2023 Ford Escape | MotorWeek Road Test

The Ford Escape has a much longer history than many of its small crossover competitors; arriving in 2001 when car-based utility vehicles that weren’t station wagons were still a relatively new thing. Now in its 4th generation, the 2023 Escape gets some timely updates to stay ahead of the curve. #Ford #FordEscape #Escape
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[@zjones9876]

I miss the NA 2.5 in the older Escape. That was a proven rock solid engine if you did basic maintenance. Not everybody wants all the fancy tech under the hood.

[@jackdough8164]

I’d buy one of the new bronco sports if the offered that engine by its self. It’s funny to see it in the hybrid. I still have my 2011 escape with it and nearly 400k on it. Still runs like new and gets like 27 mpg with mostly rural and suburb driving

[@Snake-ms7sj]

I had a 2018 Ford Escape S with FWD and the 168 hp 2.5L port fuel injection engine. No problem with power. Wasn't quick off the start (about 9.2 secs 0-60 mph) but once it got going it had plenty of power on the highway. I was getting about 32 mpg on the interstate as long as I kept it at about 70 mph or under.

[@ericjohnson3887]

It's 2024 and this is the 1st review I've seen of the 2023 Escape.

[@foxtrot685]

They’re not worth the time to review it, honestly.

[@BReal-10EC]

Ford dealers still have LOTS of new 2023 Escapes still sitting on lots. Um.. Did Ford "incentivize" MW to review the 2023 model in hopes it might help move some old stock? Or MW is just really behind on editing and posting their videos - which can happen if the content is not something you find important.

[@joshc606]

It’s not as interesting as everything else that’s came out. Boring….but underpinnings are good

[@xXBurntBaconXx]

Retro Reviews.

[@BReal-10EC]

@@xXBurntBaconXx LOL- A two month old review is now a Retro Review. The leaves changing suggests this was shot in October.

[@AraCarrano]

The Drone shots on the Drag strip are a nice addition.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

An underrated car. I honestly love the design and think it’s just a bit overpriced. But with the markups, this car is a deal because a lot aren’t being sold. Would buy one definitely.

[@ShannonFrazier-s7e]

I just drove this car as a rental and was really impressed!! Small but mighty and enough leg room for my growing 10 year old son. Awesome gas mileage too!! 💕

[@michaelbrohl1625]

You can get better reliability, better performance, and better gas mileage for less money from multiple other vehicles in this class.

[@markschommer7407]

@@michaelbrohl1625 Just rode in one and I thought it had a very stiff suspension and stiff seats. Didnt like the high dash either. Guess I'm used to my Subaru Forester.

[@NALTOHQ]

Now this, this looks a LOT better in the front. Good job Ford.

[@gregoryleo4640]

Looks worse than the 2020-2022 Escapes. Bad job Ford. Should have stayed rounded.

[@3wheelmannc860]

Huge miss imo on PHEV not offering AWD. Sure mileage would be hit a little, but the convenience of AWD is worth it for me. I will have to pass on these offerings. As always, thanks for your fantastic review.

[@1_Papa]

Honest and good review, as usual. I've never owned an Escape, but I can honestly say that I've driven every generation of it (Due to incessant rent-a-car episodes) and I've NEVER been dissatisfied in any way by them; and that includes the versions of the Mercury Mariner and Lincoln MkC (great vehicle, stupid name). It's too bad that they couldn't cut the mustard as a sedan builder; you know, how their business got started in the first place! It sure seems like Toyota and Honda's celebration of their victory in that class is continuing, what with that Crown (better than any Taurus ever) sedan and that best-selling Camry, whose sales have them laughing at the graves of Taurus, Impala, 200, Avenger, Charger, 300, and coming soon, the Chevrolet Malibu, too! 🐰

[@flurpoid]

It's a shame that the Fusion didn't stick around, it really was quite good. Though it was unfortunate you couldn't get the 2.5l Duratec in the second gen Fusion in anything other than rental spec, as that motor was truly reliable.

[@1_Papa]

@flurpoid This is true. Very true; I know people with Fusions and they both loved them! I blame Jim Hackett and the current president, Jim Farley. They both meow fluently, if you know what I mean! 🐈!

[@cabaneencac5168]

Sad that they no longer offer cars in NA ...only pony cars.

[@A-classic-smithy]

There was nothing wrong with the taurus, people didn't take care of them. The only real issue with them was the rear struts, that was in the peanut taurus and almost 25 years ago. Same with the gm a bodies, still see them all over the place.

[@1_Papa]

@A-classic-smithy The ONLY Tauruses that warranted any creedo were the 1991-1995 and the 2000-2007 models. The GM W-Body withe the 3.8 "3800 Series V6s were outstanding. But all the rest were trash and none of them compare to the quality or reliability of similar Toyota Camries and Honda Accords. NONE of them could!

[@People-Business-And-Ideas]

This is the first Escape model. I'd consider buying.

[@flurpoid]

The first gen Escape/Tribute with the 2.3l and 3.0l continue to be the best. Real transmission, great engine reliability, better looking too imo. Newer cars prioritize interior/digital gimmicks too much over longevity and drivability.

[@TecnoEduRD]

Mazda engine and trasnmition

[@taurussho86]

​@@TecnoEduRDonly one of those engines were Mazda

[@JJPMustang]

2.3s weren’t stellar with reliability but the 3.0s WILL run forever with proper maintenance. Rust is the real Achilles heel of the first gen

[@jackdough8164]

The second gen was better than the first imo but both were way better than anything 2013 onwards. 2009-12 are probably the most reliable of all the escapes

[@jackdough8164]

@@JJPMustang yea the 2.3 was a dog lol. The 2.5 that was in the 09-12 and even in the third gens was a huge improvement

[@TheJohnlyh]

The only escape I'll get is just to escape the Ford showroom instead and get a Mazda cx 5. I like to think in a parallel universe ford continues to rebadge mazdas and we can get a ford escape which is more reliable, sporty and well built

[@intuitivedroning5006]

Had my hybrid escape for two years. It's been in the shop sixteen times for numerous issues but most offensive is the mid main screen keeps shutting down along with bad upgraded speakers that sound horrible, there's stuff shaking everywhere in the back and have had to glue things down to prevent it from making additional noises. It's gotten so bad Ford is buying back this car by the end of January. Still...I like the car and would keep it if it worked as intended but after these issues and the continuous ford eco sport rentals given (the worst car I've driven ever) moves me away from ford to something new.

[@TheJohnlyh]

What's wrong with ford lately. Their cars have terrible reliability, I known a friend with a fiesta with constant mechanical issues, problems with the ac compressor, transmission and even replaced the 1.0 ecoboost engine

[@intuitivedroning5006]

Each ford I've owned other than the edge has been a mechanical logistical nightmare. Love the escape brand but Fords quality is a huge step backwards.

[@nmnn422]

Not my 20 Escape hybrid with almost 50,000 miles absolutely nothing wrong with it.

[@crystalsong4924]

Mine escape 2019 is definitely awesome 😎! About to change 2023 PHEV escape soon😊

[@JohnEvans-ct6mz]

I really hope Ford has or is in the process of fixing a lot of the issues with the Ecoboost engines. These have so much more style and substance than a lot of their American competition.

[@2steaksandwiches665]

They don’t care. If they did, they would have taken their quality more seriously years ago. A day late and a dollar short

[@Benjamin06267485]

EXCELLENT VEHICLE AND VERY RELIABLE. AS WELL AS THE EDGE. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@christopherbowen1836]

0:45 minor nit, but the first two generations (through 2012) were standard, truck-like box-on-frame rather than car-like unibody construction. Those generations definitely had more of a truck/SUV feel than the later, crossover generations.

[@foxtrot685]

They absolutely were not. Those rode on a modified Mazda 626 platform and uses unibody construction. The Mazda 626 is not a truck…

[@Tully3674]

Ford finally has a dialed-in Escape to offer, yet the model line (along with the Edge) is gone in a year. That's unfortunate.

[@VinylMatador]

Startin the year off right, I see, with a Retro Review Lol

[@digitaldoc100]

Such a miss to be FWD only, and a plug in hybrid with less power that the non plug in crossovers that it competes with, namely the RAV4 and the Tucson. Ford can do better.

[@lotuslandmusic7770]

Every model except the PHEV is available in four-wheel-drive

[@digitaldoc100]

@@lotuslandmusic7770 Exactly! Makes no sense to offer the PHEV without the AWD.

[@roberthoyt7921]

I think the current Escape SUV may start borrowing as much time as possible.

[@jacobneal5388]

Ford still makes the 2.5L!? I had no idea. It’s a much better engine reliability wise than any of fords turbo 4 engines.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Boy they sure don’t look utilitarian like the great looking ones from the early 2000s

[@pbfloyd13]

The car for you if your local Starbucks employees know you by reputation.

[@TecnoEduRD]

Its incrediable that the ecoboost its been used, and its a mazda designed.

[@dudndadn12212]

42k for this hunk of junk? Yeah no

[@jeffkondra8246]

GREAT SUV.

[@TheJ1s]

When they do turn this to fully EV I hope they don't put in the same door handles like they did the Mach-E, and keep the screen horizontal with buttons.

[@atriobistro9529]

Better than Corolla Cross hybrid ?

[@momuzy6348]

Soccer mom stabbin cabin👀🤣

[@bm9074]

Not bad

[@KhrissyDaDon]

Something odd about the proportions of this generation Espace 😅

[@dha588]

I love my Ford escape! Said no one.

[@dha588]

The engine sounds broken already

[@davidbaron6647]

Nice

[@cabaneencac5168]

It seems that it is almost the same hybrid system that Toyota uses. Ford will be licensed to use Toyota's hybrid technology in a system it is developing, ...but Is it equal in terms of reliability?

[@tbecon]

Reviewing the PHEV version is not helpful as they don't sell hardly any of these so the vast majority of folks that might be interested in the Escape will have to look elsewhere for a review that is relevant to them. They might as well taken this to a track to appeal to those 3 people that uses their cars for track day.

[@CLL-1]

Is it possible to order these vehicles without the ridiculous big iPad screen in the center?

[@agrandefamilia1499]

Me and my wife having so much problems with our ford escape that we bought brand new since February the car started problems with transmission and now electric problems in 2023 we drove the maybe just 5 months, never we buy ford again, horrible horrible and no body can fix this shit

[@manigomez2387]

Same.

[@Subie-Driver]

This generally a piece of crap. The Bronco based on this platform flopped! Unreliable, crappy engine, just another ford product to steer clear of

[@nb7466]

They cost to much for no room. And a little 3 cylinder. Your literally getting less for more. They are not comfortable or anything. My fusion has more room. They didn't even update the ugly dash

[@Snake-ms7sj]

Think that's little? GM uses a 1.2L 3 cylinder turbo.

[@nb7466]

@@Snake-ms7sj yea. They are all anemic

[@overtorque]

Guys, come on. Everything is expensive anymore and it's a decent size for a mid suv. The 2.0 ecboost is a great motor since they fixed the coolant intrusion issue in 2020

[@nb7466]

@@overtorque well I guess that makes it's ok everyone. He said everything is so why change anything. We will just let it keep getting more expensive. It's a crap car. It there cheap car now since Ford only want to cater to the expensive crowd.

[@michaelsheedy]

Too expensive? The Active comes with lots of standard equipment like power seats and tailgate, and easy to find under $29,000. The ST is easy to find under $31,000 including rebates. And easy to find under $35,000. So stop with the too expensive comments. Ford is always aggressive with rebates and super low financing rates with Ford Credit if you qualify.

[@성태김-c1w]

Escape From Mundane

[@LearnAboutFlow]

Oh, they've upgraded the dealer service bays? Because that's where the Escape will live

[@pz6316]

I wonder if it still has that horrible sixty dual clerk transmission in it

[@arlofs]

Most Fords (with a few exceptions) that were developed in Germany were plagued with reliability issues. The ones I've owned that were developed by Mazda in Japan were excellent vehicles, on par with the best of Japan. The Ford Fusion and early versions of the Escape are great examples.

[@dannyg402012]

I had a 2002 Escape with the V-6. Purchased used in 2008 and traded it in for a new 2017 in 2017. That 2002 with the V-6 was one of the best vehicles I ever owned. Great motor, dependable and 0 problems and built well. My 2017 Escape Titanium. My best of the best so far. 0 problems, 65,000 miles and still like new. Not sure about the 2023's. Not thrilled about having heater and AC controls on the screen.

[@gregoryleo4640]

Ford used to own a large percentage of Mazda. Therefore, vehicles that you say "were developed by Mazda in Japan" are actually Ford vehicles because Ford owned Mazda at the time.

[@arlofs]

@@gregoryleo4640 That’s what I said. Ford’s Japanese division (Mazda) used to engineer more reliable cars than the German division.

[@USroute1]

Found On Road Dead and Fix Or Repair Daily. I've had 3 of them thru out the years. I'm a slow learner. 😂

[@BReal-10EC]

Mazda CX-30 AWD "Select Sport" trim (base doesn't even have keyless entry so I ignore it) is $26.5k. Granted, the Escape is bigger (behind front row)... but it's the cheapest crossover Ford sells now. Other brands sell CX-30s, HRVs, and all the entry level Crossover faker front wheel drive only models like the Trax, Corolla Cross, Kona, Seltos, Soul, Kicks, etc. Ford needs a smaller and cheaper - but still nice - Crossover. The 3rd world sourced Ecosport was a mistake.

[@RT-mm8rq]

Looks good. Still a Ford.

[@mybruthaskeepa745]

👍

[@frankgonzales1904]

Ford Escape, I never see this is the worst SWV in the market. I have 2 brand new. You have a problem with less than 30,000 k Milles.

[@robme3660]

I assume every Escape is a rental. Who in the heck would spend their own money on this trash? I bet Ford doesn't even allocate 1% their own money to R&R of this vehicle lineup.

[@foxtrot685]

It’s so cheaply built it’s actually offensive what they charge for it. Even its base price is $5k too much for Little Tikes quality plastics and a horrible features list.

[@flurpoid]

It's the mommy-mobile with the path of least resistance to purchase. Busy parents probably don't have the time to research all the nuances of a car before purchase, so they'll go with the vehicle that's heavily marketed to them from a well known brand.

[@solarflare1008]

Even the first ones comes with the manual transmission. Not anymore.

[@KeithSchwerin]

The back has Dodge Durango vibes. I really wish they would give it a REAL ST trim. Same for the Mavrick & Bronco Sport. Ford has nothing fun for people not wanting a Mustang or to spend 55K+ on a truck. This is the same brand that had a ZX2 S/R, SVT Contour and Focus SVT/ST and Fiest ST that now has NOTHING in the market for those former buyers. Its really why I'm looking at a Civic Si, or Integra A-Spec. Ford just offers NOTHING to me anymore and I've been buying Ford since 1998

[@flurpoid]

They could stick the 2.3l Ecoboost in the Maverick, Escape or Bronco Sport and they'd be proper quick. Surprised they haven't done this yet really, especially the Maverick. Or bring the Sport trim back to the lineup, that last Fusion Sport got the 2.7l Ecoboost and is fast for a Ford without a GT or ST badge.

[@KeithSchwerin]

@@flurpoid I always felt that version of the Fusion should have gotten the SHO badge. It was essentially a smaller Taurus SHO. They should have also when doing the mid gen refresh on the Taurus SHO bumped it to 375 or 380. I think they were just scared it was to close to the GT' output. But really who would be cross shopping a AWD near entry level luxury performance sedan and a RWD v8 coupe? Ford has always let the GT hamper its non-Mustang options. Its sad really when you look at what it COULD have built if it didn't spend so much time protecting the Mustang line. 220+Hp NA V6's, 200-230HP 4-bangers, were scrapped to protect what at the time was a 215-260HP GT.

[@rrad8106]

It's a shame that you won't touch on the abysmal Consumer Reports assessment of the Escape. We've stopped listening to your broadcasts when you stopped being honest about the reliability of vehicles.

[@Thunderbolt-ws7qm]

The hybrid and plug-in hybrid are Consumer Reports recommended models.

[@gregoryleo4640]

This boxy front end with strange shaped headlights looks hideous compared to the 2020-2023 more rounded Escapes. Very disappointed with this ugly appearance.

[@michaelbrohl1625]

It's not a terrific option. No all wheel drive, over priced, and poor Ford reliability. Hard Pass !!

[@xanderunderwoods3363]

Its so over priced. For the price I can buy a used 2022 Fully Loaded Mercedes AMG C43 4Matic AWD, its pointless to buy a new car.

[@NewDevanaYudityach8485]

The next event discussed the Toyota Innova Zenix hybrid car Made in Indonesia CBU at the roadtest event by Motoweek Innova cars produced in Indonesia are becoming increasingly global because Americans even like cars made in Indonesia until they are imported directly from the PT TMIN Karawang West Java Indonesia factory via South America That is all and thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@chicagoui9299]

Had to thumbs it down. I'm so tired of all these ugly boring SUV's I could vomit. It seems no one has any imagination of fun anymore. Make us all drive even more boring vehicles to our ever boring drives to work. Makes for a boring and very unhappy population. Good job

[@natelove187]

Bill Ford and his trucks ran Ford into the ground.

[@Thunderbolt-ws7qm]

Yeah, it's horrible when companies produce products that people want.

[@DavidLittle-y3e]

Give me the 2002 original escape,not this crap 🫤🫤

[@aarondowler2466]

I believe “I” stands for “inline. When compared to the motor week episodes it is easy to see just how ignorant the American public has become. Also the wokeness of the new episodes is sickening. I think I’ll stick with the retro. They remind me of how great our nation used to be.

[@mbox314]

The modern trend of putting screens everywhere is troubbleing, until cars become fully self driving the distractions in cars should be kept to a minimum. Also the high strung turbo engines and hybrid powertrains wont be doing owners any favors as they have a reputation to be short lived and mechanically totalling the car after 150k miles negates any savings in fuel economy.

[@Spad68]

To bad it isn't as good looking and gives the same options as the Kia sportage. Almost the same range for almost the exact same price for so much more . We went with the Kia sportage. Sad really. I was as Ford blue as they come but could not justify the difference to my wife. She was right to go with the Kia

[@stevemcgowen]

Not sure why they just didn't keep updating the Escort. It's wildly poplar here in Europe...

[@scorason]

Switched my Ecosport 2020 a Escape Activa 2023, I miss the the compact space but not the lack of a spare tire. Escape is smooth and economical

[@robertsmith1768]

The European Escort is a different than the old US Escort.

[@MandusahRamirez]

This is the reason I Escaped Ford😪

[@qmto]

The ‘an car’ of the 2020s. Almost offensively boring automobile. And staple of rental fleets everywhere. Who would actually buy one of these as their main car?

[@careywurdinger5238]

I love my Ford escape

[@husseinadib7666]

Horrible reputation for the Escape/Bronco sport. Almost bought a Bronco Sport but then, learned about the horror stories and it being on the top 10 worst cars to buy due to mechanical problems. I keep my cars for a long time, 9 to 10 years, can't take such a chance.

[@thevinceberry]

Whats wrong with them ?

[@hidefsteve]

Nightmare.

[@mattpierce1795]

Why anyone would buy this over the Mazda CX5 beats me, especially how ridiculous ford has these priced

[@Shelter93]

Really horrible acceleration. And if you have anybody in it carrying anything it's just gonna be worse. Missile call that the blue hair special.

[@JEK2006]

2:12 take that, Prius!

[@mikeyveloster7615]

A great suv from Ford with a lot of engine options 1.5L i-3 Turbo 180hp, 2.0L i-4 Turbo 250hp, 2.5L i-4 hybrid 192hp, 2.5L i-4 + 14.4kWh battery phev 210hp this will be one of the top selling compact suv's

[@dohc1067]

Imo, it's not a bad cuv, but it has fallen behind in terms of sales numbers, luxury, performance, and some engineering compared to Mazda, Honda, and Toyota.

[@LearnAboutFlow]

Best of all, you get that stellar Ford quality that has made the Escape one of the most unreliable vehicles today.

[@oreally8605]

That's the power the 2008-2015 Scion xB should have had and it'd still be around.