2023 Ford Escape
Price Range: $13,933 - $28,998
Ford Escape Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(43%)
4(19%)
3(10%)
2(16%)
1(12%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Hybird efficent, smooth handling, tech new styling
Bill Hamel, 06/30/2023
2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)
I have owned my 2023 Escape ST-Elite Hybrid AWD for over a month now and I have put many highway miles on it, as well as city here in Chicago. I am comparing this to my recent 2021 Escape SE trade-in and my wife's 2018 Toyota RAV4. I like the Escape already more than the RAV4 even with the updated styling after 2019.
I am pleasantly surprised by both the city and highway fuel economy. … Having an Atkinson cycle engine makes the power not as desirable, but the battery torque helps make up for that.
The interior is amazing, with power controls on both front seats, plenty of easy to use tech, and enough room to move and haul around stuff up to 1,500lbs total (including passengers).
I owned a 2021 Escape SE with 1.5L ecoboost and I can say that the iCVT transmission on the hybrid is MUCH smoother than the 8 speed auto. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS VEHICLE!
2023 Escape PHEV Above and Beyond EPA Estimates!
Riverview, 09/06/2023
2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)
When my 2007 standard transmission Pontiac Vibe passed the 160,000 mile mark, I knew it was time to start shopping for a new car. I wanted all the latest safety features and I wanted an electric/gas hybrid that would get me around town on electric-only but have a gasoline option for long trips. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid turned out to be the perfect choice.
I wanted safety features. I … got more safety features than I knew existed: a backup camera (displayed on a 12" screen!), side mirror defrost, blind spot monitor, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, a pedestrian warning signal, and much more.
As for fuel efficiency, the EPA estimated a driving range of 38 miles per a full electric charge and a gasoline-only average of 40 MPG. My car significantly exceeds both. I get an estimated 44 to 47 miles per 100% charge. At 11.5 kWh total for a 0-to-100% charge, I'm paying roughly $0.80 ( yes, 80 cents) per home charge. Yes, it does take about 11 hours to charge on a 120V outlet, but that's fine for my schedule. My local power company offers a rebate on installing a 240V home-charging system, so I may do that if my schedule changes. As for gas mileage, on my first long trip (500+ miles) the trip computer reported that my Escape averaged 45 MPH, just about what many non-plug-in battery hybrids average.
But what about the ride? The ride is quiet, tight, and responsive. And this Escape has more than enough pep to hold its own on the Interstate. Ask the Tesla in the next lane.
Because of high demand for the 2023 Escape Plug-in Hybrid, Ford produced only two packages: the loaded and the premium loaded.* If you want leather seats, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, zillion-way adjustable driver and passenger seats, etc., go for the premium package. I didn't. Six speakers are more than enough for me and the vinyl seats are just as comfortable as the leather ones in the model I test drove. The cargo space in both packages is the same, more than enough to hold 20 bags of mulch or a dorm-size refrigerator. I've carried both in my Vibe, though not at the same time 🙂.
Are there things about the Escape PHEV I don't like? Well, yes. Where the heck is the printed user's guide? The online/FordPass app guide is buggy, awkward and inconvenient to use. And it will be of no use at all in the rural areas that are still on dial-up just beyond where I live. Minor annoyances: the back seats don't fold down entirely flat, so loading my bike in the cargo space is more awkward than it needs to be. And after I open the driver's side door to get in, I need to readjust the power seat because it's never as far back as I left it when I exited. The old manual seat controls were so much faster. And they didn't play tricks.
* The Edmunds review form doesn't offer the PHEV 700A "trim" as an option. The 2023 PHEV does not come in an AWD model. It's FWD only, but the 2022 ST-Elite trim is the best match for the PHEV 700A non-premium option. In short, for 2023 there's the PHEV 700A package and the 700A+Premium Tech package.
Great Commuter Car
VA Matt, 08/24/2023
2023 Ford Escape Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)
I traded in my 2009 Ford Escape for a 2023 AWD Platinum Hybrid, and could not be happier with the mileage I'm getting. Though rated for 42/36 (city/hwy), I'm getting 56 mph commuting in considerable rush-hour traffic. I used to loathe traffic, but with great mileage and lots of comforting tech, returning to the office full-time is less of a hassle.
UPDATE: I’ve been exceeding the … listed mpg by 10 miles per gallon in rush hour traffic. I’m averaging about 610 mile on a tank of gas. The critique of choppy transmission shifts is not an issue on the hybrid as it’s a CVT. Also the transition from electric to gas is seamless. I had a 2009 Escape, which I loved but really love my 2023 hybrid more.
Battery has limitations and degradation
Larrymay, 12/23/2023
2023 Ford Escape Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)
I personally love the car itself...smooth ride, good power, great handling. I have had it for 3 months. Purchased on September 1st when temperatures were warm. Now after three months and colder temperatures I find battery capacity have reduced significantly. None of this was disclosed prior to purchase. I spoke to the local Ford service Mgr. and he says this is standard. When I … got the vehicle it had 59 klm capacity. Since then, maximum capacity has swung between 30 klm and 45 klm. But with limited driving for a retiree.....the car is great. The other "dislike" is the dashboard controls, specifically the gas gauge is wierd and questionably inaccurate....little nozzles pointing to the gas level.
2023 Ford Escape video
Top 10 Best Compact SUVs | Ranking the Best Small SUVs of 2021
NOTE: This video is about the 2022 Ford Escape, but since the 2023 Ford Escape is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
At Edmunds, we are big fans of the compact SUV. With enough room and comfort for passengers and good fuel economy, compact SUVs are a great choice for shoppers looking for an SUV that can do just about anything. In this video, Ryan ZumMallen from Edmunds presents our ranking of the Top 10 Best Compact SUVs and what makes each one different. From the popular Toyota RAV4 to… the off-roading Jeep Wrangler, Ryan runs down our list of what we consider the best small SUVs you can buy. This is our ranking of the Top 10 Best Compact SUVs.
Safety
Our experts like the Escape models:
- Evasive Steering Assist
- Provides additional steering effort to avoid a potential collision if it can't be prevented by braking alone.
- Lane Keeping System
- Alerts the driver when the car starts to drift out of its lane by vibrating the steering wheel and adding correctional steering if needed.
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
- Illuminates an indicator light in the side mirror when a vehicle enters the blind spot. Also includes integrated rear cross-traffic alert.
FAQ
Is the Ford Escape a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Escape both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.8 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Escape gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 37 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the Escape ranges from 34.4 to 37.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Ford Escape. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Ford Escape?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Ford Escape:
- Revised front and rear styling
- New Sync 4 infotainment system with larger touchscreen options
- New trim levels across lineup and feature availability
- Part of the fourth Escape generation introduced for 2020
Is the Ford Escape reliable?
To determine whether the Ford Escape is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Escape. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Escape's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Ford Escape a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Ford Escape is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Escape and gave it a 7.8 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Escape gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 37 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Escape is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Ford Escape?
The least-expensive 2023 Ford Escape is the 2023 Ford Escape 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $28,000.
Other versions include:
- 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $28,000
- Active 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $29,345
- 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $29,500
- ST-Line 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $30,340
- Active Fleet 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $31,345
- Active 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $31,515
- ST-Line 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $32,510
- Active Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $33,215
- ST-Line 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $33,340
- ST-Line Select 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $34,040
- ST-Line Select 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $35,040
- Platinum 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $36,965
- Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $37,465
- ST-Line Elite 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $38,460
- Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $38,465
- ST-Line Elite 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $39,460
- Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT) which starts at $40,500
What are the different models of Ford Escape?
If you're interested in the Ford Escape, the next question is, which Escape model is right for you? Escape variants include 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), Active 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A), and ST-Line 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of Escape models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in California
$238/mo for Escape Base
vs
$327/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV










