Having made its debut just last week, the refreshed 2023 Ford Escape offers up revised styling inside and out, as well as a totally overhauled trim level lineup with some new additions – chiefly, the ST-Line series and Active trim, among various other changes. However, even this new model isn’t immune to ongoing global supply chain issues, it seems, as sources familiar with the matter have told Ford Authority that the 2023 Ford Escape has dropped the hands-free liftgate feature prior to the start of production, a change that also impacts the 2023 Ford Explorer, as Ford Authority reported yesterday.
2023 Ford Escape production has left out the hands-free foot-activated liftgate from the lineup, a feature that was previously set to be included in the Tech Pack #2, which is optional on Active, ST-Line Select, and PHEV trims and was also set to be standard equipment on the ST-Line Elite and Platinum. This change does not impact the availability of the power liftgate, however, which is standard on Active trim and above.
This change does impact how the 2023 Ford Escape was initially configured, however, and with order banks for the refreshed crossover having been open since mid-October, it’s currently unclear if some early builds will come equipped with the hands-free liftgate, or if it’s being removed entirely prior to the start of production, which is currently slated to begin at the Louisville Assembly plant on December 12th, 2022, barring any setbacks.
In addition to a number of changes as part of its mid-cycle refresh, the 2023 Escape is also getting more expensive, as Ford Authority reported last month. However, with the changes to the crossover’s trim level lineup, it’s difficult to compare it with the current 2022 model in that regard, and at best, the price increases are relatively minor.
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
The hands free lift gate had so many issues . Own two vehicles with it and the rear hatch sometimes opens on it own when we are 3 ft away , or it closes on you when reaching it to remove items . Good riddance to that feature, it never worked anyway.
I have the hands free liftgate on my 2020 Escape Titanium AWD Hybrid. It never works reliably. It failed to work as the sales rep tried to explain the feature when I picked up my brand new vehicle. It continues to fail most of the time. I don’t know how Ford ever approved that feature in the first place.
Mine works about 50% of the time. Based on the current state of Ford, I consider that pretty good.
I’m ok with this too. I’ve had my kids sitting in the rear of mine and just their feet dangling will cause the hatch to close. As long as we have a power lift gate with key fob control and a button on the inside, I’m good to go.
I have a 2022 SEL Escape mileage is fantastic it’s all wheel drive on average between 28 and 35 in the city can’t say enough about this automobile the best escape I’ve ever purchased paint is excellent never had a problem got 7500 miles on the car drives and rides like a luxury automobile here again it is a 2022 SEL all wheel drive thank you for Ford Motor Company don’t need a foot liftgate inside the driver side push button push button on the lid in the rear can’t wait for the 23 good evening be better I’m sure
Unreliable and frustrating option, good riddance
I have a older model(06) of the Ford escape! I love it. But would love a newer one!