5-speed automatic transmission.
6.0-liter turbodiesel V8 engine
E-350
$7,285
$6,097
Requires 5-speed automatic transmission.
5-speed automatic transmission
E-350
$385
$320
Requires diesel or V10 engine.
Traction control
E-150, E-250
$225
$187
NA w/6.0-liter turbodiesel V8 engine.
Limited-slip differential
Cargo, XL, XLT
$270
$224
E-350 w/V10 engine
$315
$261
Optional axle ratio
E-250, E-350
$45
$37
Safety
Rear-obstacle-detection system
Cargo, XL, XLT
$280
$232
Cargo, XL require Exterior Upgrade Pkg. or rear step bumper.
Comfort and Convenience Features
High-capacity front and rear air conditioning
Cargo, XL regular length
$825
$685
Includes auxiliary rear heater. Std. XL 350 extended.
Cloth bucket seats
Cargo
$40
$33
Cloth captain chairs
Cargo
$95
$79
Quad captain chairs
XLT
$0
$0
12-passenger seating
E-350 XL/XLT extended (credit)
$-140
$-116
Front bucket seats (XL), front captain chairs (XLT), two 3-passenger bench seats, rear 4-passenger bench seat.
Power driver seat
Cargo, XLT
$390
$324
Cargo requires cloth captain chairs.
Deluxe center console
Cargo, XL, XLT
$40
$33
Cruise control
Cargo, XL
$240
$199
AM/FM/CD player
Cargo, XL, XLT
$275
$228
Cargo w/cargo protection alarm
$240
$199
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
XLT
$400
$332
Power windows and door locks
XL
$495
$411
Remote keyless entry
XL, XLT
$225
$187
XL requires power windows and door locks, Interior Upgrade.
Overhead console
XL, XLT
$120
$102
Includes compass, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors. Requires remote keyless entry. XL requires Interior Upgrade Pkg.
Remote engine start
Cargo, XL, XLT
$242
$202
Requires alarm. Cargo requires Power Group. XL requires power windows and door locks.
Power telescoping trailer tow mirrors
XLT
$80
$66
Rear vinyl floor covering
Cargo
$65
$54
Front vinyl floor covering
XLT
$0
$0
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fixed rear-door glass
Cargo
$60
$50
Fixed side/rear cargo-door glass
Cargo
$130
$108
Swing-out side and fixed rear-cargo-door glass
Cargo
$185
$154
Includes right rear quarter window.
Windows all-around
Cargo
$380
$315
Includes fixed side and fixed rear-door glass.
Privacy glass
Cargo w/fixed side and rear-cargo-door windows
$295
$245
XL, XLT
$460
$382
Cargo w/windows all-around
$420
$349
Sliding side cargo door
XL, XLT
$0
$0
Cargo
$100
$83
Replaces hinged cargo doors. NA with fixed side and fixed rear-cargo-door glass.
Chrome rear step bumper
Cargo, XL, XLT
$170
$141
Includes trailer wiring harness. Cargo, XL require Exterior Upgrade Pkg.
Painted rear step bumper
Cargo, XL
$170
$141
Includes trailer wiring harness.
Running boards
Cargo, XL, XLT
$320
$266
Engine-block heater
Cargo, XL, XLT
$35
$29
Alarm
Cargo, XL, XLT
$75
$62
Cargo protection alarm
Cargo
$220
$183
Requires AM/FM/CD player. NA w/Interior Upgrade Pkg., Premium Van Group.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Power take-off provision
E-350 cargo
$280
$232
Requires turbodiesel engine.
Auxiliary fuel port
Cargo
$25
$21
Requires 5.4-liter engine.
Dual alternators
E-350
$580
$481
Requires turbodiesel engine.
140-amp alternator
E-350
$75
$62
Requires turbodiesel engine.
135-amp alternator
E-150
$65
$54
Heavy-duty auxiliary battery
Cargo, XL, XLT
$145
$120
Front axle GAWR one-up
Cargo
$30
$25
Alloy wheels
Cargo, XL, XLT
$310
$257
NA w/turbodiesel engine.
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2008 Ford Econoline Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification E-150 Passenger E-250 Cargo E-250 Cargo Extended Length E-350 Passenger E-350 Passenger Extended Length
Wheelbase, in. 138.0 138.0 138.0 138.0 138.0
Overall Length, in. 212.0 212.0 232.0 212.0 232.0
Overall Width, in. 79.3 79.3 79.3 79.3 79.3
Overall Height, in. 81.2 83.4 84.6 83.7 84.6
Curb Weight, lbs. 5578 5195 5340 5621 6143
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 236.5 236.5 275.1 236.5 275.1
Standard Payload, lbs. 2942 3705 3560 2979 3157
Fuel Capacity, gals. 35.0 35.0 35.0 35.0 35.0
Seating Capacity 12 2 2 12 15
Front Head Room, in. 42.1 42.1 43.8 43.8 42.1
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0
Rear Head Room, in. 40.2 40.2 40.2 40.2 40.2
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 36.9 36.9 36.9 36.9 36.9
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  sohc V8 sohc V8 sohc V10 Turbodiesel ohv V8
Size, liters/cu. in. 4.6 /281 5.4 /330 6.8 /415 6.0 /363
Horsepower @ rpm. 225 @ 4800