2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-in Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-In started life with delays and recalls, but the efficient compact crossover offers a compelling mix of fuel economy, performance, and tech. While the standard Escape and Escape Hybrid are offered in multiple trims, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant comes in a single, well-equipped package.
What’s New for the 2023 Ford Escape
The whole Escape lineup got a new look for 2023, with a reshaped bumper and a larger grille. A larger 13.2-inch touchscreen comes standard for the new model year.
Design
Ford has moved the Escape from its somewhat awkwardly styled previous generation to a much more modern, grown-up look. The 2023 refresh gives the compact crossover even more curb appeal, bringing it in line with the larger and more expensive Ford Edge.
Powertrain
The plug-in hybrid powertrain uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors to produce 210 horsepower. Acceleration is decent but not impressive, with the run from zero to 60 mph taking almost eight seconds. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comes standard, but the Escape PHEV is only offered with front-wheel drive (FWD).
Thanks to its larger battery over the standard hybrid, the Escape PHEV offers an all-electric range of 37 miles. It’s also the most efficient Escape model, with city fuel economy ratings of up to 44 mpg.
Interior
The 2023 Escape’s interior is a nice place to spend time, with plenty of space for people in both rows. Partial vinyl and cloth upholstery comes standard, but buyers can add leather with the $4,350 PHEV Premium Package. An eight-way power driver’s seat and folding second-row seats are standard, and the sliding second row allows taller people or larger items to ride with ease.
Technology
The standard Escape and Escape Hybrid come with an 8-inch touchscreen by default but can be upgraded to a 13.2-inch unit. The Escape PHEV gets the larger display as standard kit. It offers Ford SYNC 4 infotainment software, when runs flawlessly on the large screen, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM radio, HD radio, and more. The new interface also brings over-the-air (OTA) updates, allowing Ford to refine existing features and add new functions over time.
Safety
The 2023 Ford Escape missed out on a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), falling from the high marks set by its predecessor. That’s not an indication that it’s less safe, however, as the lower scores are due to the IIHS’s new side crash test. The updated format uses more force in testing, and a vehicle must earn a “Good” or “Acceptable” score to qualify for a Top Safety Pick award. The Escape’s “Marginal” rating in the category knocked it out of contention.
Standard safety kit is plentiful, as Ford equips automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane keeping, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warnings, a rearview camera, and road-departure warnings.
Pricing
A single trim level makes pricing the 2023 Ford Escape PHEV simple. The SUV starts at $40,500, which reaches $42,640 after the $1,495 destination and $645 acquisition fees.
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2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-in Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Pandora internet radio · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 80 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leatherette
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: rear · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB-C front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.91
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor miles per charge: 37 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 163 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6250 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 155 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 6250
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
EV battery capacity: 14.4 kWh
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: SYNC · Infotainment screen size: 13.2 in. · Smartphone integration: wireless Apple CarPlay
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 8 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: black
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: intersection/junction turn · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash · Traffic sign recognition: adaptive speed limiting
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: vinyl · Upholstery accents: cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.1
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 27 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 23 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: FordPass Connect · Smart device app function: maintenance status · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer