If you are into compact crossover SUVs, look no further. The new 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid is about to drop. One of the best crossovers on the market is getting a refresh for the upcoming model year. It is competing for the top crossover SUV, and the competition is fierce. There is the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. With such a crowded category, Escape needs to check all the boxes in order to come out on top. What does this mean in terms of a refresh?
Well, for starters, the interior should get a restyle. It might be a bit outdated and it doesn’t follow the contemporary trend. On the outside, there isn’t much we expect. Some minor body tweaks and small styling details get changed. Under the hood is where the magic happens. Hopefully, we will still get a hybrid powertrain. These systems have proven to do wonders and are able to save a lot on fuel. Also, fully electric SUVs aren’t science fiction. They can be found all around the globe. So it would make sense for Ford to try and put a battery pack into the small Escape.
Let’s read in more detail what is coming up with the new Escape Hybrid refresh.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Exterior Design
The outside of the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid looks smooth as well. The build is seamless, the bumpers are not too prominent. However, they have few air intakes on the bumper and on the mesh. This should be able to keep everything cool under the hood. We get standard 18-inch rims. They are lightweight to shave off the same weight and improve the power-to-weight ratio. This also improves fuel economy. Because of its body and curves, it is very ergonomic and aerodynamic. This helps with handling and steering.
There are many exterior colors to choose from. We get Atlas Blue Metallic, Star White Metallic, Rapid Red Metallic, Stone Blue, Iced Blue Silver, Iconic Silver, Carbonized Gray, and Agate Black. The front fascia has been redesigned a bit. The mesh is smaller and closer to the bumpers than the hood. Headlights are more linear and use the latest LED technology. There is also an LED bar above the mesh that connects the headlights. It looks very sleek.
First Look Inside
The inside of the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid looks quite fine. Ford did a great job of keeping everything stylish and modern. They really put their thinking caps on with this one. After all, this is a compact SUV. It is very important that they utilize the given space as much as possible. Otherwise, it might get crowded there. So it can seat 5 people comfortably, but don’t expect to stretch your legs on the ride. The back row can slide forward or backward to give more cargo space or passenger space.
This is a nice little trick that is sure to get noticed. There are 65.4 cubic feet after you fold the back row. The seating is perfect, with the right amount of cushioning and great lumbar support. So far, we know that the material is leather, but it would be nice to see them throw in some fabric as well. This is a material that is better during long summer drives.
Heated and ventilated seats are standard. You have a standard infotainment system in the middle of the instrument panel. The size is 10 inches, just enough for everyone to see what is happening. There is Co-Pilot 360 technology in the Escape. It is driver assistance software that keeps everyone safe on the road. There are a few selectable drive modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Deep Snow/Sand.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Specs
Currently, there are no official statements about the powertrain for the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid. Hopefully, it will get a bit more power. The good thing is that it already offers a wide plethora of engines for drivers to choose from. We have the basic 1.5 three-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. This is just enough to move the compact Escape around. We can opt for a bigger engine.
This would be the 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This is by no means overkill, but simply a boost if you need it, just in case. There is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. This engine can be found both in regular hybrids and plug-in hybrids. It has 200 horsepower. The small Escape Hybrid isn’t too fast. It needs 6.7 to 8.5 seconds to get from zero to sixty, considering the size of the engine. It is good that the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid PHEV can reach 105 miles per gallon when fully charged. The hybrid model gets 44 mpg in the city and 37 on the open road.
It even has a decent towing ability. It can pull up to 3,500 pounds, which is nice for an SUV of this size. It might be strange that full electrification hasn’t happened yet. Ford has already pushed several vehicles on the market that run solely on batteries. They were able to do it with a huge pickup, so we guess they can do it with the Escape as well. This would mean at least a 100 kWh battery pack. It is probably Ultium technology. Fast charging and peer-to-peer charging are all the rage nowadays, so that has to be on it.
Price and Release Date
We can expect to see the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid on the road later this year. This is just in time since most of the competitors have released their creations. The starting price is estimated at $27,000.
This isn’t too hefty considering the number of goodies you get and the quality build that will last a long time. Also, with electrification happening more than ever, with a hybrid, at least you are bulletproofing yourself for the future.