2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape arrives with a refreshed exterior design, new tech features, an updated lineup, and revised engines. The extensive changes fall short of being a full redesign but constitute a large update. The change should make Escape more competitive in the landscape, which has seen quite a few options get redesigned in the past few years.

The Escape lineup can be split into three main choices based on powertrains. The standard Escape is available in six trims: base, Active, ST-line, ST-line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. Prices range from $28,995 to $39,955 with destination. Ford offers the Escape Hybrid in four trims: ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. Pricing for the Escape Hybrid starts at $30,975 and goes up to $39,955. A plug-in hybrid model is only available in a single trim that costs $39,995.

There are four different available engines with the Escape. The two gas-only engines are turbocharged units, with the standard motor being a three-cylinder engine and the upgrade being a four-cylinder engine. Ford also offers the Escape with a hybrid powertrain and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. All of the Escape’s powertrains are available with all-wheel drive, but the PHEV is front-wheel drive only.

The EPA has not tested a few of the Escape’s powertrains yet.

The standard three-cylinder engine is standard on the base and Active trims. The EcoBoost four-cylinder becomes standard on the ST-Line and above. We think the turbocharged four-cylinder engine is worth the upgrade, as it brings a major performance upgrade and standard AWD. Of course, it’s also the least efficient engine in the lineup. Both turbo engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The hybrid powertrain is available on the ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite, while the plug-in hybrid powertrain is only available on the range-topping Plug-In Hybrid trim. Both electrified engines come with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The PHEV offers up to 37 miles of all-electric range for some extra versatility.

Every Escape offers seating for up to five people. Cargo capacity depends on the powertrain. The gas-fed turbocharged engines offer up to 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. Because of the electrified powertrain, the Escape Hybrid and Escape PHEV have 34.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and a total of 60.8 cubic feet of cargo space.

Ford’s updated Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced safety features is standard on the 2023 Escape. The compact SUV comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring.

The available Tech Pack #1 costs $995 and includes adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, lane centering assist, evasive steering assist, and rear parking sensors. The Tech Pack #2 brings intersection assist and a surround-view parking camera. These packages are available on the Active trim. These features are standard on the Platinum trim.

For 2023, the Escape now comes standard with an eight-inch digital instrument cluster and an eight-inch touchscreen. The compact SUV features Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system. Standard features include six audio speakers, a Wi-Fi hotspot, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The available Tech Pack #1 brings a 13.2-inch touchscreen and navigation to the Active trim. The Tech Pack #2 adds these features plus a Bang&Olufsen 10-speaker audio system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a wireless charging pad.

The 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster become standard on the Platinum trim.

The standard Escape starts things off with a rear spoiler, LED lighting, air conditioning, automatic headlights, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, and cruise control.

Stepping up to the Active trim brings dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, remote keyless entry, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and 17-inch wheels.

The available Cold Weather Package brings heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, a heated steering wheel, and a remote start. It costs $695. A panoramic roof is $1,595.

The sporty-looking ST-Line brings standard AWD, sport suspension, LED fog lights, black roof rails, a flat-bottom steering wheel, partial vinyl and cloth upholstery, and 18-inch wheels.

The available hybrid powertrain costs $3,500.

The ST-Line Select adds LED fog lights, a remote start, one-touch up/down power windows, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and the features from the cold weather package.

The Platinum trim gains upscale features like LED headlights, chrome exterior trim, rain-sensing windshield wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, a six-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and 19-inch wheels.

The available Premium Technology Package costs $1,910. It adds a head-up display, leather upholstery, and a B&O audio system.

The Escape ST-Line Elite builds off of the ST-Line Select with a lot of the same standard features as the Platinum trim, but with the sportier look and handling of the ST-Line.

The range-topping Plug-In Hybrid trim is the only one in the lineup to come with the PHEV powertrain. Beyond its PHEV powertrain, the Escape Plug-In Hybrid shares a lot of the same features as the Active trim.

The optional Plug-In Hybrid Premium Package costs $4,530 and includes heated front seats, ambient interior lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a B&O audio system, a head-up display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, a memory system for the driver’s seat and exterior mirrors, a universal garage door opener, and keyless entry.

Compare Escape Trims Side-By-Side