The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Is Better Than You Think
We’re celebrating the Ford Escape Hybrid because it’s finally getting the respect it deserves. It’s always been a great SUV to consider, with an excellent fuel economy. It just looked a little plain and didn’t have the best reliability rating. Now the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid has fresh updates that you seriously need to consider.
What’s new for the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
Don’t call it a comeback. The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid was never gone! It just wasn’t as spicy as it is now, thanks to a fresh redesign. Now it’s up there with rivals such as the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid.
So what exactly changed? Well, for starters, the 2023 Escape Hybrid got a glow-up. It received an attractive makeover with a revised front end that replaces the old happy bug-eyed look with a more confident style.
The LED headlights have a new shape, the grille is slightly larger, and the front bumper has a boxier shape. Overall, it’s a more upscale look. Plus, higher trims in the lineup have an LED light that spans the width of the grille.
To highlight its new style, the Escape added Base, Active, Platinum, and ST-Line trims. The Escape ST-Line has body-colored cladding, 18- or 19-inch wheels, and black faux leather upholstery with red accent stitching.
How much power does the 2023 Escape Hybrid have?
The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an electric motor to generate 210 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. According to Edmunds, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds, which is adequate. It could be sportier.
However, the 2023 Escape Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city and up to 44 mpg on the highway. This beats the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which gets an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city and up to 38 mpg on the highway.
You can opt for the Escape PHEV, which adds an 11.2-kWh battery pack to provide 37 miles of electric range. It also can achieve an EPA-estimated 105 MPGe. It reached 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.
If you stick to gas, the 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine cranks out 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine cranks out 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.9 seconds.
Did the 2023 Escape Hybrid get new tech?
Yes, the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid is loaded with new tech. The entry-level model has a new 8.0-inch infotainment screen and an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster. Higher trims get a 13.2-inch infotainment screen and an optional 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster.
The systems are powered by Ford Sync 4 software and can receive over-the-air updates. Plus, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The Escape features a wireless phone charging pad too.
New safety features include an optional 360-degree surround view camera and an evasive steering assist system. The 2023 Escape Hybrid starts at $32,340 and begins with the ST-Line trim. It should arrive at dealerships at the beginning of 2023.
We can’t wait to get behind the wheel to see how the refreshed Ford Escape Hybrid performs. We’re glad that critics are finally recognizing its value.
