Ford Escape sales are down so far in 2023, but they are second place in overall Ford SUV sales. The Ford Bronco, Ford Bronco Sport, and Ford Edge have worse sales than the Escape, but like most SUVs, their YTD sales are moving in a positive direction. According to GoodCarBadCar, the No. 1 Ford SUV remains the Ford Explorer with 121,629 sales, which is nearly a 13% decrease from 2022 sales but doesn’t remove the Explorer from its top rank. 

The problem for Ford is a similar problem to other auto industry leaders. Supply chain difficulties, increasing interest rates, EV investments, and the UAW workers’ strike are all likely contributors to future Ford sales problems. How sales figures will affect the future Ford lineup is not yet clear. 

Ford Bronco sales are up despite lower sales figures

The Ford Bronco midsize SUV is selling as fast as Ford can supply them, and sales are up 8.33% from 2022. Overall sales have reached 81,785 units as of September 1st, but supply is Ford’s biggest problem. According to Ford Authority, due to supply chain issues, Bronco orders have been restricted to pre-existing Bronco order holders. It can be a long wait to get your hands on a Bronco, but their overall sales are comparable to the Ford Escape. 

The Ford Bronco is a highly capable off-road SUV with the option of a true locking front differential. The ground clearance on various models varies from 8.3 inches to 11.7 inches, or a whopping 13.1 inches on the Ford Bronco Raptor. Engine options for the 2023 Ford Bronco are a 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 or a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. The Raptor trim level comes with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6. The rugged Bronco has good low-end torque, which makes each Bronco very agile even with large tires in off-road conditions. The starting price for the base 2023 Ford Bronco is $34,890. 

Sales are also positive for the Ford Bronco Sport

Ford sold 87,383 Ford Bronco Sport models in 2023 based on YTD numbers released in September. That’s a 23.58% increase from 2022. Also known as the ‘Baby Bronco,’ this compact crossover SUV is popular for its functional design and affordability. The starting price for the 2023 Bronco Base model is $29,215. 

With turbo three-cylinder or turbo four-cylinder engine options, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport comes with 4WD standard on all trim levels. The turbo three-cylinder gets 26 combined MPG, and the turbo four-cylinder gets 23 combined MPG. The Ford Bronco looks like a smaller version of its bigger counterpart, but drivers consider it more practical for daily use. 

Ford Edge sales numbers improved slightly from 2022

The Ford Edge is in the same crossover SUV category as the Ford Escape, although it is considered midsize. Ford has sold 62,376 Edge models YTD, which is less than a 1% increase from 2022. 

The Ford Edge offers two engine options, including the 2.7-liter engine boasting 335 hp and 380 lb-ft. of torque. It has more power than the Ford Escape, and Edge drivers are typically fond of performance. The Edge is also slightly larger than the Escape with a 3,500-lb. towing capacity on all trim levels. 

Why are the Bronco, Bronco Sport, and Ford Edge lower than the Ford Escape’s sales numbers? 

Ford Escape sales have reached 89,684 units YTD, which is a 7.59% decrease from last year but still more than most of Ford’s other SUV models. The Ford Explorer is the top seller because of its reputation and brand recognition as well as its size and performance. The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV that has a low starting price of $29,345 and SUV features that make it convenient and economical. The Active configuration is the most popular Escape trim because it is affordable but offers desirable features. Ford Escape sales are higher than other Ford SUVS because the Escape is affordable.

Ford Escape sales are not moving in the right direction, but they are still outselling other popular Ford SUVs. This is because of their low price tag and availability, an area where other Ford SUVs cannot compete.