Ford Authority has reported extensively on the 2023 Ford Escape over the past several months, revealing a host of details about the refreshed crossover. At the same time, Ford Authority spies have spotted a number of 2023 Ford Escape prototypes out driving around in various states of disguise – most recently, a handful that weren’t wearing any camouflage whatsoever, giving us a good idea of what the restyled Escape looks like. Now, the 2023 Ford Escape has been officially revealed, giving the long-running model some welcome updates to keep it fresh in a competitive segment.
As Ford Authority reported last month, those changes start with a totally revamped trim level lineup which now includes the Base, Active, PHEV, ST-Line, and Platinum, which replace the outgoing S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims. While the plug-in hybrid becomes its own entity, the Active and ST-Line are brand new, with the ST-Line being offered in three different trims of its own – ST-Line, ST-Line Select, and ST-Line Elite.
The base ST-Line is equipped with the turbocharged Ford 1.5L I-3 EcoBoost engine that is targeted to produce 180 horsepower and standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, or a hybrid option with front-wheel drive. Meanwhile, the ST-Line Select and Elite are equipped with either the turbocharged Ford 2.0L I-4 EcoBoost powerplant with standard all-wheel drive or the hybrid.
However, the main attraction for the ST-Line series is its sportier looks, with unique features including a black mesh front grille, unique rear skid plate, a single-wing rear spoiler, and standard 18-inch wheels, as well as a monochromatic exterior with matching painted surfaces. The ST-Line Elite is also equipped with a “coast-to-coast” LED light bar between the headlights and 19-inch machine-faced Ebony-painted wheels. Inside the cabin, the ST-Line features an ebony hue accented by red stitching on the seats, door panels, arm rest, steering wheel, and floor mats, along with a flat-bottom steering wheel.
As for the rest of the lineup, Base and Active models come equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine with front-wheel or all-wheel-drive, while the Platinum offers the 2.0L EcoBoost with all-wheel-drive or the hybrid powertrain option with front-wheel or all-wheel-drive. Base models feature an Ebony interior, while the Active, PHEV, and Platinum offer a choice between Ebony or Space Gray threads. On the outside, all 2023 Escape models come standard with LED headlamps – as Ford Authority reported last month.
Inside the cabin, the 2023 Ford Escape offers a standard 8-inch infotainment screen or a larger 13.2-inch unit that’s optional on Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, and PHEV trims, as well as standard on the ST-Line Elite and Platinum. Both screens run Sync 4 with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel cluster is also available. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features has been updated with Intersection Assist and Blind Spot Assist, while the automaker’s Power-Up over-the-air update capability will keep the crossover up to date over time.
The 2023 Escape will continue to be offered with both hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, though now, each features a targeted driving range of 400 miles, while the hybrid with front-wheel-drive is aiming for an EPA-estimated range of more than 550 miles. The PHEV features FoMoCo’s advanced fourth-generation hybrid propulsion system, which consists of the 2.5L Atkinson cycle gas engine and an electronic continuously variable transmission. The front-wheel-drive hybrid model is projected to produce a combined output of 210 horsepower, while the PHEV is targeting an EPA-estimated range of 37 miles in electric-only mode and can be charged in 3.5 hours using a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Escape has regained its mini spare tire as standard equipment, but won’t be available with Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assist or MyKey features. The refreshed crossover will continue to be built at the Louisville Assembly plant in Kentucky, and order banks are open now. As Ford Authority reported earlier this month, production is currently scheduled to begin on December 12th, 2022, with the first deliveries slated for early 2023.
We’ll have more on the 2023 Escape soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Escape news and 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
At one time Ford has the nicest interiors, now their dash look and layout looks like a cheap molded plastic attempt by some backyard business.
Agreed and i have three 2020-2022 Fords in the driveway. Exterior design is about as excitng as the Ford Contour. Just look at the rugged looks of the segment Top Seller, Rav-4, Hyundai and KIA’s and of course the Mazda 5. If i was the designer responsible for the Escape this Generation I would either be awful at my job, I used the 1996 Taurus as my inspiration, or hopefully, I submitted an awesome design that got diluted into what is now the Escape. If this is harsh, the competition doesn’t care so get over it.
Not sure that I agree with your bland styling comment as the current Escape is slowly growing on me. Since everybody is making vehicles more “macho” with ever less-aerodynamic front ends, maybe something different will stand out! I do think this update probably looks better with the larger wheels, which help it look a bit “tougher”. Just as everybody doesn’t want a black or gray vehicle (though apparently 80% do) , maybe everybody doesn’t want a sharp-edged body with a barn-door front end!
Agreed. The Rav 4 still ventures in the Darth Vader look and had doubled down on it. Rented one for a weekend and it rode so crappy l wouldn’t touch it.
Even Mercedes has moved to a sleeker look with less folds and bends. I think they have done a great job on the Escape and the ride is smooth also, not jumpy like Rav. I’ll stay with the Ford look.
mini spare tire is a winner.
The article only provides the HP for the Hybrid, not the PHEV
If you are not one of the lucky few that snag one of the few remaining 2202 Escape PHEV in 2022, then you’ll get a 2023 PHEV in 2023 that will cost $3500 more and won’t qualify for the $7500 tax credit. So, you can either get a 2022 PHEV in 2022 or a 2023 PHEV in 2023 for an additional $10K+. No thanks.
Not everyone who buys can take full advantage of that $7500 tax credit. It is a non-refundable tax credit and doesn’t come off of the price of the car. For example, if a buyer only has a $4,500 tax liability for 2022, they can only use $4,500 of the $7,500. The remaining $3,000 evaporates in to the ether and is never realized. That tax credit isn’t really a compelling incentive to influence a car purchase. Spending $40,000 on a vehicle to get up to a $7,500 tax credit? Someone would need to have $54,000 in *taxable* income after their deductions to get close to qualifying for the full amount, and I don’t think people in that income bracket are clamoring to buy Escape PHEVs.
It’s pretty easy to have a $7500 total feral tax liability. After deductions, if your adjusted income is $66000, you have $7500 in federal tax liability. Not too many people looking to buy a new car costing $42000+ will or should be making less than that.
All wheel drive will be standard with the better 2.0 engine, I’ve still got bad vibes about ANY 3 cylinder engine from any manufacturer, this isn’t Europe where a majority of the miles drive do hover around the 50 mph number. And all wheel drive adds around $4,000.00 to the price, and you lose maybe 5 to 8 mpg in the process.
Plug in hybrid is a great compromise. That word belies the true value of this hybrid. I had the Ford Fusion Energi which is the plug in hybrid. Outstanding. My commute to work each day was in the pure EV mode. Trips, great fuel economy in the hybrid mode. Only draw back was the size of the EV battery taking so much truck space. In the Escape, not the issue.
This might well be my next purchase. Great fuel economy. Very long brake life. (Regenorating braking) Long oil changeintervals ( ICE runs less than 1/3 of the odometer miles indicated) .
Farley has already hinted these type of vehicles with go away. The Escape was already in the stages of a refresh. Look for more Mustang and Bronco branded vehicles in the future.
Is that the Vapor Blue Metallic? Looks much different than Ford’s build rendering – lighter and more of a blue-gray. If so it must look better in the light / in person.
Ugly AF!!!! Great idea Ford, get rid of the sporty and dependable Fusion for this pregnant looking stubby crossover. ….smh