2023 Ford Escape PHEV: Everything we know [Update]

Update: ‘Price & Release Date’ section updated.

The Ford Escape received a facelift for the 2023 model year, three years after entering the fourth generation. Like the previous model, the compact SUV is available in a plug-in hybrid variant. Here’s everything we know about the 2023 Ford Escape PHEV:

Design

The 2023 Ford Escape PHEV has a refreshed exterior that offers a more expressive character to overcome the dullness of the Euro-styled previous model. At the front, it features a new hood, new headlamps in a sharper design, a new higher-positioned and octagonal-shaped radiator grille, a more assertive bumper, and new fog lamp housing. While the previous model had LED projector headlamps, the new model has LED reflector headlamps. Moreover, it has an LED light bar connecting the headlamps, a feature unavailable on the old model.

On the sides, everything looks the same. Ford didn’t bother changing even the 18-inch multi-spoke wheels of the Escape PHEV. At the rear, the 2023 Escape PHEV has tweaked tail lamps and a revised skid plate.

Ford has discontinued the Stone Blue and Iced Blue Silver Metallic colors and introduced two new paint options for the Escape PHEV with the MY2023 update – Cinnabar Red Metallic and Vapor Blue Metallic (pictured above).

Interior

Inside, the 2023 Ford Escape PHEV has only one noteworthy design change, which is with the touchscreen infotainment system. Instead of the old model’s SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, the new model has the SYNC 4 infotainment system with a much bigger, 13.2-inch touchscreen.

The 13.2-inch display has much lesser bezels and gives the dashboard a more upscale look. Cloud-connected navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Alexa, enhanced voice recognition, and Ford Power-Up OTA software updates are some of the key features of the SYNC 4 infotainment system. As for interior color options, customers choose the carried-over Ebony or the new Space Gray.

Specifications

The 2023 Ford Escape PHEV carries over the previous model’s plug-in hybrid system that combines a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine with an electric motor that gets its energy from a 14.4 lithium-ion battery pack. The combined power of the electrified engine is 210 hp. Charging the battery pack takes 10-11 hours (Level 1 charger)/~3.5 hours (Level 2 charger). Ford expects the EPA-est. electric range to be the same as that of the previous model – 37 miles.

Four electric driving modes are available in the 2023 Escape PHEV: Auto EV, EV Now, EV Later, and EV Charge. In Auto EV, the vehicle automatically chooses the source of energy (gas/electricity). In EV Now, the vehicle operates on electric power. In EV Later, the vehicle avoids using electric power and saves the battery pack’s charging for later use. In EV Charge, the battery pack gets charged up while driving on gas.

Aspect	2023 Ford Escape PHEV Specification
Length	180.1 in.
Width	78.7 in.
Height	66.1 in.
Wheelbase	106.7 in.
Passenger Volume	102.2 cu. ft.
Cargo Volume (rear seats up/folded)	34.4 cu. ft./60.8 cu. ft.
Drivetrain Layout	FWD
Engine	2.5L MPI naturally aspirated gasoline
Engine Power	163 hp at 6,250 rpm
Engine Torque	155 lb.- ft. at 4,500 rpm
Transmission	eCVT
System Power	210 hp
Maximum Towing Capacity	1,500 lbs.
Charging Time (Level 1/Level 2)	10-11 hours/~3.5 hours
Targeted EPA-est. Electric Range	37 miles

The restyled plug-in hybrid SUV is very fuel efficient and that should be its top selling point. If a customer drives less than 30 miles a day, they can rely mostly on the electric power of the Escape PHEV and charge the battery once they get home.

Price & Release Date

When the 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid arrived in October 2022, its was priced at USD 38,500, and an additional USD 1,495 in destination charges was applicable over the MSRP. Since then, Ford has quietly increased the plug-in hybrid SUV’s MSRP by USD 2,000 to USD 40,500.

We continue to spot the 2023 Escape Plug-in Hybrid at across U.S. dealerships. Buckner, Missouri-based Halvorson Ford, Niles, Illinois-based Golf Mill Ford, Randolph, Ohio-based Sarchione Ford, South Burlington, Vermont-based Heritage Ford, and others having it in stock have listed cars online.

The Escape Plug-in Hybrid is drawing many new customers to Ford. In Q2 2023, it was the brand’s first vehicle for nearly half of its customers. Ford delivered 43,690 units of the Escape, including its plug-in hybrid variant, in Q2 2023. Compared to Q2 2022 (33,958 units), that was 28.7% growth. YTD sales as of June compared to 2022 are 12.3% down, though – 64,839 units (January-June 2022: 73,920 units).

TopElectricSUV says

The 2023 Ford Escape PHEV is a decent upgrade over the previous model, sporting an appealing design, a more intuitive infotainment system, and new color choices with the familiar frugal plug-in hybrid powertrain that has the potential to deliver over 100 MPGe. We only wish it had a lower starting price!

2023 Ford Escape PHEV FAQs

Featured Image Source: Ford