A huge part of why the Ford Escape is so special has to do with its drivetrain options. Gone are the days of naturally aspirated V6's providing robust power at the cost of fuel economy. Escape owners will get to choose from one of three efficient powertrain options. A 1.5L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine makes 180 horsepower and paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. And even though it's a tiny engine for the amount of power it makes, Ford have gone the extra mile and added a cylinder deactivation system, helping to further save gas. A 2.5L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine that makes 163 horsepower using a CVT transmission. The third engine choice is a 2L turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 250 horsepower.
The front-wheel drive model has four trims Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and PHEV while the all-wheel drive model is available in Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum.
The Active trim features LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, bucket front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, a satellite radio, 6-speaker sound system, an 8-inch touchscreen, mobile hotspot, wireless device connectivity, and 4 USB ports.
The ST-Line includes roof rails, 18-inch wheels, sport bucket front seats, an 8-inch gauge cluster, and a sport steering wheel.
The Platinum adds a power liftgate, heated side mirrors, LED front fog lights, 19-inch wheels, heated front seats, driver seat memory, a 13.2-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, wireless device charging, built-in virtual assistant, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, a heated steering wheel, left turn assist for the forward collision mitigation system, front cross traffic mitigation and a traffic sign information system.
The PHEV shares many features with the Platinum trim but also adds a hybrid electric motor with 210 horsepower, an all-electric range of 37 miles and regenerative braking.
Standard safety features include 7 airbags, active lane departure, blind spot warning, forward and rear collision mitigation, front pedestrian detection, and a driver attention alert.
Sleek Styling
Available All-wheel Drive
Practical, Yet Small Enough For The City
Clever Use Of Interior Space
Multiple Hybrid Drivetrain Choices
The Ford Escape carries over with minimal changes for 2025.
The Ford Escape continues to be a standout in the compact SUV class where it competes with established names such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. The new Escape should offer fantastic value by giving buyers a good compromise between interior room, sporty looks and fuel efficiency. While other SUV's in the segment can seem a little bare bone at times, the 2023 Escape offers a slightly more upscale feel thanks to all the technology on offer.
