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Ford Facelifted Escape SUV For 2023 Model Year Unveiled And Its More Efficient Than Before
Ford announced the facelifted 2023 Escape, which has an eye on both sleek aesthetics and modern efficiency. Both the exterior and the interior received a makeover, plus there’s a new advanced technology to play with and to help keep you safe.
In place of the outgoing crossover’s S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims, the Escape now adopts a more name-based structure to denote its models. Starting off the lineup is the aptly named Base, followed by the Active and Platinum trims. After that, there’s the new ST-Line, which comes in three flavors: ST-Line, ST-Line Select, and ST-Line Elite. Finally, there’s the Plug-In Hybrid, which, as the name suggests, is the PHEV trim of the Escape.
Ford’s design boss Amko Leenarts says “not every customer wants a rugged, boxy SUV,” hence why the 2023 Escape’s appearance remains car-like. Discreet styling tweaks have been made on the outside where the new LED headlights are standard across the range. Standard on the ST-Line Elite and optional on the ST-Line Select are larger 19-inch alloys to give the compact crossover more road presence.
The interior has been updated as well, primarily with new instruments and infotainment screens. As standard, the Escape gets a pair of 8-inch screens, and better-equipped models get a 12.3-inch instrument screen and a 13.2-inch infotainment screen. Ford Sync 4 is installed along with the ability for updates to be uploaded over the air. Furthermore, there is now standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and the available Co-Pilot 360 safety suite will include automatic emergency braking functionality when turning in intersections and a blind-spot warning system that can nudge the wheel back slightly as an additional warning about a possible obstacle in the blind-spot.
Four powertrain options carry over from before, starting with the 180-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder. An optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder brings the heat with 250 ponies and two different hybrids are available if you’re looking to preserve fuel. The first hybrid is a traditional setup that uses a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder and an electric motor; a plug-in-hybrid option adds an 11.2-kWh battery pack that is said to hold enough juice to power the Escape for up to 37 miles on electric power. Both hybrids make 210 horsepower, an 11-hp drop from last year’s PHEV model.
