Is the 2023 Ford Escape a Good SUV? 5 Pros and 4 Cons
Long a popular (if not top-scoring) choice in a crowded field of compact SUVs, the Ford Escape has been freshened for 2023 with new exterior styling, added tech features and other updates.
Related: 2023 Ford Escape Review: Stepping On the Gas (and Some Rakes)
While the changes help make for a better Escape, they aren’t enough to make it a class leader. In fact, in our recent comparison test of six top contenders, the Escape finished dead last. That is not to say the Escape is not without appeal or worth a look depending on your needs, however. Sixth in a category with so many choices makes the Escape more of a midfield finisher overall.
Road Test Editor Brian Normile took a closer look at the updated Escape in the ST-Line Elite trim and found some positive attributes in spite of the shortcomings found in our comparison test. His complete review can be found by tapping the link above, but for an abridged version, read on below for five things we like about the 2023 Ford Escape and four things we do not.
Things We Like
1. Peppy Powertrain
Stepping up to the ST-Line Elite trim gets the more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which is paired with a smooth shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The powertrain is a strong suit, frugal with fuel while delivering lively acceleration around town with plenty in reserve for highway passing.
2. Capable in Corners
The Escape delivers lively and nimble handling to go with its aggressive looks, making it an enjoyable companion for driving on twisty roads. While perhaps not as sporty overall as the Mazda CX-50, the Escape held its own during our spirited driving, and its brakes were up to the job with smooth stops and an easily modulated pedal.
3. Easy on Gas
Even with its lively acceleration, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivered an impressive performance during more than 300 miles of real-world fuel economy testing. We recorded 31.1 mpg overall, beating the other SUVs in our comparison test, as well as the EPA’s estimate of 23/31/26 mpg city/highway/combined. In contrast, the second-best Nissan Rogue averaged only 29.3 mpg.
4. Big Screen
The refresh brings a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, which runs the latest version of Ford’s Sync 4 operating system. With crisp graphics, a logical menu structure and an easy-to-use interface, the screen is bright, vivid and simple to operate on the move. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also part of the package.
5. Room With a View
A low hood, big and relatively upright windshield, and large side windows make for good visibility to the front and sides — something that can’t always be said of newer vehicle designs. The view helps with maneuvering and parking in tight quarters and on the open road.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Numb Steering
Even though the ST-Line Elite has sporty pretensions, our test vehicle’s lively acceleration and agile handling were let down by its steering, which felt numb and uncommunicative. The lack of steering feel leads to a lack of confidence, particularly in more spirited driving.
2. Budget Accommodations
The look and feel of the Escape’s interior is somewhat disappointing, especially compared with more reasonably priced alternatives. Even in our upper-trim test vehicle, with added touches that included black leather seats and red contrast stitching, the overall quality is more like a rental car than an upscale model. There’s a lot of hard plastic trim, and even those upgraded seats felt too firm to be comfortable.
3. Control Issues
The big touchscreen is a nice addition, but it also houses climate and audio functions that would be more easily operated by physical knobs and switches. A few buttons below the screen remain for the 360-degree camera system and other controls, but even those are oddly laid out and awkward to use. Worse is the optional head-up display, which uses a low screen that rises out of the dash and is harder to read than a projection display onto the windshield.
4. Cost of Entry
Our tested Escape came to $43,650 (including destination), making it the most expensive vehicle in our six-SUV test. Its low-rent interior and other drawbacks would be easier to forgive if it were bargain-priced, but it wasn’t. A lower trim level might be a better value proposition, particularly if you can do without some of the extra features that come with the ST-Line Elite.
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