Ford Escape Sales Up 10 Percent In Q3 2023

Ford Escape sales increased in the United States, while decreasing in Argentina, Colombia and Mexico during Q3 2023.

• Note that the Escape is sold as the Kuga in various international markets.

Ford Escape Sales - Q3 2023 - United States

In the United States, Ford Escape deliveries totaled 38,774 units in Q3 2023, an increase of about 10 percent compared to 35,391 units sold in Q3 2022.

In the first nine months of the year, Escape sales decreased about 5 percent to 103,613 units.

Ford Escape Sales - Q3 2023 - Mexico

In Mexico, Ford Escape deliveries totaled 715 units in Q3 2023, a decrease of about 31 percent compared to 1,043 units sold in Q3 2022.

In the first nine months of the year, Escape sales decreased about 37 percent to 1,462 units.

Ford Escape Sales - Q3 2023 - Colombia

In Colombia, Ford Escape deliveries totaled 359 units in Q3 2023, a decrease of about 55 percent compared to 792 units sold in Q3 2022.

In the first nine months of the year, Escape sales decreased about 52 percent to 696 units.

Ford Kuga Sales - Q3 2023 - Argentina

In Argentina, Ford Kuga deliveries totaled 3 units in Q3 2023, a decrease of about 98 percent compared to 120 units sold in Q3 2022.

In the first nine months of the year, Kuga sales decreased about 97 percent to 7 units.

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

In the third quarter of 2023, Ford Escape sales expanded 10 percent to 38,774 units, enough to slot into seventh place in its crowded competitive segment, once again in the upper third of compacts.

Comparatively, the Honda CR-V led the segment’s contenders with 98,654 sales last quarter, up 59 percent year-over-year. The Toyota RAV4 finished a distant second with 75,919 sales, up eight percent, followed by the Nissan Rogue with a 49 percent increase to 63,346 sales. The Hyundai Tucson finished fourth with a 27 percent increase to 52,589 sales; the Subaru Forester saw sales increase 58 percent to 45,035 units; while the Chevy Equinox (see running Chevy Equinox sales) made 348,291 sales, outperforming the Ford Escape. In eighth, Subaru Crosstrek sales slipped 15 percent to 38,502 units, followed by the Mazda CX-5 in ninth with 35,834 sales, up five percent. The Kia Sportage finished off the top 10 with 35,695 sales, down five percent, followed by the Ford Bronco Sport in 11^th, moving 33,232 units last quarter. All other segment entries sold fewer than 20,000 units on an individual basis.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream C-Segment Crossovers - Q3 2023 - USA

In terms of segment share, the CR-V earned 16 percent share, up four percentage points. The RAV4 gathered 12 percent, down one percentage point, followed by the Rogue’s 10 percent share, up two percentage points, and the Tucson with nine percent share, down one percentage point. The Forester earned seven percent share, up two percentage points, and the Equinox captured eight percent share, down one percentage point. The Ford Escape, Subaru Crosstrek, and Mazda CX-5 each accounted for six percent share, each losing one percentage point. All other competitors gathered five percent share or less on an individual basis.

Overall, the mainstream C-segment crossover bracket expanded 18 percent to 617,159 units, meaning that Ford Escape sales slightly underperformed the segment average.

It is also worth noting that Ford now fields two vehicles in this segment: the Escape and the Bronco Sport. Combining sales of both models gives The Blue Oval 72,006 deliveries, good for approximately 12 percent segment share. While that exceeds the six percent segment share held by the Escape alone, it still doesn’t surpass the 16 percent share held by the RAV4.

Sales Numbers - Ford Mainstream Compact Crossovers - Q3 2023 - United States

The Ford Authority Take

The increase in Ford Escape sales during Q3 2023 is an encouraging result for FoMoCo’s compact crossover. Considering that production at the Louisville Assembly plant ramped up significantly in August, the crossover is rolling off the line at a healthy pace to keep up with demand.

However, that could soon change. The Escape could fall victim to UAW strikes, as pointed out by Ford CEO Jim Farley.

“A bad deal would threaten midsize or expensive larger vehicles like Escape and Explorer,” Farley said. “We’d have to choose to cut future investments in those products, restructure and reduce our headcount throughout the company, including UAW workers.”

As Ford Authority previously reported, the 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line series has proven to be a big hit with consumers, right in line with what Ford expected. Increased interest in the new variant will likely continue to be a boon for Ford Escape sales as it soldiers into its 2024 model year.

As a reminder, the 2023 refresh brought a host of updates to the crossover, including a revamped trim level lineup that now consists of Base, Active, PHEV, ST-Line and Platinum levels. The aforementioned ST-Line brings a sportier look to the crossover, including a black mesh grille, rear-wing spoiler and monochromatic exterior with matching painted surfaces. The refresh also introduced Sync 4 into the lineup.