Used 2023 Ford Escape SUV Trims Comparison

The Base, Active and ST-Line trims are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (180 horsepower, 199 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. All-wheel drive is available as an option.

The ST-Line Select and higher trims upgrade to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (250 hp, 280 lb-ft) with standard all-wheel drive.

But also be aware that Ford makes the ST-Line and higher trims available with a fuel-sipping 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain (192 total system horsepower) that drives the wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Finally, there's the Escape PHEV with a plug-in version of the hybrid engine. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, combining for 210 total horsepower, and joined to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard. Unlike gas-only and regular hybrid Escape models, the Escape Plug-In Hybrid does not offer all-wheel drive. On a fully charged battery, the Escape Plug-In can travel about 37 miles on electric power, after which it switches to regular gas-electric hybrid operation. Recharging the 14.4-kWh battery pack takes 3.5 hours with a Level 2 charger, or 10-11 hours using a 110-volt household power outlet.

Base
This base trim is fairly bare-bones, though you do get a few advanced driver assist features. This model starts you off with:

• 17-inch steel wheels
• Cloth upholstery
• Height-adjustable driver's seat
• 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Six-speaker sound system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both with wireless connectivity)
• Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot

Every Escape also comes with these driver assist features:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Lane keep assistance (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
• Automatic high beams

Active
Perks the Escape's content up with:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Power liftgate
• Chrome exterior trim
• Dark tinted rear windows
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Keyless ignition and entry
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Satellite radio
• Two rear USB ports

PHEV
The Escape PHEV starts off with the plug-in hybrid powertrain detailed above and the features of the Active trim level. It also has:

• 18-inch wheels
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Partial vinyl and cloth upholstery
• 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Navigation system
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Escape and the car in front)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)

ST-Line
Builds on the Active's standard equipment with:

• 18-inch wheels
• Underbody skid plates
• Flat-bottom steering wheel
• Partial vinyl and cloth upholstery
• Roof rails

ST-Line Select
Stepping up to this model adds:

• All-wheel drive
• LED foglights
• Heated mirrors
• Remote ignition
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel

ST-Line Elite
This trim level adds a long list of convenience and driver assist features that include:

• 19-inch wheels
• LED headlights
• Enhanced front accent lighting
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Exterior keyless entry keypad
• Digital instrument panel
• Driver's seat memory functions
• Power-adjustable front passenger seat
• 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Navigation system
• Wireless charging pad
• Interior ambient lighting
• Adaptive cruise control
• Evasive steering assistance
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Rear automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Platinum
This top trim goes without the ST-Line's skid plates and tops off the standard features list with:

• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Universal garage door opener

Many features found on the top trims are on supporting trims as options. Other significant options for the Escape (depending on the trim) include:

• Tow package
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)
• 10-speaker B&O premium sound system
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
• Leather upholstery
• Panoramic sunroof