The 2023 Ford Escape arrives with a freshened exterior, revised interior, and a new trim lineup, including a standalone plug-in hybrid model. Ford continues to offer the Escape with several engine options making it competitive against compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Santa Fe and more varied than the Subaru Forester, Nissan Rogue, and Chevrolet Equinox.
Although priced competitively, the Escape can’t match the resale values of the Honda CR-V, and it doesn’t offer all-wheel drive (AWD) on the plug-in model, something you can get with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
2023 Ford Escape
Starts at $28,000 | See listings
- 8-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Co-Pilot360
- Blind-spot monitor
- Rear cross-traffic detection
- LED headlights
- Cruise control
- Manual air conditioning
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- See more
2023 Ford Escape Active
Starts at $29,345 | See listings
- 17-inch wheels
- Rear privacy glass
- Intelligent Access keyless entry
- Push-button start
- 8-way power driver’s seat
- Power liftgate
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Available Co-Pilot360 2.0
- Available Cold Weather Package
- See more
2023 Ford Escape ST-Line
Starts at $30,340 | See listings
- Black mesh grille
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Rear spoiler
- Sport seats
- Flat-bottom steering wheel
- Sport seats
- Available hybrid engine
- Available Vista Roof
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2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Select
Starts at $34,040 | See listings
- Standard AWD
- 250-horsepower 2.0-liter engine
- Sport suspension
- LED fog lights
- Heated side mirrors
- Heated seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Available hybrid engine
- Available Trailer Tow Package (3,500 pounds)
- See more
2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite
Starts at $38,460 | See listings
- Adaptive cruise control
- 13.2-inch touchscreen
- HD rear vision camera
- Navigation
- Evasive steering assist
- Wireless charging pad
- Ambient interior lighting
- 6-way power passenger seat
- Available hybrid engine
- See more
2023 Ford Escape Platinum
Starts at $36,965 | See listings
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Hands-free foot-activated power liftgate
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 360-degree monitor
- Reverse brake assist
- Intersection assist
- Available Active Park Assist
- Available Bang & Olufsen audio
- See more
2023 Ford Escape PHEV
Starts at $40,500 | See listings
- Plug-in hybrid powertrain
- Adaptive cruise control
- Navigation
- Intersection assist
- Heated sport seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Available head-up display
- Available quilted leather seats
- See more
2023 Ford Escape: $28,000 (FWD), $29,500 (AWD)
The first rung in the Escape trim ladder is the base model. It features a 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine good for 181 horsepower. Front-wheel drive (FWD) comes standard, with AWD optional. The Escape uses a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission instead of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) found in many of its competitors.
The base Escape gets more features this year, including an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch center stack infotainment screen, and LED headlamps. Gone from the Escape’s feature set is MyKey, a helpful feature that allows parents to set limits on certain features and monitor their kids driving habits.
Making a strong statement about safety, the Escape includes Ford’s Co-Pilot360 that brings forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a blind-spot monitor.
New for 2023 is rear cross-traffic detection with emergency braking.
Also in the group are automatic high-beam headlights, auto on/off headlights, and a rear backup camera.
The Escape isn’t big on fancy upgrades. Still, it does include power side mirrors, 17-inch steel wheels with silver-painted covers, remote keyless entry, the Easy-Fill capless fuel filler, an anti-theft alarm, wiper-activated headlights, and a rear wiper/washer.
A mini spare tire comes standard; we feel this is preferable to many competitors’ tire sealant kits.
On the comfort and convenience front, the Escape includes a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with controls for the cruise, audio, and Bluetooth. Also standard are cloth seats, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, manual single-zone air conditioning, a rotary gearshift lever, and a driver-only 1-touch down power window.
Along with the aforementioned 8-inch center screen, the Escape includes a 6-speaker AM/FM radio and Sync 4. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, as do FordPass Connect apps. With FordPass, you can turn your car into a Wi-Fi hot spot, remotely start the vehicle, locate your vehicle, and more.
Some mechanical highlights worth noting include torque vectoring, which helps improve traction by varying torque to individual wheels, and curve control, which can detect when you’re traveling too fast into a curve and slow the vehicle by reducing engine torque and applying the brakes.
Outside of a few dealer-installed items, there are no optional upgrades for the base Escape.
With the added $1,495 destination charge, the 2023 Ford Escape costs $29,495. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $557. See 2023 Ford Escape models for sale near you
2023 Ford Escape includes:
- Wireless connectivity – Allows wireless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Automatic high-beam headlights – Using light sensors, these headlights can automatically illuminate in low-light situations or dim when sensing oncoming traffic.
- LED headlights – These bright white headlights use less energy and produce less heat than conventional bulbs.
2023 Ford Escape Active: $29,345 (FWD), $31,515 (AWD)
The Active replaces last year’s SE with a more outdoorsy-sounding name but no off-road hardware to back it up. However, the Active does include a healthy dose of upgrades that make this the Escape trim we’d pick if we’re trying to find a happy medium between budget and features.
Building off the base Escape, the Active adds exterior styling enhancements such as chrome window moldings, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, dark tinted rear privacy glass, and body-color door handles.
Ford’s Intelligent Access allows unlocking the doors by touching the handle and starting the car with the push of a button.
A power liftgate comes standard, as does dual-zone automatic climate control, rear-seat USB charging ports, an 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, and upgraded cloth upholstery. SiriusXM 360L joins the infotainment system.
Little things, such as sliding sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors and rear seat folding center armrest with cup holders, make the Active a nicer place to spend time.
Optional equipment for the Active gets bundled into Tech Pack 1. It includes Ford’s Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, traffic sign recognition, navigation, evasive steering assist, rear parking sensors, a digital rearview camera, and a 13.2-inch touchscreen.
Tech Pack 2 adds Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, featuring reverse brake assist, intersection assist (watches for cars about to cross in front of the Escape and alerts the driver), and a 360-degree monitor with Split View and front/rear washers.
Also in the package are a 10-way power driver’s seat, 6-way power passenger seat, the Cold Weather Package (heated seats, heated steering wheel, remote start, and heated side mirrors), and a 10-speaker B&O sound system.
Rounding out the Tech Pack 2 features are a 12.3-inch digital productivity screen, a hands-free foot-activated liftgate, a wireless charging pad, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, SecuriCode keypad entry, and memory for the driver’s seat and side mirrors.
Standalone options include a Panoramic Vista Roof and the Cold Weather Package.
With the added $1,495 destination charge, the 2023 Ford Escape Active costs $30,840. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to approximately $582. See 2023 Ford Escape Active models for sale near you
2023 Ford Escape Active includes:
- Power liftgate – Opens at the press of a button, a nice feature when manually opening the liftgate isn’t always easy or convenient.
- 8-way power driver’s seat – Allows a better range of motion than the base model’s manual seat. Power lumbar is included for better lower back support.
- Available B&O sound system – This 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system includes a powered subwoofer that helps create a rich, full-sounding music experience.
2023 Ford Escape ST-Line: $30,340 (FWD), $32,510 (AWD)
The ST-Line builds off the Active with a sportier look that includes a black mesh grille, single-wing rear spoiler, body-colored front and rear fascias, and 18-inch metallic painted alloy wheels.
Inside the cabin, the ST-Line gets partial vinyl and cloth sport bucket seats with red stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel, a dark headliner, and an SVT aluminum footrest.
Options include Tech Pack 1, the Cold Weather Package, and the Panoramic Vista Roof.
The 2.5-liter hybrid engine, offering outstanding fuel economy, is available but only with front-wheel drive.
With the added $1,495 destination charge, the 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line costs $31,835. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment is about $601. See 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line models for sale near you
2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Select: $34,040
The ST-Line Select ups the ante with standard AWD and a choice between the 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain or a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas engine good for 250 hp. Regardless of engine choice, the price remains the same.
Additional features above the ST-Line include a sport handling suspension, LED fog lights, heated side mirrors, remote start, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Options are highlighted by Tech Pack 1, Tech Pack 2, a Panoramic Vista Roof, and a Class II Trailer Tow Package that permits a 3,500-pound max tow rating.
With the added $1,495 destination charge, the 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Select costs $35,535. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to roughly $671. See 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Select models for sale near you
2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite: $38,460
The ST-Line Elite builds off the Select, adding most of the content from the Tech packages and leaving the few remaining features bundled into the Premium Technology Package. Checking this box brings the B&O sound system, a head-up display, quilted leather-trimmed seats, and Ford’s Active Park Assist 2.0 self-parking assistant.
Options include the Panoramic Vista Roof and 19-inch ebony wheels.
With the added $1,495 destination charge, the 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite costs $39,995. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $755. See 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite models for sale near you
2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite includes:
- 12.3-inch productivity screen – This large color screen takes the place of traditional instruments, serving as the display for the gauges and vehicle functions like navigation routing and adaptive cruise control.
- Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 – This suite contains a host of driver assist and safety systems, including adaptive cruise control, intersection assist, reverse emergency braking, and a 360-degree monitor.
- Available head-up display – Projects pertinent information onto the windshield that drivers can see without taking their eyes off the road.
2023 Ford Escape Platinum: $37,465 (AWD), $36,965 (FWD hybrid), $38,465 (AWD hybrid)
The Platinum is the ultimate Escape. It comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and AWD. However, buyers opting for the hybrid powertrain can choose AWD or FWD.
The Platinum includes all of the Active trim’s standard features, then adds a hands-free foot-activated liftgate, LED fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, 19-inch alloy wheels, and heated side mirrors.
Convenience features include the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, ambient interior lighting, driver’s seat memory, ActiveX seat upholstery, power front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 comes standard, as does remote start, a wireless charging pad, the 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, front parking sensors, and the 360-degree monitor.
Optional upgrades include the Premium Technology Package, Class II Trailer Tow Package, and the Panoramic Vista Roof.
With the added $1,495 destination charge, the 2023 Ford Escape Platinum costs $38,960. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to approximately $735. See 2023 Ford Escape Platinum models for sale near you
2023 Ford Escape PHEV: $40,500
The 2023 Ford Escape PHEV is a plug-in hybrid vehicle capable of traveling up to 37 miles solely on electric power. It uses the same hybrid engine setup only with a larger battery pack that can be charged with a plug.
The Escape PHEV, available exclusively with FWD, builds off the Active trim’s standard features, adding adaptive cruise control, navigation, intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and rear parking sensors.
The PHEV’s infotainment system gets upgraded with a 13.2-inch touchscreen.
Other standard features include LED fog lights, heated side mirrors, heated sport bucket seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Features specific to the PHEV include Pedestrian Alert Sounder (which makes noise when running in electric mode so people can hear you coming), a mobile power cord, and the ability to be towed in neutral — a feature sure to please the RV crowd.
Most options already mentioned for the Select and Platinum trim are bundled into the PHEV Premium Package. Highlights: the B&O sound system, a 360-degree monitor, Active Park Assist 2.0, a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, foot-activated hands-free liftgate, quilted leather seats, and the 12.3-inch productivity screen.
The Panoramic Vista Roof and Class II Trailer Tow Package are also available.
With the added $1,495 destination charge, the 2023 Ford Escape PHEV costs $41,995. On a 60-month loan with 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment is about $792. See 2023 Ford Escape PHEV models for sale near you
2023 Ford Escape PHEV includes:
- EV-only mode – When running on electric power, the Escape PHEV can travel up to 37 miles, after which the gas engine kicks on and operates like the other Escape hybrid models.
- Available rain-sensing wipers – These automatically activate when detecting rain, mist, or snow on the windshield.
- Available Active Park Assist 2.0 – This system can automatically park the Escape (parallel or perpendicular) with almost no input from the driver.
