The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Is Better Than You Think
We see you ignoring the Ford Escape Hybrid for other options like the Kia Sportage Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and Honda CR-V Hybrid! That could be a mistake. You don’t know what you’re missing with the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid.
Is the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid worth buying?
Yes, the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid is an excellent SUV to consider if you want a comfortable ride and fuel savings. It just got a brand-new exterior look and a revamped interior to match its impressive performance.
It’s time to let the old Escape with big bug eyes and an awkward grille go. Now it has a modern, attractive look with a boxier shape, LED headlights, and an LED bar that spans the width of the grille.
The 2023 Escape Hybrid starts at $32,340, while the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid begins at around $30,225 and the Kia Sportage Hybrid comes in at $27,290. But the Escape Hybrid may include enough value to justify the higher starting price.
How does the 2023 Escape Hybrid drive?
The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter inline-four engine that’s paired with an 88 kWh electric motor to generate 210 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.7 seconds.
This is adequate, but things could be sportier. It has plenty of power for passing others on the highway and merging into traffic. It can tow up to 1,500 lbs, so it’s limited to smaller trailers.
The 2023 Escape Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 44 mpg in the city and up to 41 mpg on the highway. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid receives an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city and up to 38 mpg on the highway.
While the Escape Hybrid could be more athletic, it has a peppy acceleration. It’s more noticeable in Sport mode thanks to faster response times. It features a well-planted grip around curves with responsive handling. However, the brakes are a bit soft.
Typically hybrid vehicles have softer brakes to help regenerate more energy for the batteries, so this isn’t a surprise.
The ride is pretty smooth over most surfaces, but larger impacts can be felt. Body roll is kept to a minimum, and the interior is quiet. You can notice a little road and wind noise at highway speeds.
Does the Escape Hybrid have nice features?
The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid features a near-luxury interior with faux leather, vinyl, and quilted leather upholstery. Hard plastics were replaced by soft-touch materials, and red accent stitching provides an attractive pop of color. Plus, the panoramic roof is huge!
An 8.0-inch touchscreen comes with the base model, but higher trims feature a 13.2-inch screen. Also, an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster is standard, with an optional 12.2-inch display.
Updated features include a wireless phone charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 360-degree surround-view camera, evasive steering assist, and Active Park Assist 2.0.
You can access 37.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 65.4 cubes overall. The rear seats fold flat.
The Ford Escape Hybrid deserves another chance. It’s spacious, efficient, and athletic, with a near-luxury interior and comfortable ride.
