Experienced by Adrian McQueen
Photography by Adrenaline Lifestyles
This week we are getting some seat time in the 2023 Ford Escape, hybrid edition. The 2005 model year Ford Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid-electric vehicle from Ford, and the first hybrid produced as an SUV. The Escape is manufactured at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky.
Upon first look you notice the refreshed front end, resembling the larger Ford Edge, while the rear and sides remain largely unchanged. The Escape has LED reflector headlamps that are paired with by LED signature lighting and fog lamps. The tailgate is also redesigned with a hidden trunk catch that gives off a sleeker look. The model that we reviewed came in a star white metallic hue.
The interior is nice with a comfy cabin. The 2023 Escape has the latest SYNC 4 infotainment system, featuring a13.2-inch touchscreen display. It comes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation include built-in, connected, or smartphone integration, an 8-inch driver information display is standard, with an available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. I loved the studio quality sound that came from the B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen that includes 10 speakers and a subwoofer. FordPass® Connect has a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot keeps up to ten devices connected within a 50-foot radius of the vehicle. The Escape has a wireless charging pad as well.
The Escape can comfortably seat five passengers with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The sliding second-row seats can be adjusted to create extra legroom for rear passengers or increase cargo capacity. The rear seats also offer a 60/40 split-folding feature.The Escape offers 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 65.4 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded flat.
The Escape has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery, and an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission (eCVT). This transmission produces a combined 210 horsepower. The eCVT provides seamless gear shifts and contributes to the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. The plug-in hybrid version that we received offers an additional all-electric range. The Escape reports 40 mpg on gas and 101 mpge using gas and electric. The Escape handled well and was a comfortable ride. There was minimal body roll in the turns. Overall it was a smooth ride.
Safety is important to Ford. The Escape comes equipped with a suite of available safety and driver-assist technologies, including Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and dynamic brake support, Lane-Keeping System, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert, Intelligent adaptive cruise control, Active Park Assist 2.0, Rear view camera with 360-degree camera with split view.
The 2023 Ford Escape is in a competitive class going up against the Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav4, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson. It is currently one of the most popular small SUVs on the market. The model that we tested comes in at $47,115.00. The Escape ranks high for its utility, performance and comfort. With a fresh new look, improved rear-seat comfort, and a bundle of new technologies it is sure to catch the eye of many. Please enjoy the photo gallery.
