2023 Ford Escape Review

As soon as it was released, the 2023 Ford Escape was already being praised for its new, better-looking exterior. The new front end seems to have more of a face with the sculpted upper grille as its nose, the lower sculpted grille as its mouth, and the LED-outlined headlamps as its eyes. A bolder hood tops off the revision.

The Platinum achieves a singular light signature with its unique LED toolbar running at the edge of the hood and connecting the LED headlight eyes. Standard on every model, the headlamps can turn on when needed at dusk. Furthermore, the automatic high beams can regulate light to match driving conditions.

Exterior colors include metallics in Atlas Blue, Rapid Red, Cinnabar Red, Iconic Silver, Carbonized Gray, Agate Black and Vapor Blue. You can find out about Escape prices with a quick quote. With No Bull pricing, you won’t need a Ford Escape sale to get a good deal.

The Escape is especially spacious. It has 42.4 inches of front legroom and 40.7 inches on the second row. Passenger volume in this compact SUV is a gracious and spacious 104 cubic feet.

Sliding second-row seats add flexibility with passengers and cargo. With the seats in their standard mode, there’s an extra 5.9 inches of rear legroom. If you need to increase cargo area, you can slide the rear seats and fold or split-fold.

Cargo room maxes out at 37.5 cubic feet when all five seats are in use. If you can fold the second row, that cargo space grows to 65.4 cubic feet.

S models have the standard touchscreen system and Ford CoPilot 360 technologies. The Escape Active adds more of what owners like. This includes an 8-way power chair for the driver and dual-zone automatic air conditioning controls.

Keyless entry is upgraded to Intelligent Access. This replaces the keyed ignition with push-button start. A power liftgate provides entry to the large cargo hold.

There are decorative differences as well, such as the chrome strip that dresses up the piano black grille. Ice Blue lighting dresses up the instrument panel cluster. There are many options for this trim, including the Panoramic Vista Roof.

The infotainment system is a smart 8-inch touchscreen. This LCD capacitive display lets you use touch or voice commands. Apple CarPlay makes it easy for iPhone users to access Siri and many of their apps. Android Auto adds its smart driving companion application and access to many apps.

The upgrade is a 13.2 touch screen with enhanced voice recognition. This gives it enhanced touch capability, such as touch, and Sync 4 advanced interface. A WiFi Hotspot is available with FordPass Connect.

The 2023 Ford Escape lineup starts off with a clever 1.5-L Ecoboost base engine and an 8 speed automatic transmission. Output is 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The 1.5-L EcoBoost FWD or AWD can tow 2,000 pounds.

If you need to tow more, you’ll want to look at the 2-L EcoBoost AWD. It can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Output is 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.

Front-wheel drive has four modes, including slippery, eco, normal and sport. To make it safer, curve control and torque vectoring control can utilize individual wheel braking to assist with curves or slippering surfaces.

All Escapes have electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) for the most precise response to driver commands. All wheel drive gives it an all-weather capability. It switches to sporty rear-wheel drive when it isn’t needed.

Available with the 1.5 Ecoboost or Hybrid powertrain, the ST Line has standard front-wheel drive. From the curb, you may pick these fun models out due to details such as the unique rear skid plate and a large single-wing rear spoiler. The piano black grille with chrome accent is replaced by the ST black mesh grille design.

The interior shows off its racy side with red stitching on its flat-bottom sport steering wheel. In fact, red stitching dresses up the cloth and ActiveX upholstery combination. An 8-way power seat is standard.

ST Line Select models have the 2.0L EcoBoost engine and offer the hybrid engine, but either way all-wheel drive is standard. The same red-stitched sport steering wheel is on board, but Ford adds a power-heat function. Heated front seats are also added to the standards list.

With a longer list of Ford Co-Pilot technologies, the ST Line Elite owner will have more tech tools. This includes evasive steering assist and intelligent cruise control. Exterior extras include rain-sensing wipers and memory-enabled side mirrors.

Cockpits are better stocked with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and built-in navigation system. The 8-inch touchscreen is replaced by the exciting 13.2-inch capacitive touch screen. The cabin also gets a wireless charging pad, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and ambient lighting.

With available leather upholstery, the Platinum can definitely be the dressiest Escape. The material has mini-perforation for breathability and a quilted design for beauty and visual interest. The heated front seats are a 6-way power passenger chair and a 10-way power driver’s chair.

The cabin is packed with high tech features such as the digital instrument panel and the largest touchscreen. It also has the SurroundView Camera and built-in navigation.

Standard on the 2023 Escape S, pre-collision assist is part of a Ford CoPilot360 system that scans the lane for pedestrians and slowing cars. It includes a forward collision warning and related autobrake. Watching for danger alongside the vehicle, standard BLIS includes a blind spot monitor to help ensure safer lane changes.

Some models are equipped with Evasive Steering Assist. This feature provides extra support when the system reacts and the driver is having to maneuver around a vehicle ahead to avoid a collision

All Escape trim levels also come equipped with lane-watch safety features. A Lane Keeping Alert utilizes steering wheel vibrations to prompt the driver to straight up. A Lane Keeping Aid can help get the vehicle back to the lane’s center. The Driver Alert warns the driver of repeated drifting.

Intelligent Active Cruise Control works within the slow-stop-and-go traffic patterns to maintain the driver’s set speed. This system benefits from lane centering assistance and speed sign recognition.

A rearview camera provides the first line of defense when parking. Another valuable standard on all Escapes, the rear cross traffic sensors can warn the driver if traffic is approaching. Many models offer rear parking sensors for even more assistance.

Some models offer the 360-degree camera system. With cameras watching front, back and sides, drivers can see anything that may be of danger to the vehicle.

The ultimate tool is Active Park Assist. When equipped with this system, drivers can use it for semi-automated parallel and reverse perpendicular parking. Park Out Assist helps the driver get the Escape out of a tight spot.

With so many models in the 2023 Escape lineup, there’s bound to be a good fit for your lifestyle. Check out our inventory and be in touch with your questions. As always, you are invited for a test drive, even if you are just window-shopping!