The 2023 Ford Escape gets a mid-cycle refresh with updated styling, a new trim structure, and more modern tech features keeping it competitive. Pricing starts at $27,500.<\/p>\n
The Ford The 2023 Ford Escape starts at $27,500. The hybrid starts at $32,340, the turbo 4-cylinder starts at $34,040, and the sole plug-in hybrid trim begins at $38,500. The pricing of the Escape is in line with the\u00a0compact SUV\u00a0class; it\u2019s priced similarly to the\u00a0Hyundai Tucson,\u00a0Toyota These are the manufacturer\u2019s suggested retail prices and don\u2019t include the $1,495 factory-to-dealer delivery fee.<\/p>\n Before buying an Escape, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Ford Escape resale value is about average for the segment.<\/p>\n You might like:<\/strong> The 2024 Kia Seltos review: A great SUV gets even better<\/p>\n The Escape gets a mid-cycle refresh for 2023, and it\u2019s more than just an aesthetic facelift. On top of the updated styling, it gets a totally new trim structure, including three sporty ST-Line trims. New standard tech features include a digital gauge cluster and the SYNC 4 infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple Driving the Ford Escape is a pleasant experience that yields few surprises. In our testing, the base turbocharged 3-cylinder engine is strong enough for the daily commute and returns good fuel economy.<\/p>\n Upgrading to the available turbo 4-cylinder engine adds some extra excitement to this practical SUV. This engine is similar to the one that powered the now-discontinued Ford Focus ST, bringing back good memories of that hot hatch. It strikes a good balance of power and efficiency without sacrificing any of the practicality of the Escape.<\/p>\n The widely available conventional hybrid powertrain improves the fuel economy of the Escape pretty significantly. With the 2023 update, the hybrid engine costs the same as the turbo 4-cylinder when equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). This allows you to prioritize performance or efficiency without worrying about a cost difference.<\/p>\n Finally, the plug-in hybrid powertrain delivers a driving experience similar to the conventional hybrid but with a bit more power. It can travel up to 37 miles on electricity alone, giving it the lowest annual fuel cost of any powertrain in the Escape lineup by a significant margin.<\/p>\n As for driving comfort, the Escape provides a smooth, comfortable, and quiet ride regardless of what\u2019s under the hood.<\/p>\n Upgrading to AWD improves the all-season traction of the Ford Escape, but it\u2019s not much of an off-roader. That\u2019s where the more rugged\u00a0Ford Bronco Sport\u00a0comes in.<\/p>\n Plus<\/strong>: The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid offers great fuel economy with plenty of safety features and lively performance<\/p>\n The interior of the Ford Escape gets some improvements for the 2023 model year. The most significant change is the standard SYNC 4 8-inch infotainment system. It\u2019s upgradeable to a giant new 13.2-inch screen, and you can get a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The 2023 update keeps the technology fresh in the Escape.<\/p>\n The Ford Escape has a roomy, pleasant interior. There have been a few low-rent materials in the lower trims in previous years, and we hope that\u2019s resolved with the 2023 refresh.<\/p>\n One of our favorite features of this interior is the sliding second-row seats. This function is uncommon in this class, making the interior more flexible. You can adjust the second-row seats to optimize passenger legroom, cargo space, or any balance you\u2019d like. In our experience, the Escape has roomy, adult-friendly rear seats.<\/p>\n The cargo space in the Escape is above-average for an SUV this size. We\u2019ve found it easy to load and unload thanks to a low cargo floor.<\/p>\n Ford updated the Escape\u2019s exterior for 2023. The new front end reminds us of the bigger\u00a0Ford Edge, but the rear and the sides haven\u2019t changed much. The new ST-Line models add a sporty appearance package with a bold grille and spoiler, unique wheels, and painted rocker panels. The outgoing design of the Escape tended to blend in with the crowd, and this bold new aesthetic looks good on this SUV.<\/p>\n The Escape\u2019s dimensions are in line with the compact SUV segment. In the Ford lineup, it\u2019s between the smaller\u00a0Bronco Sport\u00a0and the midsize Edge.<\/p>\n See<\/strong>: The 10 best hybrid SUVs for 2023<\/p>\n Mechanical variety<\/strong> Sliding rear seats<\/strong> SYNC 4<\/strong> Ford Co-Pilot360<\/strong> Sporty ST-Line trims<\/strong> Digital instrument cluster<\/strong> Read<\/strong>: Here are some of the most advanced car tech features \u200byou should know about<\/p>\n 3-Cylinder engine<\/strong><\/p>\n The base engine (and most popular engine) in the Ford Escape is a frugal turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. The performance is adequate for the average driver, and it\u2019s good on gas. This is the standard engine in the Base, Active, and ST-Line trims, and it\u2019s not available in the upper trims.<\/p>\n The 3-cylinder engine uses an 8-speed automatic transmission. Like most SUVs in this class, front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.<\/p>\n Turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder 4-Cylinder engine<\/strong><\/p>\n The available 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine is the sportiest engine choice in the Escape lineup, but it\u2019s also the least efficient. There aren\u2019t many SUVs in this class with these kinds of power and torque ratings (the turbo\u00a0Mazda CX-5\u00a0is one worth noting), so it\u2019s the one to get if you\u2019re looking for an engaging drive in a practical SUV. It\u2019s available in the ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum trims.<\/p>\n Like the 3-cylinder engine, the 4-cylinder employs an 8-speed automatic transmission. Every Escape with this engine comes standard with AWD.<\/p>\n Turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Hybrid powertrain<\/strong><\/p>\n The conventional hybrid powertrain turns the Escape into a very efficient SUV getting over 40 mpg in city driving. It\u2019s also pretty widely available throughout the Escape lineup. You can get it in all three ST-Line trims and the Platinum trim.<\/p>\n The hybrid powertrain employs a continuous variable automatic transmission (CVT) rather than the 8-speed in the non-hybrid models. If you get the hybrid engine in the ST-Line or Platinum trims, FWD is standard, and AWD is optional. However, every Escape in the ST-Line Select and ST-Line Elite trims has AWD.<\/p>\n 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle hybrid 4-cylinder Plug-in hybrid powertrain<\/strong><\/p>\n The plug-in hybrid powertrain can travel up to 37 miles on electricity alone. Even when the full charge is exhausted, it operates like a regular hybrid and gets an impressive combined fuel economy rating of 40 mpg. The plug-in hybrid even benefits from an additional 21 horsepower compared to the conventional hybrid.<\/p>\n The plug-in hybrid powertrain comes exclusively in the standalone PHEV trim. It\u2019s only available with FWD and uses a CVT automatic transmission. If you\u2019d like a PHEV compact SUV with all-wheel drive, consider the Toyota RAV4 Prime or the plug-in variants of the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage.<\/p>\n 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle plug-in hybrid 4-cylinder More Escape fuel economy information is available on the\u00a0EPA\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
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\n Escape improves its value proposition in the\u00a0compact SUV\u00a0class with a\u00a0thorough refresh\u00a0for the 2023 model year. It continues with the same four engine options (two of which are hybrids) but gets a pretty significant aesthetic facelift and desirable new tech like standard wireless smartphone connectivity. It competes in a crowded segment led by the likes of the\u00a0Toyota RAV4,\u00a0Honda CR-V
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\n \u00a0Hyundai Tucson, and\u00a0Chevrolet Equinox.<\/p>\n2023 Ford Escape pricing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n RAV4, and\u00a0Chevy Equinox.<\/p>\n\n
What\u2019s new for 2023?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n CarPlay. The standard 8-inch screen is upgradeable to a new 13.2-inch screen. Also, the plug-in hybrid powertrain is now only available in one standalone trim instead of three.<\/p>\nDriving the 2023 Ford Escape<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Flexible interior<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Bold new exterior<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Our favorite features and tech<\/strong><\/h2>\n
There are four different powertrains available under the hood of the Ford Escape. The base turbocharged 3-cylinder engine is affordable and efficient, and the turbo 4-cylinder adds a sporty drive to the Escape. For better efficiency, you can also get it with a conventional hybrid or a plug-in hybrid powertrain.<\/p>\n
Sliding rear seats are an uncommon feature in this class, but they come standard in the Ford Escape. These provide lots of legroom in the rear seats, and you can customize your cargo area to optimize the space.<\/p>\n
The standard SYNC 4 8-inch infotainment system is loaded with tech features, notably wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You can upgrade it to a 13.2-inch screen with navigation and a Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker audio system.<\/p>\n
The standard Ford Co-Pilot360 safety tech suite brings many driver assistance features to this SUV. Standard features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. Additional optional features include adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, speed sign recognition, and a 360-degree camera.<\/p>\n
Three new ST-Line trims join the Ford Escape lineup with the 2023 update. It\u2019s not a full-fledged ST performance model, but it has an appearance package with a bold grille, spoiler, and sporty wheels. The ST-Line Select and Elite models are available with either the conventional hybrid powertrain or the muscular turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine.<\/p>\n
An 8-inch digital instrument cluster comes standard on the 2023 Ford Escape. This adds a high-tech look and feel to the cabin, and it\u2019s upgradeable to a bigger 12.3-inch display with greater customizability.<\/p>\nEngine and transmission<\/strong><\/h2>\n
181 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
190 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city\/highway fuel economy: 28\/34 mpg (FWD), 26\/31 mpg (AWD)<\/p>\n
250 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
280 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city\/highway fuel economy: 23\/31 mpg<\/p>\n
200 total horsepower
155 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city\/highway fuel economy: 44\/37 mpg (FWD), 43\/37 mpg (AWD)<\/p>\n
221 total horsepower
155 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA combined fuel economy: 105 MPGe on battery power, 40 mpg in gas-electric hybrid mode
Battery-only range: 37 miles<\/p>\n