Assessing the 2023 Ford Escape - Is it suitable to come back at this time?

Categories: Reviews

Posted: April 20, 2023

The Ford Escape (or Ford Kuga) is a mid-size Crossover/SUV model produced by Ford. In the Ford family, the Escape sits between the Ecosport and EVEREST. The Escape used to be distributed in Vietnam from the early 2000s. However, at the end of 2013, Ford unexpectedly announced that it would cease production. Until now, the Ford Escape remains one of the most popular models among SUV enthusiasts. Nevertheless, many SUV lovers still seek to purchase this car (as a used car) due to its good driving experience and sturdy construction.

How much is the Ford Escape car?

On its first debut at the Auto Expo, the new Ford Escape quickly made a strong impression on viewers thanks to its extremely prominent appearance and seemingly "transformed" compared to the previous generation.

The price of the Ford Escape is predicted to range from USD 36,490 to USD 53,440, including the ST-Line/Vignale versions. This model has not yet had an official launch date. Carcover will provide the latest updates on Escape prices as soon as there is specific information from the manufacturer.

version Ford Escape	price (USD)
Ford Escape FWD	$26.080
Ford Escape ST-Line FWD	$28,490
Ford Escape ST-Line AWD	$29.800
Ford Escape Vignale FWD	$30.960
Ford Escape Vignale AWD	$33.960
Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV FWD	$38.030

A total of 9 exterior colors are equipped on the Ford Escape model version 2022-2023. These colors include: White, black, silver, red, velocity green, gray, orange, desert yellow and dark Persian green.

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Ford Escape Specifications

The Ford Escape has been redesigned and equipped with premium features. It can help you navigate a busy schedule, with a new interior that offers ample cargo space and second-row seating with exceptional legroom. The 2023 Ford Escape can also assist you with parking, thanks to its rear camera and alert system.

Specifications

Length x width x height (mm)	4585 x 1882 x 1742
Wheelbase (mm)	2620
Front/rear wheelbase (mm)	1550/1530
Ground clearance (mm)	200
Unladen weight (kg)	1583
Full load weight (kg)	1986
Fuel tank capacity (L)	61
Number of doors	5
Number of seats	5
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Engine	EcoBoost (1.5L) / EcoBoost (2.0L) / Atkinson – cycle (2.5L)
Cylinder displacement (cc)	2261
Diameter x Stroke	87.5 x 94.0
Maximum power (Hp/rpm)	142 /6000
Maximum torque (Nm/rpm)	196/4000
Acceleration time from 0 to 100km/h	9.6 (seconds)
Cyclic electronic fuel injection system	Yes
Variable valve control system	Yes
Brake system	Disc brake
Tire size	215/70R16

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Exterior of Ford Escape

At its selling price, the Ford Escape will have many opportunities to compete with its rival, the Honda CR-V, as this model is priced higher by $5,000-$7,000. Meanwhile, the Mazda CX-5 has an equivalent and slightly higher price point. However, the engine equipped on the Mazda is not as powerful and does not provide the same good customer experience as the Ford Escape.

With an overall size of D x R x C = 4585 x 1882 x 1742 (mm), the 2022 Ford Escape has been refined from its previous version to provide the most optimal space for customers. Looking at the front of the vehicle, it can be seen that the new version of the Ford Escape has undergone quite a few changes.

The Ford Escape boasts a sleek and sporty appearance, with muscular lines and distinctively American features that are unmistakably Ford.

The heat dissipation grille is designed to be more expanded, with horizontal bars removed and replaced by eye-catching hexagonal blocks. Along with that is a chrome border surrounding it to bring youthfulness and elegance to the car when viewed from the front.

The LED headlight system is designed sharper, extending to both sides and integrating a strip of position lights below, which is highly appreciated by customers. The LED fog light cluster is also streamlined compared to the old version, looking very "innovative".

The 2023 Ford Escape version brings many new things in improved design style. When looking from the side, the roof has a sleek and powerful design that sweeps backward for the car. The lines on the sides of the car are very soft and gentle, making the body of the car not really masculine. Especially the eye-catching wheel design with a choice of 18 or 19-inch multi-spoke wheels helps increase the sportiness of this new version.

The tail lights are designed in a small rectangular shape, with such designs creating a seamless look and a wider horizontal feel to the car. In the center position, the word "Escape" is chrome plated to give a luxurious feel to the rear of the car. The lower bumper with dual exhaust pipes remains unchanged from the previous version.

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The Interior of Ford Escape

The interior space of Ford Escape 2023 has been redesigned with sporty lines that provide a luxurious feeling. The new Ford Escape attracts attention and changes the way you look at other SUVs. Its interior has also been redesigned with all the features and conveniences to make traveling easier.

The control panel has undergone a complete transformation with sharp, sleek lines and a touch screen display prominently featured in the center, which is much more aesthetically pleasing than the previous version. Particularly noteworthy is the modern rotary knob which has replaced the traditional dial, providing a convenient and luxurious feel that caters to customers of wealth and status.

The 2023 Ford Escape steering wheel still features a 3-spoke design, leather wrapping, and integrated buttons to assist the driver in controlling the vehicle. The digital instrument cluster is located right behind the wheel, displaying a multitude of performance parameters for this model.

The seating system is entirely covered with leather, which helps this car model score higher than some competitors in the same segment. The driver's seat can be adjusted manually in 6 directions, and the premium version can be adjusted electrically in 10 directions, along with the ability to fold the rear seats 60:40, bringing convenience to customers during use.

Especially, on this new version, the second-row seats feature easy-to-slide capability which enhances legroom and creates a comfortable feeling for rear passengers.

Despite having a low roofline, the headroom for passengers in the Ford Escape 2022 is larger than the previous generation, and both rows of seats have more shoulder and hip room for larger occupants due to the vehicle's larger design. The second row of seats is placed on a sliding rail system, optimizing the space for passengers or cargo in the back.

With a luggage compartment capacity of up to 1062L when folding the rear seats, the Ford Escape is considered to have the largest storage capacity in its segment. Therefore, the car can help you carry quite a lot of luggage on family trips, which is very convenient.

Comfort and safety on Ford Escape

The Ford Escape 2023 in terms of amenities is quite complete, the weaknesses of the previous generation have been overcome.

Projector LED lighting system
Smart key
Panoramic sunroof
Electric shifter
Automatic air conditioning
SYNC III connectivity system with a 10.25-inch touch screen
Digital center gauge
Premium leather seats with power adjustment for the driver and passenger
Power liftgate/trunk lid.

The 2023 Ford Escape is considered the smartest generation of the Escape. There are quite a few modern features appearing on this model, such as a digital clock, a large Sync 3 integrated screen, a HUD, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and the Co-Pilot360 driver assistance package including blind-spot warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, emergency automatic braking support, and more.

There are several advanced safety features equipped on the 2022 version of the Ford Escape. Specifically, these features include:

Traction control system
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Post-collision SOS alert system
Vehicle stability assist
Tire pressure sensors
Anti-theft system, electronic brakeforce distribution
6 airbags

The top-of-the-line Ford Escape model also comes with additional safety features such as cruise control, all-wheel drive system to enhance road grip, and front/rear parking sensors.

Ford Escape engine and operation

As for the engine and performance of the Ford Escape, there are three options for customers to choose from:

EcoBoost engine (1.5L), 3 cylinders, generating a maximum power of 180 horsepower and maximum torque of 240Nm. Comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system.
EcoBoost engine (2.0L) on the Titanium version, generating a maximum power of 250 horsepower and maximum torque of 372 Nm, extremely powerful. This version also uses an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system as an option. This provides much greater towing capacity than its competitor, the Mazda CX-5 (1578/907 Kg).
Hybrid and plug-in Hybrid engine including an Atkinson-cycle engine (2.5L), generating a maximum power of 198 horsepower. Along with that is a CVT gearbox and a strong front-wheel drive system.

Equipped with a powerful engine, particularly the 2.0L EcoBoost version, the customers can experience the most exhilarating acceleration. Additionally, with four integrated driving modes: Auto EV, Now EV, Later EV, and EV Charger, users can conveniently charge their phones while on the move.

Moreover, the vehicle comes with multiple body control assistance technologies, and a four-wheel drive system that enables the driver to easily control the car while driving at high speeds or on slippery roads. Compared to its rivals in the segment such as the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5, the 2022 Ford Escape is highly rated for its solid driving feel.

The Ford Escape offers fairly good fuel efficiency and is a plus in attracting customers. A real-world test has shown that when fully refueled on all versions of the 2022 Ford Escape, the vehicle can travel up to 650 km, and the electric engine can run up to 900 km, a rather impressive number.

Compare with other cars in the same segment

Here are some bullet points outlining the strengths and weaknesses of the 2023 Ford Escape compared to its competitors in the same segment:

Strengths:

Agile handling and comfortable ride quality compared to Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V
Fuel-efficient engines and available all-wheel drive system
Advanced technology features, including a large touchscreen infotainment system and driver assistance technologies
Impressive safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS

Weaknesses:

Smaller cargo space compared to Honda CR-V
Higher starting price compared to some competitors
Interior materials may not be as high quality as some competitors, such as the Mazda CX-5
Rear seat legroom may be slightly cramped compared to some competitors, such as the Subaru Forester.

Conclusion

There are a number of advantages that can be observed in the Ford Escape, such as its attractive exterior design, numerous convenient features, and premium safety on the vehicle. Especially, the price range of the versions that the company offers is also very appealing to customers.

The Ford Escape exudes a strong and masculine character, even though it has not yet arrived in the country. It is a product line that is favored by many enthusiasts of practical cars and those who seek an authentic driving experience. Hopefully, through this article, you can learn more about this model and "snatch" one up as soon as they arrive on the market.