The current generation of Ford’s compact crossover has been around for a while and as the competition is getting stronger, it’s time for updates. We are about to see a mid-cycle refresh and the 2023 Ford Escape is about to bring all kinds of interesting novelties. We are about to see a new styling, as well as some pretty interesting interior updates. Of course, new features will come too, while we don’t expect to see bigger changes under the hood.
These updates will certainly make the car more appealing but we don’t expect that the overall design will change. Therefore, you may count on familiar characteristics, on familiar good and bad things about this small SUV. When it comes to things we like, there is a wide powertrain offer, as well as pretty good fuel economy with most of them. Also, we like the seats and the intuitive infotainment system.
Considering the update, we presume that the 2023 Ford Escape will hit the market a little bit earlier, probably in the third quarter of the year.
2023 Ford Escape Design
As you may presume, most of the changes will come in terms of styling. The test mule has been around for a while and judging on the camouflage, it will come with updates on both ends of the vehicle. Bigger changes will come at the front. There, we expect to see a completely new face, with new, more angular headlights, as well as with a taller and more massive grille. The front bumper will be all-new too and we presume that everything will be designed in the same fashion as the recently updated Focus.
The other end of the crossover will come with novelties too. We will see new taillights, as well as a new rear bumper and a few tweaks on the tailgate. Of course, we also expect to see new color options on the offer, as well as new wheels. On the other hand, the mechanical aspect of the vehicle is about to remain the same.
Interior
The latest reports also suggest some updates on the inside. From what we can hear, the biggest novelty will be a new infotainment screen, which will probably be the same 13.2-inch unit as in the Focus. Other than that, we could see a few more revisions to the dashboard, in terms of new shapes, new materials, color schemes etc.
Still, most of the cabin will remain the same. The Escape may not have a fancy cabin as rivals like Hyundai Tucson or VW Tiguan, but its cabin is well-built and features very good overall quality. Also, we like the front seats, which are massive and supportive. The second row accommodates adult passengers with ease.
The cargo area won’t change either. Therefore, you may count on 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet of the total cargo volume. Those are decent ratings for the class, though there are many classmates that offer more.
Features
New features are another thing we expect from this update. We already mentioned the new infotainment screen. The 2023 Ford Escape will get a new 13.2-inch touchscreen, just like the focus. Along with the massive screen, we will see a new-generation SYNC 4 software. The new touchscreen will be optional, while base models will probably feature a familiar 8-inch unit.
Other than that, we expect that some of the current options will become part of the standard equipment, such as a digital instrument cluster, or Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. For reference, the current list of options also includes things like navigation, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, wireless device charging, a panoramic sunroof, single- or dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, remote start etc.
2023 Ford Escape Engines
Things under the hood will probably remain the same. Therefore, the offer should start with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which puts out around 181 horsepower. That’s pretty much enough for most drivers, though we would rather go for the optional 2.0-liter turbo-four, which puts out around 250 horsepower. Both engines come in pair with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which does a really good job.
Of course, you may also count on two hybrid powertrains on the offer. The first one is a classic hybrid, which combines a 2.5-liter inline-four engine with a single electric motor and CVT gearbox. The total output goes around 200 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid model uses the same inline-four engine but comes with a more powerful electric motor and a bigger battery. The max output goes around 221 horsepower, while you may also count on 37 miles of the all-electric range.
2023 Ford Escape Release Date and Price
We expect that the 2023 Ford Escape will arrive sometime in the third quarter of the year, with a starting price of around 27.000 dollars.
