The Blue Oval is making a serious push to electrify its portfolio. This means adding several hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully-electric models to its lineup. Ford is already producing impactful nameplates for each respective powertrain type. The Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid is leading the charge for the brand’s plug-in hybrids. The Escape is a popular small SUV. Ford decided to drastically increase its fuel economy by modifying its powertrain. Here’s why the Escape PHEV is grossly underrated.

The 2023 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid can save you big bucks at the pump

The Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid’s unique powertrain system gives it a huge advantage. It gets 40 miles per gallon combined, thanks to its electric motor. The Escape PHEV has an 11.2-gallon gas tank. So, the small plug-in hybrid SUV should be able to travel 448 miles on a full gasoline tank without tapping into its electric-only driving range.

The 2023 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid can travel for roughly 37 miles on just electricity. That brings its total driving range to about 485 miles between gas and electricity. AAA.com claims that the national average gas price as of April 12th is $3.62. So, drivers can refuel the Escape PHEV’s gas tank for an average price of $40.54. For a few extra bucks, consumers should be able to recharge the plug-in hybrid SUV’s battery to achieve its potential 485 miles of total driving range.

The point is Ford’s small plug-in hybrid SUV is designed to go the distance without breaking the bank at the pump. Proximity to free and/or efficient EV charging can make the PHEV even more convenient. The Blue Oval’s small plug-in hybrid SUV may not be selling like hotcakes now, but it could make a big splash in the future as EV charging infrastructure improves.

The Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid is affordable

Part of the reason why many consumers avoid PHEVs and EVs like the plague is that they tend to be significantly more expensive than internal combustion vehicles. They can cost over $10,000 more than their gas alternatives.

It’s tough to create an affordable plug-in hybrid or EV, especially since the technology and production process are still so new. There’s room to make both PHEVs and electric vehicles even more affordable in the future, but for now, Ford’s small plug-in hybrid SUV offers great value.

The 2023 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid starts at $40,500. While that may not seem affordable to some consumers, it’s still below the average new vehicle price of nearly $50K (according to Money.com). When you consider the complexity of the Escape Plug-in Hybrid’s powertrain setup, $40,500 doesn’t seem so bad.

Ford is producing a small plug-in hybrid SUV that doesn’t break the bank. Consumers who took notice early on were able to benefit from the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax incentive. Today, it’s much more difficult for consumers to qualify for the incentive, but automakers are working to help vehicles qualify.

The 2023 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid has great standard features

Ford’s small plug-in hybrid SUV comes standard with intelligent adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, and a remote start system. It also includes multiple powerpoints, a premium-wrapped heated steering wheel, and Ford Intelligent Access with push-button start.

Drivers aren’t just getting an Escape with a plug-in hybrid powertrain when they choose the 2023 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid. Ford’s small plug-in hybrid SUV may not garner much attention at the moment, but it has the makings of an important nameplate for the brand’s future. It may not be as exciting as the powerful Toyota RAV4 Prime, but the Escape PHEV is still noteworthy.