Review: 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid - Ruined by High Pricing

I spend a week with the 2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid to see what it's like to live with. And while it certainly has some pros and cons, overall it's let down by high pricing compared to its plug-in hybrid competitors that all give you more for the same or less money. What do you think about the plug in hybrid Escape? Thanks to Ford for providing this vehicle to review.
0:00 Exterior
1:23 Interior
5:21 Initial impressions
8:16 Acceleration
10:08 Handling and ride
11:45 Battery info
13:31 Highway driving and safety tech
17:19 Efficiency
20:08 Other thoughts after a week
23:08 Pricing and competitor comparisons
27:19 Final thoughts
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[@androiduberalles]

50K? What are they on? lol Ford has been charging too much for a while imo.

[@jakemathis3496]

I love Ford, prob my favorite car company but I have to agree with you. F-150s are out of control. Dad and I built a 2024 XLT High package on the website and it was 62,000 that’s insane.

[@nilakalis854]

ALL of Ford's stuff is way too high. The Mav was supposed to be like 20k, now you're lucky to find one for under 27

[@jordanyeager9220]

Yea, buick is starting to look better day by day.

[@im_an_alvani]

It might be the rental car white or the complete chaos under the hood but that does not look like $50,000 worth of car.

[@mtunofun1]

haha I’ve driven a white color ford product since 2013. I call it insurance adjuster white.

[@im_an_alvani]

Too true! lol@@mtunofun1

[@sxlx]

Looks like a 15k rental you find at Hertz But great video Matt! Only you can get me to watch a car I have no interest in!

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Haha thanks for watching anyway, I appreciate it!

[@durskoenig]

Just got a 2023 Escape PHEV. With incentives the cost was $34+. Extremely happy with it.

[@blardpurple5442]

I daily drive a 2021 SEL Hybrid (Non Plug in) LOVE the car. I paid $33K for it (Brand new) and for a Low $30K car it's Everything i can expect and ask for. Power is good, MPG is Amazing 50's in town, It's no Porsche and It's no Lexus but for the Price I paid for it, It's a great ride. But... this Plug in? $50K?? WHY?

[@Thebusdriverandgamermorefan790]

I hopefully someday, I buy this as my 1st car.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

It will also be your last Ford.

[@markaruski]

Thanks Matt, I was interested to know more about this model-- you are right, way too expensive!

[@scottlenahan8228]

$50,0000…… Holy hell.

[@tomrakusan1179]

Ford’s lost its “edge.” 50k?! The so many complaints about key components such as the 10R80 transmission……..lifelong ford fan no more.

[@jazzbeau507]

"Have you driven a Ford lately?" Yes, and I didn't buy one.

[@themidnighttavern6784]

The maverick is excellent. But this thing seems like a swing and miss.

[@gaivoron]

​@@themidnighttavern6784define excellence. Its far from a logical purchase between greedy dealers to poor reliability feedback.

[@themidnighttavern6784]

@@gaivoron The maverick has scored very well in terms of reliability. So I don't know what you're talking sbout

[@themidnighttavern6784]

@@gaivoron The maverick is hands down the best affordable new car in terms of reliability, fuel efficiency, driving dynamics, and utility. It's the most well rounded entry level vehicle you can buy.

[@gaivoron]

@@themidnighttavern6784 lmao so nice gotta reply twice. Nah, it's just not reliable, as per consumer reports.

[@seaassault0956]

You mentioned the pop up HUD, you failed to mention that the RAV4 Prime's windshield equipped with the "true HUD" is $1500 and not fully covered by some insurance policies. The RAV4 Prime also cannot charge the high voltage batteries while driving, like the Ford can. The Toyota must be plugged in to charge them. The Toyota is also 400 lbs heavier than the Ford. Which may help account for its lower mileage on the gas engine. The Toyota has a smaller center display. As far as the Hyundai, KIA, and Nissan. I spoke with multiple mechanics in my area and all said to avoid them unless they throw in the extended warranty that covers all the components of the hybrid system. None were willing to do that. I paid $30,165 out the door for a new 2023 Ford Escape PHEV. Ford also financed at 0% for 72 months. I did test drive the RAV4 Prime that was comparably equipped. The base price was $51,632 and they refused to lower the price. I was told "If you don't buy it, someone else will". So out the door with tax and licensing was $58,880. They did offer 8.99% financing through Toyota. I am sorry, but AWD and the Toyota logo on the grill was not worth $27,000 more at sale and an additional $13,300 in interest payments over 72 months. That brought the total pay off price of the Toyota to $72,180. That is $42,015 more than I paid for the Ford Escape out the door. I don't work for Ford or have any relationship with them. I just feel that people deserve the whole story especially if they are looking at this video to research buying a new vehicle.

[@gregcoad9153]

Paid $48k for Escape PHEV with premium options package. RAV4 Prime best price for less equipped was over $65k. Tucson and Sportage PHEVs were $52-55k. Not sure what you’re talking about in terms of pricing. $48k for a fully equipped, premium PHEV mid-sized SUV seems right in the ballpark. Sure there are plenty of ICE and HEVs for less, but what are we talking about here??

[@nintendoatarikiller]

9:10 good lord that spaghetti mess of wires and hoses. No AWD or eAWD is a big miss.

[@yaroslavgorislabe3551]

All modern Ford's models are ridiculously overpriced nowdays - that is strange for home producer.

[@naveenthemachine]

50k!? That’s Lincoln Corsair / gv70 money right there. Heck I’d even get a dodge hornet over this

[@gregcoad9153]

It will be abundantly clear why pop up HUD screen is preferred, the first time a Tucson or Sportage owner has to replace their windshield.

[@hypershadow87]

*#Ford**.... seriously dropping the ball on this **#Escape** when it comes to its price versus a **#Mitsubishi** **#Outlander**. I may sound crazy, but I only value this CUV at around $20k. I'd only get one used. It's unfortunate because it looks super nice on the outside. For $50k, I have sooooo many used options.*

[@twotrackjack2260]

Great review Matt, I was curious about this refresh. It's unfortunate that this is priced so high. I think it would be more competitive around the $35,000 mark.

[@jakemathis3496]

Almost 50k for a regular car sucks. It hurts to see but ford is going down a weird path. They’re trying to charge luxury car prices for decent, but not luxury cars.

[@Accost2u]

I wouldn’t even stretch to calling this thing “decent” considering the competition.

[@tomdoe4962]

I smell failure here, but I guess it would be hard to get me to buy another Ford. My wife had a 2010 Escape and I started noticing rust about 6 months after the 5 yr rust warranty expired. She liked the car so I took it to a body shop and the guy is like not worth fixing and do you want me to show you where else it's rusting and yup it was rusting there too. We had it till 2022 about 110K miles. Huge rust on the rear quarters near the wheel wells. The local mechanic knew my number and would say hi Tom and would ask what's going on with the Escape. Water pump, fuel rail, 2 injectors, coil packs, tie rod ends, stabilizer links (2X), compressor, ball joints, rear hatch switch, moon roof leak and man the engine I'd say 50K onward felt tired. Gas mileage for something so small was atrocious. From new shift from forward to reverse wait at least 5 seconds for the transmission to engage. That was the worst car I have ever owned by far. Had to come back I can't believe I forgot to include the time I was driving on the highway and hear a bang and now I got no alternator or AC. I guess I had a good battery because I was able to make it 10 minutes driving to the repair shop the problem the serpentine belt tensioner had rusted and fell off the car. This is like a 6 or 7 year old car. POS

[@erinudell9250]

just got my new 2023 escape PHEV - with quite a few additional options (not as many as the car reviewed though) and after the federal tax and state tax rebates/credits (the other phev SUVs don't qualify for the fed credit because of the battery requirements), plus dealer cash back to get the 2023s off the lot, will cost a grand total of 27,740. I would never pay over 40k for this car, but I'm very happy with it at the price I got it.

[@mikeatback]

Reliable, good fuel economy, and cheapest for its class. It will be 5-10k more for others in its class. Rav4 prime is like 15k more because its highly marked up. Whereas this you should be able to pay below msrp.

[@jordanyeager9220]

Front looks better than the last gen.

[@naveenthemachine]

I oddly like the 2017-19 model. I find that gen a bit more attractive Imo the quality in that gen seems to be better and the 6 speed auto is bulletproof

[@jonlosito2004]

Just saw the 2024 Ford Escape review from The Straight Pipes today 😂😂

[@user-qc5ht6rk1y]

50k should be the top trim with all packages, and it's not worth it. I've ordered one (named Kuga in my area) for 29k euros (roughly 31.5k USD), with basic trim, winter package, spare tire, and towbar. (I got 6k from the government for being a plug-in). The idea is that you cannot find a car with a decent engine here under 30k; mostly, they are 1, 1.2, or 1.5L 3-cylinder turbocharged engines. I found a Tucson for 26k, but it has low mpg. So I settled for this one, which has better efficiency and also a 2.5L NA ICE.

[@FakeNews953]

50k! Lmaoooo!!!!! Insane!

[@user-vh3yf3ve3l]

Matt have you ever driven a huracan ?

[@trenton737]

The reason its removable is because that's were the backup spot for the key fob goes.

[@bobert866]

It really sucks that this is the same company/brand to build the mustang. F Ford.

[@Molishious]

I have a 24 RAV4 prime that still beats this hands down. More horsepower, range and its AWD. I’d get it over the ford for the climate controls alone. Why they’d remove physical controls and replace them with screen controls that take multiple taps is beyond me other than cost savings. The large screen is nice but looks like an afterthought.

[@irishuwould5185]

That’s easily a 20k car…if that. What a piece of junk. It’s everything nobody wants.

[@XKS99]

Did this channel fall off the algorithm or something?

[@yanal0611]

Man… I cannot fathom paying 25k for this. Let alone their bizarre asking price. Ford is on something else.

[@Accost2u]

Yeah I think I’d just get a Model Y and avoid the modern Ford junk like this.

[@whiteandnerdytuba]

Crap like this is why ford is losing models and lifelong customers left and right.

[@reserva120]

Ford is stupid, very high price very low quality