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Ford Escape ST Still Not Happening, Despite Existence Of ST-Line

When the 2023 Ford Escape debuted earlier this week, it ushered in a totally new trim level lineup for the refreshed crossover, one that includes the addition of the new ST-Line. To date, Ford has offered ST-Line versions of a number of its models, including the Ford Explorer, Ford Edge, Ford Fiesta, Focus, and Puma, so this didn’t come as a huge surprise. However, it is notable that while those other models feature the same styling updates as their ST counterparts – albeit without the performance enhancements – no Ford Escape ST currently exists, and it seems that one won’t be happening in the future, either.

“Again it’s not a priority for this customer, we’ve already got all the styling in this package [ST-Line] and a pretty competitive 2.0L engine,” Michael Geany, chief program engineer for the Escape and Kuga, explained to Ford Authority executive editor, Alex Luft, in a recent interview.

Ford’s ST-Line has long provided shoppers with a way to get the sporty ST aesthetic without having to pay the extra money required to secure one of those high-performance models, though historically speaking, it has only been available on vehicles that have an actual ST counterpart in the lineup. Thus, many speculated that a Ford Escape ST might also be joining the crossover’s lineup, but it simply isn’t in the cards, as Ford Authority first reported in April 2020.

Thus, this makes the Escape the lone Blue Oval vehicle that currently offers an ST-Line model without a corresponding ST version. However, the Escape is also unique in that the ST-Line trim is actually three distinct trim levels – ST-Line, ST-Line Select, and ST-Line Elite, each with its own unique series of features. As Ford Authority reported yesterday, FoMoCo has high hopes for this trim level lineup, as it expects it to account for around 50 percent of total Escape sales moving forward.

We’ll have more on the 2023 Escape soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Escape news and comprehensive Ford news coverage.

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Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

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Comments

  1. This literally makes no sense!!! Make it with the 2.3L, or make it a higher output 2.0L. I DON’T CARE, JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!

    Reply
  2. Meh.
    All sheaux and no geaux.
    Typical.

    Eliminate ALL your performance cars (sans Mustang GT) and replace them with 3 cylinder junk.
    Actually ALL their cars (sans Mustang GT) have turned into people movers with no soul.
    Drones.
    Focus RS-ST, Fiesta ST, SHO, etc gone.
    FFS, the Lincoln has the same platform with a 2.3L turbo (or did).
    Bad move Ford.

    Reply
  3. The Escape is still available with a 2.0L 4cyl turbo, and will do 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. That is more than acceptable for a vehicle in this class and price range.

    The Lincoln with the 2.3L turbo is less virtually the same in the 0-60 run. Most Corsair reviews online recommend not paying the price to upgrade to the 2.3. The price to performance ratio is very low.

    Ford isn’t shorting anyone anything with the Escape ST-Line. You can end up with an Escape with the ST looks that will still run to 60 in 5.7 seconds…which would give the Edge ST a run for its money.

    Reply
  4. ST look without the performance options? What’s the point? All Ford is doing here is diluting the ST moniker. Call it something else!!! Do diminish the original intent of the ST option. If you must, just retire the ST moniker for now. They did with the Focus RS, now would be a good time to do it for the ST if this is how they’re going to handle it.

    Reply
  5. The Dodge Hornet GLH will need high performance competition and Ford has an opportunity to provide it.

    Reply

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