2023 Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

The 2023 Ford Escape hybrid comes with completely different trim levels compared to the previous model year. Not only the name of the trim levels have changed but it also gets a difference in the list of features with each trim level. Focusing just on the hybrid model of the 2023 Ford Escape, it gets four trim level options. The names of the trims include ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum. The standard ST-Line comes in an FWD drivetrain option while the ST-Line Select and ST-Line Elite come with a standard AWD drivetrain system. The Platinum trim level also gives you the option to choose between FWD and AWD drivetrain options. 

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For the buyers of the FWD drivetrain option of the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid, the ST-Line trim makes a great sense. It gets all the modern features and you do not miss any features of comfort and convenience. For buyers of the AWD drivetrain, they can go for the ST-Line Elite trim level as it gets you a bigger set of wheels along with some useful changes to your Escape hybrid. 

The 2023 Ford Escape hybrid does not bring any mechanical change in the car. It is powered by the same 2.5-liter Inline-4 engine that works with two electric motors to provide a combined power output of 192 horsepower and a torque output of 155 lb-ft. The engine comes mated to a continuously variable transmission and you can get the car in FWD or AWD drivetrain options. These numbers are quite decent against its rivals but it is not among the most powerful or the fastest class in the segment. The Ford Escape hybrid takes 7.7 seconds to reach from 0 to 60 mph and the quarter-mile run takes 16.1 seconds. The top speed is also at par with the rivals at 120 mph. 

All the hybrid models in the competition are not meant for performance and that is quite evident when you look at the performance figures of these cars. The performance of all these cars is quite close. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid comes as the fastest car in the 0 to 60 mph sprint and the quarter-mile run. The Honda CR-V comes in the second position in terms of acceleration but the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid follows it in the third position with a very small difference. The Subaru Crosstrek hybrid is the slowest car to reach from 0 to 60 mph and it is the slowest car in the quarter-mile run too. 

2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Ride and Handling

Ford is usually known for making cars that are great in terms of handling and they are known for their driving dynamics. However, Ford has missed the chance to retain its DNA in the 2023 Ford Escape hybrid. The driving dynamics of the Ford Escape hybrid are completely off. The suspension setup of the Ford Escape hybrid does not inspire the required confidence at higher speeds so the driver needs to slow down in the corners. The response from the steering wheel is adequate but it is not at the same level that you expect from a Ford. 

The 2023 Ford Escape might not be a great handler in its segment but it performs pretty well in overall comfort in the cabin. Especially at lower speeds, the 2023 Ford Escape hybrid soaks the bumps pretty well. The ride quality feels smooth on most of the surfaces. You do not have to compromise with comfort in the cabin of the Escape hybrid whether you are in the front row or the rear row of the car. 

2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Braking Performance

The 2023 Ford Escape hybrid comes with a capable braking system to ensure the car stops in time. There is no clarity on the size of the brake rotors used in the front or rear wheels of the Ford Escape hybrid. However, considering the braking performance of the car, it must be on par with its rivals. The 2023 Escape hybrid weighs 3,686 pounds and it takes a braking distance of 128 feet to bring the Ford Escape hybrid to a complete stop from 60 mph to a standstill. The feedback from the brake pedals is also quite good and it delivers an overall great braking performance.

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek hybrid surprises the competition with the best braking performance in the segment. It takes 118 feet to bring the car to a complete stop from 60 mph. The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid comes at the second position with a braking distance of 123 feet from the same speed. The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid follows Honda CR-V at the third position with a braking distance of 128 feet. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 hybrid comes in the last position with the longest braking distance in the class. It takes 143 feet to bring the RAV4 to a complete stop from 60 mph.

The main purpose of getting a hybrid model is fuel economy over any other reason. It can save you a lot if your daily driver is on the higher side. The 2023 Ford Escape hybrid will not disappoint you in this case. It can return a fuel economy of 42 feet in the city, 36 feet on the highway, and 39 feet of combined fuel efficiency. It comes with a 14.3-gallon fuel tank capacity. The maximum city range of 601 miles and the highway range of 515 miles. The Ford Escape is on par with its rivals in terms of overall efficiency and range. 

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 hybrid and the 2023 Honda CR-V hybrid return similar fuel economy figures. The Toyota RAV4 with its bigger fuel tank capacity delivers a longer range compared to the Honda CR-V. The Honda CR-V on the other hand delivers a slightly shorter range as it gets a smaller fuel tank capacity. The 2023 Ford Escape hybrid also delivers a longer range with the help of its slightly larger fuel tank capacity and similar fuel economy. The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek hybrid delivers the least range due to the poorest fuel economy and the smallest fuel tank capacity. 

The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid does not bring many changes in the interior of the car with the facelift. However, the interior does not look outdated by any standard and brings a modern and stylish interior design. The door gets a combination of soft-touch materials and a glossy black finish. The same layout is carried forward to the dashboard of the car where the upper and lower parts get soft-touch materials and the middle gets a glossy black finish. The space in the cabin is also not a problem in either row. The driver gets all the controls within reach. The rear seats get a recline and sliding feature to enhance comfort over a long journey. The cargo area is also quite impressive for the class.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid comes with the most spacious cargo area in the competition. The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid and the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid come with similar cargo areas behind the first and the second rows. The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid lacks behind the cargo area department. The Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Crosstrek have lower space in the rear seats of the car. The Ford Escape Hybrid has the most spacious legroom in the competition for the rear seat passengers. Being compact SUVs, all these SUVs have decent space in both rows.

Standout interior features:

• 8-way adjustable driver seats
• Flat-bottom steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Cruise control
• Partial vinyl and cloth upholstery
• Air filtration

2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Infotainment

The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid comes with a massive 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The lower trim levels get an 8-inch touchscreen display. However, the hybrid trims get a bigger screen that makes it easy to control the infotainment system. It operates on Ford’s latest SYNC 4 user interface that is known to be intuitive and fast to respond to touch input. The UI is pretty easy to use and comes with all the modern features that you expect from a car’s infotainment system. It gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for better connectivity with your phone. The audio is taken care of by a 6-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. 

Standout infotainment features: 

• 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• SYNC 4 infotainment system
• AM/FM stereo
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• 6-speaker Bang & Olufsen speakers

The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid brings some significant changes to the exterior design of the car. The front black grille and the LED DRLs that start from one corner and go all the way to the other corner on top of the grille, give the SUV a modern and sporty look. The glossy black color on the front grille looks attractive and it houses the Ford badge in blue color in the center. When you come to the side of the car, the design of the wheels with the same glossy black finish makes the overall look even better. The design at the rear remains pretty simple with a setup of sleek LED lights at the rear and some other cool work like a distinct spoiler design.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid is the longest SUV in the competition while the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid is the widest of them all. Both these SUVs have a longer wheelbase compared to their rivals. The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is the shortest SUV in the competition and it also has the shortest wheelbase. It translates into less room in the cabin and a smaller cargo area for the Subaru Crosstrek than its rivals. The Subaru Crosstrek comes with the best ground clearance in the segment which gives it a slight edge over the competition. The Toyota RAV4 finds a good balance in overall dimensions. 

Standout exterior features:

• 18/19-inch wheels
• Keyless ignition and entry
• Power liftgate
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Automatic high beam headlights
• Lip spoiler

Ford is known for being one of the serious automakers when it comes to the safety standards of their cars. And the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid is no exception and it comes with a long list of standard and optional safety features. Ford has not compromised on the build quality of the Ford Escape either and it has the ability to keep the passengers safe in case of a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has rated the Ford Escape hybrid an impressive 5 out of 5 stars in their crash test ratings. The Ford Escape comes standard with the Ford Co-Pilot 360 which gets a long list of driver assistance features. 

Safety features include:

• Electronic stability control 
• Traction control
• Blind-spot monitoring System
• Lane-keeping assist
• Front-collision mitigation
• Ford Co-Pilot360

2023 Ford Escape Hybrid vs. 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The Honda CR-V hybrid is an established name in the segment for a long time because of its fuel-efficient engine and spacious interior. Another advantage of the Honda CR-V is its excellent reliability score as it has been in the market for a long time without any major issues with the car. The Ford Escape hybrid also comes with impressive fuel efficiency. With the 2023 model year update, the interior design of the Ford Escape hybrid has also improved and it is on par with the Honda CR-V in terms of interior quality. However, Honda takes lead with its bigger and more spacious cargo area. You can go with either of these SUVs based on your budget and needs. 

2023 Ford Escape Hybrid vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2023 Ford Escape hybrid and the Toyota RAV4 hybrid are strong competitors in the compact SUV segment. The Toyota RAV4 hybrid gets an advantage over the Ford Escape hybrid when you look at the powertrain. The RAV4 hybrid comes with a slightly more powerful engine that offers better acceleration too. However, the difference is not that much. The Toyota RAV4 hybrid also comes with better fuel economy compared to the Ford Escape Hybrid. The interior space in the Ford Escape is slightly better than the RAV4 when you look at the space in the rear seats. The cargo space is quite similar in both of these cars. 

2023 Ford Escape Hybrid vs. 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek hybrid comes as a capable choice in the compact hybrid SUV segment. It offers impressive fuel efficiency which is a prime reason to go for a hybrid car. However, the Subaru Crosstrek hybrid is not as good as the Ford Escape hybrid in terms of fuel efficiency. It also comes with a less powerful engine that delivers slower acceleration compared to the Ford Escape hybrid. The Subaru Crosstrek hybrid comes with a standard AWD drivetrain but it is also available on the Escape hybrid as an option. The Ford Escape Hybrid offers more features and better space in the cabin. The choice boils down to your preference but the Ford Escape hybrid offers a better overall package. 

The 2023 Ford Escape hybrid is a strong contender in the compact SUV segment. It offers a decent performance with an impressive fuel efficiency figure. The attractive exterior styling of the Ford Escape hybrid helps it stand out from the crowd. With the 2023 update, the exterior styling of the Ford Escape hybrid has only got better. It looks like a better overall car with a more modern and sportier design language. The performance is not a strong point for the buyers of the Ford Escape hybrid but it is not a weak point either. It comes with an impressive list of standard safety features along with features of comfort and convenience. You can have a look at the 2023 Ford Escape hybrid if you are looking for a car in the segment.