2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Pricing

Ford is cutting prices on the 2008 Escape and Mercury Mariner, including the hybrid models. The Escape is being priced at $1,100 less, while the Mariner is being sold at $1,300 less than the 2007 models. The 2008 Escape starts at $19,245, while the Escape Hybrid has a base price of $25,740. The 2008 Mercury Mariner and the hybrid version are being priced at $21,395 and $26,430, respectively for its hybrid.

The Mercury Mariner is the luxury version of the Ford Escape SUV. The 36-month residual values are as much as 11 points higher than for the 2007 models.

The 2008 models will go on sale late in the first quarter.

"We have added a host of features and lowered prices at the same time," Ford spokeswoman Lydia Cisaruk said.

The 2008 models come with new airbags, seat belts, steering column and steering wheel. A stability roll control system is standard on nonhybrid models. Side air curtains and side-impact airbags also are standard. There is a 12 percent reduction in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels inside the vehicle.

Both vehicles include Ford's first "top of dash" information system, a standard MP3 audio jack and a new center console that provide enough room to store a laptop. At night, new ice-blue lighting replaces green on the instrument cluster. In addition, Escape introduces sustainable new cloth seating that is the first U.S. automotive application of 100 percent recycled fabric.