ANN ARBOR, Mich. — I’ve all the time preferred the present Ford Escape and have been capable of look previous its flaws, mainly uninspired seems and drab interiors, in favor of its respectable driving dynamics and general sensible execution throughout the small SUV section. Its refresh for the 2023 mannequin 12 months helps clean a few of these tough edges out. It’s nonetheless nothing mind-blowing, and the Escape inhabits a mighty aggressive slice of the market, however the brand new ST-Line Elite trim solely reiterated why I like this car, and now it’s even simpler to suggest.
The 2023 Ford Escape will get refined exterior updates that go a protracted option to making this little crossover extra enticing. It sees probably the most enhancements up entrance, the place a brand new grille mimics the good-looking seems of the Ford Edge, with even a whiff of Mustang Mach-E. The grille transforms in form from a goofy smile to a decided grimace, and is moved greater within the fascia with the Blue Oval positioned inside as an alternative of above (which is why it now seems extra just like the Edge as an alternative of the European-market Focus). The brand new LED headlights — reflectors are commonplace, however greater trims get projectors — get a extra critical look to them, too. Our ST-Line Elite additionally has a recent gentle bar spanning the width of the nostril beneath the hood (it seems incredible at night time), which is a tad harking back to the thicker bar spanning the face of the F-150 Lightning. The hood can be barely reshaped with extra outstanding creases.
That aforementioned ST-Line is a brand new look providing accessible at completely different ranges throughout the revamped Escape trim lineup. The ST-Traces get a novel black mesh grille up entrance. Alongside the perimeters, they get physique shade cladding on the fenders and door moldings, versus the distinction black on different trims, in addition to small “ST-Line” badges. Our ST-Line Elite’s shiny black-painted wheels give a pleasant distinction to the Speedy Pink Metallic paint, as do the black window surrounds — different Escapes get chrome brightwork right here and never for the higher. In again, the ST-Line trims get an even bigger spoiler and a novel black skid plate. This Escape, with its tweaked entrance finish and new ST-Line seems, exudes considerably extra athleticism than earlier than.
However, when it comes to efficiency, there’s truly nothing moreover athletic concerning the 2023 Escape. The identical powertrain choices stay. A 1.5-liter EcoBoost (learn: turbocharged) inline three-cylinder engine, commonplace within the Base, Energetic and ST-Line trim, produces 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, put to both the entrance or all 4 wheels by way of an eight-speed automated transmission. ST-Line Choose, ST-Line Elite and Platinum trims get a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder providing 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, with all-wheel drive as commonplace. The ST-Line trim and up may also be had with a hybrid powertrain making a complete of 192 hp, and both front- or all-wheel drive. The Escape PHEV is now the range-topping trim, with a complete of 210 system hp and 37 miles of EV vary. It’s nonetheless solely accessible with front-wheel drive.
The up to date Escape inside is highlighted by an accessible 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment show working Sync 4 software program. Along with being massive and unimaginable to overlook, this new unit’s graphics are remarkably sharp, and the display is fast to reply. The rub right here is that most of the controls you usually anticipate to have their very own arduous buttons at the moment are activated by means of the touchscreen. Local weather controls, seat heating and most audio controls reside there, however the ones that maintain you heat or cool are completely docked on the backside of the display. There’s nonetheless a bodily quantity knob on the middle stack, in addition to the steering wheel-mounted audio controls. Decrease trims with the eight-inch touchscreen do get bodily controls for audio and HVAC. We are able to have a good time the truth that wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at the moment are commonplace throughout the Escape lineup. The iPhone projection labored fairly nicely, with the HVAC controls nonetheless accessible alongside the underside of the show, and the Escape’s native residence display only a single, straightforward contact away. The latter is an enormous enchancment for Ford – getting out of Apple CarPlay was a irritating tap-tap-tap scenario.
Our tester was geared up with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (commonplace on ST-Line Elite and Platinum trims, which is simply as crisp and clear because the infotainment show. There was additionally the optionally available head-up show, but it surely’s a small piece of glass that pops up from the instrument panel hood, relatively than being projected onto the windshield. Regardless of its small measurement, it’s nonetheless fairly helpful, offering necessary street and car data in our line of sight. It’s a part of the Premium Expertise Package deal that moreover features a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD Radio, Ford’s Energetic Park Help 2.0 (which helps you steer, speed up and brake into parking areas) and a set of snazzy leather-based seats. Normal on this trim is a wi-fi telephone charging pad within the cubby beneath the middle stack alongside each USB-A and USB-C ports.
The ST-Line trims get a pleasant flat-bottom steering wheel with crimson stitching, whereas the tech package deal’s leather-based seats go the additional mile with perforated quilting that contributes to a very upscale feel and appear for an Escape. That’s welcome, for the reason that current-generation Escape inside has all the time been a letdown when it comes to fashion, supplies and ambiance. There are nonetheless loads of arduous plastics round you, however, greater than ever earlier than, your eyes and palms are drawn to the tech and the extra fascinating textures. The stitching all through the cabin reinforces the sporty character in our tester, as do the carbon fiber-looking plastic trim items on the doorways and sprint. The inside additionally feels fairly spacious, with no place within the cabin feeling notably cramped. The optionally available panoramic sunroof permits numerous gentle or, if you’d like, recent air.
The cargo space is simply as accommodating because it’s all the time been. Now, Ford’s official quantity behind the second row of 37.5 cubic toes comes with an asterisk. That’s, in concept, in the identical ballpark because the section’s finest, however to get it, you need to totally make the most of the Escape’s admittedly helpful sliding again seat characteristic that the others don’t have. Mainly, you need to select between max cargo and max again seat area. Fold down that again seat and also you get 65.4 cubic toes behind the primary row, which is certainly lower than these household haulers.
Driving this refreshed Escape is a well-recognized affair. Acceleration from the two.0-liter EcoBoost is faster than you may anticipate, getting this factor transferring down the street with a way of urgency when requested. It takes only a second for the complete press of energy to come back alive off the road, but it surely builds by means of the center of the rev vary and tapers off slowly because the tachometer pushes north. It feels completely competent making passing maneuvers at highways speeds.
The Escape’s suspension is an efficient match for this peppy turbo motor, as each work to encourage you to drive it just a bit more durable than you usually would most mainstream compact crossovers. There’s some good street really feel by means of the suspension and sufficient stiffness to maintain it feeling pinned down in corners. That’s to not say the trip is harsh — it’s nonetheless comfy, if not probably the most compliant. It seems like what the ST-Line’s considerably sportified exterior look would have you ever consider. The steering is a bit too artificially boosted, however no less than there’s some suggestions available. It’s additionally encouragingly exact, offering car-like confidence when pointing it from one curve to the subsequent.
There’s one factor which will give patrons pause: the worth. This ST-Line Elite begins at $39,955, together with $1,495 in vacation spot (although Ford’s configurator at present reveals an accessible $500 “2.0L EcoBoost Low cost Package deal”). Not less than that will get you the two.0-liter turbo, all-wheel drive, these improved seems and upgraded tech. Our tester, with its optionally available paint end ($495), panoramic sunroof ($1,595), these slick black wheels ($195) and Premium Expertise Package deal ($1,910), together with that aforementioned 2.0L low cost (-$500) rings in at $43,650. That’s a hefty price ticket for the section, however with the Escape’s good driving dynamics and the enhancements Ford carried out for 2023, together with the sharp ST-Line look (or “cute” as one truck-owning passerby referred to as it), that value tablet will get simpler to swallow.
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