2023 FORD ESCAPE, AN EXPECTED CHANGE
The 2023 Ford Escape has undergone a real facelift. Even if mechanically its components have remained the same, it benefits from a major makeover and adds components that make it more versatile than ever.
Visually, the most significant change is at the front, where a wider grille is complemented by new headlights with LED surrounds and a slim full-width light bar connecting the corners.
REVAMPED MODEL RANGE
The trim lineup has been refreshed for 2023, with Ford dropping the long-standing S, SE, SEL and Titanium configurations.
The base model Escape is now called Active. New for 2023 is the addition of the ST-Line package. The ST-Line is distinguished by the fact that all wheel arches and lower body surfaces, which are normally matte black, are painted in the body colour.
Paired with the black alloy wheels and grille, it certainly looks a bit sportier and has the appearance, if not the reality, of sitting a bit lower.
POWERTRAIN
Mechanically, the 2023 Ford Escape, and even the ST-Line model, is unchanged, except for some damping changes on the 2.0-liter turbocharged all-wheel drive model. The PHEV now has its own trim level, and see’s it’s horsepower drop from 221 to 201.
The full powertrain lineup remains unchanged with the 1.5-liter three-cylinder and 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engines paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions.
The conventional 2.5-liter hybrid also remains unchanged.
REVISED INTERIOR
Inside, the 2023 Ford Escape benefits from technological improvements with the replacement of the analog instruments cluster with a standard 8-inch digital cluster or an optional 12.3-inch cluster.
The infotainment system also gets a major upgrade from SYNC 3 to SYNC 4. The standard center touchscreen is now 10 inches diagonal, while the same 12.3-inch screen from the Lincoln Corsair is optional.
Ford chose to abandon the physical climate controls in favor of on-screen touch controls. To make the controls even simpler, these virtual controls are located in a permanent strip at the bottom of the screen. So forget about searching through menus.
SYNC 4 also brings Alexa’s integrated voice services, allowing you to treat your vehicle like your personal assistant at home. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay now also works without a wired connection.
In making these changes, Ford has also installed its networked electric/electronic vehicle architecture that debuted in the Mustang Mach-E and F-150. This means, among other things, that the Escape will now be able to support wireless upgrades to all of the vehicle’s electronic systems.
Have you ordered yours yet?