2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

The 2023 Ford Escape compact crossover SUV has been given a makeover to keep it competitive in its market segment. On the face of it, there's very little wrong with the Escape. It rides comfortably, offers above-average towing capability, and gives you a choice of powertrains. For the 192-horsepower hybrid and 210-hp plug-in hybrid Ford Escape models we review here, competition is fierce and, against formidable rivals such as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime PHEV, the Ford is starting to feel a little old and ordinary, hence the facelift and update. While the RAV4 is the top-selling compact passenger vehicle in the USA, the Escape was left languishing all the way down in 24th position last year, so Ford is hoping that refresh will stimulate sales and revive interest in the somewhat anonymous, if perfectly capable, Escape. The thrifty hybrids certainly have a lot going for them if efficiency is important to you.

The new Ford Escape Hybrid ST-Line's price starts at $33,340. Next up is the ST-Line Select, which will cost you $35,040. The Platinum is the only trim that can be had in a choice of FWD or AWD, the former costing $36,965 and the latter $38,465. The MSRP of the Ford Escape Hybrid ST-Line Elite is $39,460; it is the most expensive of the regular Ford Escape Hybrid trims. The only PHEV model is offered in one trim only, and it breaches the $40k mark with a price of $40,500. None of these prices include the $1,495 destination fee.

The Escape Hybrid doesn't embarrass itself and is competent on the road, riding with an absorbent composure and insulating its occupants from bumps and vibrations. Handling is not very agile, thanks to the soft suspension, but we suspect the majority of crossover drivers will be happy with the compromise and prefer the comfort approach - especially considering the well-tuned steering that still provides some feel. It corners a little more eagerly than the standard Escape, presumably due to a lower center of gravity with all the hybrid gubbins underneath. The regular Hybrid isn't quick, reaching 60 mph in around 8.5 seconds, but the electric assistance is smooth and instant, helping it feel perfectly adequate, while the blended braking is unobtrusive and well-judged, making the Escape Hybrid easy to drive - and possibly the best-balanced Escape you can buy. The CVT mostly does its job in the background and eliminates the sometimes irritating indecisiveness of the regular gas Escape's eight-speed auto. The PHEV gets to 60 mph in around eight seconds thanks to its 18-hp power advantage over the hybrid.

Seen in isolation, the Ford Escape Hybrid is a very competent compact hybrid crossover that does most things well enough to merit consideration. It rides comfortably, its hybrid system is properly integrated, being seamless and smooth in operation, and it rides very comfortably. Its cabin is a bit plasticky in places and it doesn't have the biggest trunk, so it lacks that final layer of brilliance that would be needed to take on and beat the competition, especially the much quicker RAV4 Prime. Overall, it's a better-resolved and smoother-driving car than the gas Escape, and the excellent economy seals the deal, making it the best Escape to buy. But it's still not the best Hybrid in this class, despite the recent round of updates, so we'd shop around before making a decision.

We'd go for the base ST-Line Hybrid. It looks sporty on the outside and inside thanks to its ST-Line specification and already comes with a full suite of driver assists and luxury features such as a power driver's seat and dual-zone climate control. Studies have shown that HEVs make a lot of sense over the long term compared to the money you save by not buying a PHEV, so we'd rather save the nearly $7k over the PHEV and get the normal HEV instead. That said, if you're going to make full use of the PHEV's all-electric range on a daily basis, rarely drive more than 30 miles a day, and keep it for several years, it might end up paying for itself - it also offers snappier performance than the normal hybrid and saving you money on the daily fuel budget, so there's a case to be made for it.