Revealed: 2023 Ford Escape updated with new face, more tech, ST-Line

Detroit — Introduced in 2020, the fourth-generation Ford Escape gets a refresh for the 2023 model year. But in the auto market’s most popular non-truck class, no refresh is minor.

Ford’s fourth best-selling vehicle — after the iconic F-150 pickup, F-series heavy duty pickups, and Explorer SUV — Ford’s compact SUV receives new model badging, new interior screens ‘n’ tech, and a revised exterior wardrobe.

You’ll know it by the reworked front end that pulls back from its predecessor’s low, Ford Focus-like grille for a broader mouth with the Blue Oval logo moved from hood to the mid-grille. The smiling, meshed grille is still in contrast with the design of the Bronco Sport, with which Escape has shared the segment since 2021.

“Escape is the perfect city vehicle with its flexible, modern architecture,” said Ford SUV marketing guru Craig Patterson.

To that end, Ford charged its European design studio to pen the Escape. With narrow streets and dense city centers, Europeans know a thing or two about urban vehicles (the Escape is badged as Kuga on the other side of the pond).

With Escape aimed at urban customers and Bronco Sport targeted at adventure types, Ford’s two-compact SUV strategy has paid off, expanding segment sales by nearly 70%. As a result, the Ford twins now sell upwards of 253,000 vehicles a year, good enough for fourth in segment in 2021 behind the Japanese Big Three of Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue.

The Escape/Bronco Sport tag team isn’t the only Ford lineup change that has affected Escape. With the demise of EcoSport for the ‘23 model year, Escape will now be Ford’s entry-level SUV at $28,995. Ford’s Maverick, built on the same platform as Escape/Bronco Sport, is the brand’s cheapest vehicle at $23,670.

While one of Escape’s chief competitors, the Honda CR-V, is ditching its base model for a $32,355 starting point, Escape will continue to offer a nicely-equipped standard model for under $30K. Powered by a 1.5-liter, 190-horse engine — one of four engine options for the SUV — the Base will feature standard blind-spot assist, an 8-or-13.2-inch center screen, and state-of-the-art SYNC 4 infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (the CR-V only offers wireless CarPlay with its larger, 8-inch screen).

Then the Escape lineup really gets interesting.

Taking an off-ramp from alphanumeric naming convention, Escape is the first Blue Oval model to shelve its SE and SEL models for proper names. Say hello to the new Base, Escape Active, Plug-in, ST-Line and Platinum lineup.

Significantly, each trim (except hybrid models) offers the option of all-wheel-drive (a $1,500 upgrade) and the 13.2-inch screen, in addition to two tech packages. Most noteworthy is the all-new, sporty ST-Line trim.

A descendant of the brand’s iconic ST performance models, Ford expects ST-Line (starting at $33,835) to make up 50% of sales with its trendy, black-trimmed wardrobe, rocker-panel cladding, 18-inch wheels, flat-bottom steering wheel, rear skidplate, and rear spoiler. It will also option three drivetrains: 1.5-liter turbo-4, 2.0-liter turbo-4 and hybrid. An ST-Line Elite package stand out with an LED front mono-brow and 19-inch ebony wheels.

ST-Line replaces Escape’s similar, blacked-out SE Sport Hybrid trim which — at under $30,000 — aimed at selling electrified tech to the mainstream, meat ‘n’ potatoes Escape buyer. How times have changed. Though the hybrid made up about 15-20% of Escape sales, it is no longer the focus of Ford’s electrified strategy. Not with the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E EVs on the lot.