We’re spending a week with a 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite all-wheel drive hybrid. The 2023 Ford Escape lineup is completely refreshed, introducing Sync 4 and a completely reimagined model range. This is the first example we’ve had the ability to sample.
This particular 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite features Carbonized Gray Metallic paint with an Ebony leather interior, complete with red stitching. Starting MSRP for the base ST-Line Elite is $39,460. Additionally this Escape was ordered with floor liners and carpeted floor mats ($200), and the Premium Technology Package ($1,910).
The Premium Technology Package includes the following:
- Active Park Assist 2.0
- B&O Sound System by Bang and Olufsen, which features ten speakers, including subwoofer
- HD radio
- Head-up display
- Leather trimmed seats with quilting design and mini-perforation with red stitching
When destination and delivery is factored in, the overall cost of the Escape is $43,065.
For those unaware, the 2023 Ford Escape hybrid features the automaker’s 2.5L hybrid powertrain, which puts out a combined 192 system horsepower and is pared with the E-CVT transmission. It is rated at 42 miles per gallon under city driving, 36 miles for highway driving, and 39 miles combined.
We received this 2023 Ford Escape yesterday and will have it until July 6th, so now is your chance to ask us any questions you have about the 2023 Ford Escape hybrid. Go ahead and drop us a line in the comment section below, and we’ll get you the answers when we can. What do you want to know about the Escape?
Ready… set… go!
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Comments
Is the B&O stereo worth the upgrade over the standard system?
I haven’t experienced the standard system, but I listened to quite a bit of different music with the B&O system and thought it sounded good.
I’m loving my new 2023 Escape and the non-leather seats, but dearly miss the B&O system I had on the Edge. The sound is fine on the standard system but not special and the plastic door panels vibrate with any significant bass.
The entire front design is wholistically bold and beautiful. Engaging eye-sweeps all around!
Does it make all the funny little clicks and pops that my maverick makes?
No, and I know what you’re talking about, because I had a Maverick XL hybrid as a loaner last year that made those noises.
Why hasn’t Ford followed( should have been the leader) in having included AWD in
All Hybrid models. Honda and Ford appear to be the only major brands that do not include it and charge extra. A Honda CRV Sport Touring AWD Hybrid cost less than an Escape Hybrid. Ford has produced Hybrid models since the 1990,s , They should be the leader in Tech, Quality and Price. They do not lead in any of these areas. I also question Why introduce a 2023 model in late May of 2023, Honda in delivering 2024 CRV,s Today July 2023. The Escape looks very nice but already has had a recall and stop production for one week. Mr. Farley needs to have a long discussion with the Design, Engineering and Production Managers . If they want me to purchase another Escape they need to win my business with a longer warranty, higher quality and a full no charge maintenance program for the First three years of ownership. If Quality is Job One then prove it!
Some (many?) people prefer FWD and the extra 2-3mpg that provides.
The interior quality on the 2020 thru 2022 models was panned by multiple reviewers as being of lesser quality than other midsize SUVs. Is that still the case?
I think it’s on par with the rest of the class. I was in a 2023 Honda CR-V over the weekend and didn’t think it was any better in terms of quality.
I spent some time in one at an auto show.
The interior is far below what I would expect for a $40,000 vehicle.
Better off in an Audi Q3.
Exterior is nice, good redesign.
Is it comparable to the competition in its class.
Is this AWD hybrid flat towable behind a motorhome? Should show a “neutral tow” capability in the owners manual.
Yeah, it has a neutral tow mode.
How to make the MyView show only the items you’ve selected without having to go in and select one of them each time starting the car. When I start my 2023 it shows me 4 items of its choosing. Then if I go in and select any one item of my choice it changes and shows me the 4 items I selected. Every time the car is started.
It is irritating to have to set the view each time you start up. In addition, the touchscreen display seems to start in a random screen. Also, I would like the mode (eco, normal, sport, or slippery) to either start up in the last used mode, or let me select the startup mode in the menus. ( I want it to start in Eco, but it always starts in normal.)
I set my options when I first got my elite hybrid and have never had to touch them again.
You may not be following the correct sequence to save.
Also, my navigation screen starts up on whatever screen I shut it off on.
MyView remembers what items I selected to display, sorry to hear it’s not working for you.
How do I get the navigation instructions to repeat? I have a severe hearing problem and I often do not hear the instructions. The Quick Reference Guide states “to repeat an instruction, press the turn indicator”. Where is the turn indicator? I have searched all over. Do they mean turn signal lever? Thank you in advance for your assistance!
I’m sorry Don, I have not been able to figure this out either.
Are the turn signals finally on the heads up display?
Do you mean displaying the next turn, using the Ford built-in navigation? YES.
You turn this on by checking the box for navigation under the menu for HUD…Content.
Too many recalls on my 2020 Escape hybrid SE, otherwise it’s a decent value with excellent fuel economy!
Does it have driver memory seat?
Yes, it has driver memory seat, depending upon trim level and if you have the optional Tech Package. If you also have the head-up display option, it remembers it’s position.
has the redo of the 2024 Escape improved the ride over past models
I like the ride of this Escape, and it seems like the hybrid is a little quieter and smoother.
Is there a way to display range? By range, I mean approximate miles left based upon gallons in the tank and charge level of the battery on the hybrid model.
Yes, range is always on the bottom of the 12.3 inch instrument cluster.
I’d be interested to know When you slow down gradually to a stop when in electric mode to you get a grinding noise.
I have heard it’s happening to a number of people
And also with the maverick hybrid.
Nope, no grinding noise in the Escape I have.
are you talking about the slight clicking in the front that decreases in frequency as the vehicle slows? I wouldn’t call it grinding but it is clearly there in my 2023 Hybrid, AWD.
I turned on my “power flow” app and watched it and it seems happen during deceleration and the flow changes to AWD regen braking.
If I am real gentle on deceleration like rolling up to a stop light, or braking hard, I don’t hear it and it seem to be only a specific part of the time of deceleration.
I’m guessing it might be a solenoid firing as it engages and disengages the regen motor
I ordered a hybrid 2023 Escape, and was about to take ownership, but also heard the clicking noise on slowing or cornering….I was told it will need a new axle. Anyone else hear this? Nervous about signing on the line…mine is a FWD.
CiCi
The heads up display is kind of useless all it shows you is your speed and if you have your cruise on shows you the lane centering and you’re set speed. if you turn on predictive speed sign, it will show you the speed limit, but only when the cruise is on. Seems pretty useless to me.
For the predictive speed sign is a terrible feature I was doing 65 and the speed limit dropped to 40 and it slammed on the brakes and slowed me to 40. The guy behind me almost hit me.
This is a serious issue. IMO, automatic braking should only be activated when a collision is imminent. The label for this setting is “Predictive Speed Assist”. You can set a tolerance of +/- 20, but this does not solve Joe’s issue described above. I am turning mine to OFF.
On the good side, there is also a separate item “Speed Limit Assist”, which can be set to give you a warning if you are over the speed limit, and you can set a tolerance. I don’t know the details of what the warning looks like.
These settings are under FEATURES…DRIVERS ASSISTANCE, on the 13.2 inch touchscreen.
Does the middle seat in the back have bad leather creasing after it has been folded down for a long period of time? Leather finish
Also is there a way to turn off Hill Decent Assist and is there a way to get Waze or Google maps to display direction in the HUD and guage cluster with CP? Only apple maps works for CarPlay. No problems in Android Auto
Did Ford improve the rear blind (rag) which over time fell out when opening the tailgate
Hi, gang. We’ve had a ’23 Escape PHEV for about 2-1/2 months now, bought gas twice so far and are over 85 MPG; ran about 45 MPG on a trip when we had run out of the big battery. Pretty solid. C mentioned middle back seat creasing, mine seems to do that too; not leather. Anyway, not only does the PHEV get a tax credit, but its sticker estimates fuel savings of $3,750 over 5 years vs. average new vehicle. And its price is in the same range as this one (in article) – haven’t figured out why PHEVs in general don’t get more attention – we did have to wait 6 months from our order, which might be one reason (they’re hard to find). Thanks for the article!
i would have gotten the PHEV except for one thing, no AWD. prefer that for the deep winter snow we get here. if/when they offer AWD on the PHEV i’ll look at getting one. the ICE and standard hybrid both offer AWD.
Does the 2023 2.0L now have port injection as well as GTDI?
I believe the 2.0 is unchanged for 2023.
Well I believe in fairies but that doesn’t make it true!
There is a guy on YT that shows the port injectors above the fuel rail and claims it’s port injection. The engine certainly looks different.
Well he’s wrong, it’s just direct injection.
Any idea when the 2023 retail order banks close? I know the PHEV banks closed a long time ago.
I placed an order for this car nearly a year ago and it still hasn’t started production. Any update on production?
I want to order an Escape hybrid, 2024, but I worry as to how long it will take for me to for it for it to be delivered. Any ideas ???
I just ordered a 2023 Hybrid. Should be here in less than 2 months.
What does “ready” on the cluster mean on On the Ford Escape Plantinum Hybrid 2023?