Review
Introduction
The Ford E-series is a full-size van, and a very traditional one at that. Built on a body-on-frame platform that debuted in 1992, the E-series offers two lengths and enough seats to haul an entire Little League team; the passenger version of the Ford van will carry up to 15 people.
For customers who demand a higher towing capacity and a heavier-duty load-carrying capacity, Ford offers the E-350 vans (available in XL and XLT trim levels in both regular and extended lengths) in 12- and 15-passenger versions. Less-demanding buyers might be satisfied by the less-expensive eight-passenger E-150 vans.
Stability control is standard on E-350 vans with the 255-hp, 5.4-liter V-8 engine. Other E-series vans are not available with stability control but do offer traction control. Base models are powered by a 225-hp version of Ford’s 4.6-liter V-8. New to the E-series for 2008 is an available 6.0-liter V-8 turbo-diesel engine with 235 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque.
The E-150 and the E-350 are also available in cargo versions, as is the E-250. The E-250, E-350, and the workhorse E-450 can be had as cab-only cutaways, the latter two of which can be ordered with a 305-hp, 6.8-liter Triton V-10.
Verdict
The large Ford vans aren’t really about satisfying the driver but rather are about moving a lot of people and a lot of their belongings safely and in relative comfort. In the automotive world, the E-series vans occupy the space that exists between school buses and minivans; act accordingly.
What’s New for 2008
For 2008, the E-series gets a revised chassis and steering system that is designed to make the van more agile and responsive. E-350 vans with the 5.4-liter engine get standard stability control; other E-series vans offer traction control. Structural changes increase the load-carrying ability of the E-series. On the outside, the E-series gets a new front-end design inspired by the Ford Super Duty pickup trucks. Last, a diesel engine (a 6.0-liter turbo-diesel V-8) returns to the optional-equipment list.
