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2008 Ford E-150 Review

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Luc Gagné
The art of delivering the goods
For decades, Ford has been dominating the market of commercial vans with the E-Series, formerly known as the Econoline. This vehicle, whose story began in 1960, took the more generic name in 2002 following the example of F-Series pickup trucks.

The E-Series is the most popular commercial van on the market.

Compared to rivals, including the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana twins as well as the Dodge Sprinter (the only European-designed model sold over here, at least for now), the E-Series van is a true monument... or legend, I should say. After all, the current design dates back to 1992!

A familiar employee
Fleet managers shouldn't worry about the minor facelift for 2008. Only the front fascia has been redesigned (fenders, hood, grille), meaning the E-Series is still unmistakable. No modifications were made aft of the windshield.

Much like the name change in 2002, this styling revision aimed to establish a stronger connection between all Ford trucks, obviously led by the F-Series. To tell you the truth, I think that the final result is questionable.

Anyway, people don't buy one of these vans based on styling. Rather, it's a matter of affordability and durability. Most of the time, they're used and abused before being sold and replaced by newer models. Vans thus find their way into the used vehicle market, loyally serving owner after owner before their time on the road finally expires.

The long lifecycle is such that, among all North American vehicles with over 400,000 kilometers on their resume, the Ford E-Series currently has the most units that are still operational.

Fully appointed!
Beyond the few cosmetic changes, the E-Series stands out by offering "off-the-shelf" vans. As of now, the Canadian model indeed comes with a fully-appointed interior at no extra costs.

This van offers two doors in the back and another two on the passenger's side.
Luc Gagné
Luc Gagné
Automotive expert
  • More than 30 years of experience as an automotive journalist
  • Over 59 test drives in the past year
  • Attended over 150 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists