The compact crossover Ford Escape is an important vehicle in Ford’s lineup, competing in a highly popular segment that includes other perennial favorites like the Honda CR-V, the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Sportage, and the Subaru Forester.

What’s New for the 2023 Ford Escape

Ford redesigned the Escape for the 2020 model year, and has kept changes minimal since. The 2023 model year brings a new look, however, as the popular compact SUV gains a new face and updated trim level names. The S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims from the year before have been replaced by the Active, ST-Line, and Platinum. Ford also offers a separate plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.

Design

The new Escape more closely resembles the larger Ford Edge. Its grille is wider, and it’s available with an LED light bar that stretches between the headlights. The new ST-Line model gets black exterior styling cues and exclusive wheel designs. LED reflector headlights are standard, along with 18- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim.

Powertrain

Ford offers four powertrain choices for the 2023 Escape, depending on the model. The base engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder making 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The ST-Line and Platinum models come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The Escape Hybrid gets a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor with a combined 192 horsepower. The Escape PHEV also uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but its combined output lands at 210 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available, but the two hybrids get a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Interior

The 2023 Ford Escape offers a surprisingly nice interior, with an attractive design and upscale materials. Cloth upholstery comes standard, but Ford also offers synthetic leather in the top Platinum trim. The back seat bench slides up to 6 inches, allowing more room for cargo or passengers’ legs, depending on the need. The base Escape comes with a black cloth interior, while the other trims offer a choice between black and gray.

Technology

An 8-inch touchscreen comes standard, but higher trims are available with a 13.2-inch display. Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment software comes standard, bringing a responsive and colorful interface with easy-to-navigate menus and clearly labeled buttons. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with Bluetooth, USB inputs, SiriusXM radio, and HD radio. Ford offers an upgraded B&O 10-speaker sound system, a head-up display, and a 12.3-inch configurable digital gauge cluster.

Safety

The 2022 Ford Escape earned a Top Safety Pick award in testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the 2023 model dropped the designation because of its performance in the organization’s new side crash testing. The IIHS uses more force in its side tests to simulate the impacts of heavy modern vehicles and requires that test subjects obtain “Good” or “Acceptable” scores to earn a Top Safety Pick award.

Available safety kit on the 2023 Escape includes Ford’s Co-Pilot360 system, which brings forward-collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure alerts, and more.

Pricing

As of this writing, pricing for the 2023 Ford Escape starts at $30,140, which includes a $1,495 destination charge and a $645 acquisition fee. The top Escape PHEV starts at $42,640. Buyers can upgrade with wireless charging, additional safety features, and more tech.