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When you see a new 2023 Ford Escape driving past you in Martinsville, Danville, Rocky Mount, or Greensboro, it wouldn’t be surprising if you thought it was the first model year of a new generation. However, despite an impressive makeover that moves it in a more upscale direction, the 2023 Escape is a mid-cycle refresh for the fourth model year of the popular compact crossover SUV’s fourth generation. This sporty SUV has a new look, and the model lineup gets a makeover, too, for 2023.
The front fascia is what’s most striking about the refresh of the 2023 Ford Escape. The front fascia features new lighting elements, a revised hood, an updated front bumper design, and a grille that stretches wider across the front end than previous models. The Ford badge that used to sit on the hood is now in the center of the grille, and higher trim levels feature a light bar that connects the headlamps by running across the top of the grille. The look is more upscale and sportier than ever, especially with the desirable new ST-Line models.
Unlike some rival models that keep them separate, the Ford Escape includes its hybrid and plug-in hybrid models in a single lineup. The range starts with the entry-level Escape Base and then goes to the Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, Platinum, and range-topping Escape Plug-in Hybrid.
If you enjoy having a range of powertrain options when configuring your new compact crossover, you’ll like what you find with the 2023 Ford Escape. The standard engine for the Base, Active, and ST-Line models is a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbo-three that develops 181 horsepower. If your chosen trim level is an ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, or Platinum, your standard engine is a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo-four that ups the power ante to 250 horsepower.
Those who want a fuel-efficient hybrid system under the hood will need an ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, or Platinum trim level. These four have the option of a hybrid powertrain based around a 2.5-liter inline-four with lithium-ion batteries and a couple of electric motors. The output is a combined 200 horsepower, while the Escape Plug-In Hybrid adds a 14.4 kWh battery that delivers up to 37 miles of electric-only driving.
Shoppers used to have to look beyond the entry model in the Escape lineup to get the larger 8.0-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, but that’s no longer the case as the base model now features the larger touchscreen. A massive 13.2-inch touchscreen is now available, but it’s an option for the Active, ST-Line, and ST-Line Select before becoming standard with the ST-Line Elite and higher. However, you can go beyond the Base model to get the SYNC 4 infotainment system, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility, or FordPass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot.
An 8.0-inch color LCD instrument cluster is standard at the entry-level, although a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster is available for some models. Other upscale options include leather-trimmed seats with quilting design and mini-perforation and a B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers, including a subwoofer.
The Escape is a model that gets better and better with continuous development, and the 2023 Ford Escape is another massive step in the right direction for this excellent compact crossover SUV. Come and see what the Escape can do for you with a test drive from Nelson Ford at 201 East Commonwealth Boulevard, Martinsville, VA, or call us at (276) 638-2331 for more information and a schedule an appointment that’s convenient for you.
