The 2023 Ford Escape is the Hybrid to Consider

Photo Source: Ford

The 2023 Ford Escape compact crossover SUV has been given a makeover to keep it competitive in its market segment. On the face of it, there is very little wrong with the Escape. It provides above-average towing capability, rides comfortably, and offers customers a choice of powertrains. For the 192-horsepower hybrid Ford Escape model, competition is fierce, and against a formidable rival such as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the Ford was beginning to feel a bit mundane and dated, hence the facelift and upgrade. The automaker is expecting that the refresh will stimulate sales and revive interest in the perfectly capable Escape. If efficiency carries significance for drivers, the thrifty hybrid certainly has many characteristics in its favor.

The Refresh

The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid variant has a starting price tag of $33,340 MSRP (Plus destination fee) with the ST-Line trim. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, on the other hand, begins at approximately $30,225 MSRP (Plus destination fee). Nonetheless, the Escape Hybrid might include enough value to justify the marginally higher starting price. For example, all the trims in the 2023 Escape range are renamed, and the previous SE, SEL, and Titanium trims have been replaced by the new sporty ST-Line in three trims and Platinum. 

Along with the new trim names come sharper, new aesthetics with a redesigned front fascia boasting a larger grille and slimmer new headlights, a tidied-up rear end with a hidden liftgate release, and several new wheel designs. The Escape crossover’s new “coast to coast” LED light bar above the grille is fitted as standard to the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and to the Platinum and ST-Line Elite hybrid electric vehicles.

Power Within the Hybrid

Equipped with a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a lithium-ion battery, and an electric motor, the vehicle can accelerate up to 192 horsepower while producing 155 pound-feet of torque driven through a continuously variable transmission. The four-cylinder engine propels the Escape Hybrid from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 7.7 seconds. Moreover, the hybrid can be front- or all-wheel drive, but most trims provide it only with the latter. With a very smooth delivery and more power, the hybrid feels quicker than the SUV powered by the 1.5-liter engine.

Indeed, the Ford Escape Hybrid has plenty of power for passing others on the highway and merging into traffic. It can also tow up to 1,500 pounds, so it can seamlessly haul smaller trailers. The Escape Hybrid does not embarrass itself and is competent on the road, riding with an absorbent composure and insulating its occupants from bumps and vibrations. While it is worth noting that handling is not very agile, thanks to the soft suspension, it is expected that the majority of crossover drivers will be elated with the compromise and prefer the comfort approach – especially with the well-tuned steering that still provides some feel. After all, even though the “Escape Hybrid isn’t the most powerful performance vehicle out there, it is meant to be a reliable everyday driver, and it’s more than enough for what you’ll need to get through the day.” 

The SUV corners a little more eagerly than the standard Escape, presumably due to a lower center of gravity, and the electric assistance is smooth and instant. In other words, it feels perfectly adequate, while the blended braking is unobtrusive and well-judged, making the Escape Hybrid easy to drive – and possibly the best-balanced Escape a consumer can buy. The continuously variable transmission mostly does its job in the background and eliminates the relative indecisiveness of the regular gasoline-fueled Escape crossover’s eight-speed automatic transmission.

Infotainment

The electrical architecture of the automobile has been overhauled as well, outfitted with the cloud-connected new-generation Sync 4 infotainment system with over-the-air updates and a large, new 12.3-inch touchscreen on the top two trims. Below them, an eight-inch screen is now standard on all other trims.

The Blue Oval is constantly pursuing innovation and improvement. That said, new customers are always welcome at NYE Ford, especially if they are expanding their horizons and giving electric vehicles a try. We are thrilled to help in any way we can to answer any pesky questions, so come on by and see what we have to offer.