October 25th 2022
The Ford Escape has received a mid-cycle refresh welcoming a new ST-Line trim, two hybrid models, and more advanced facilities. The ST-Line Elite is a new variant that joins the previously available ST-Line and ST-Line Select.
The ST-Line series comes with refreshed exterior and interior design. On the outside, we find a black mesh grille, an exclusive rear skid plate, a single-wing rear spoiler, and a “coast to coast” LED light bar covering the space between headlamps. The latter is only available for the Elite to add a touch of elegance.
The interior gets Alexa Built-In in addition to SYNC 4 with accessible Enhanced Voice Recognition and Connected Built-in Navigation. The SYNC 4 infotainment system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. There is a big 13.2-inch diagonal screen joining a digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster.
The new safety tech includes Evasive Steering Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Predictive Speed Assist, a 360-degree camera, rear parking sensors, and Cross Traffic Braking. Besides, the Co-Pilot 360 adds new tech in the form of Intersection Assist 2.0 and Blind Spot Assist. The former is ideal for preventing pedestrian collisions while turning, whereas the latter gives visual and vibration cues when someone in the blind spot is about to crash with the vehicle.
The new Ford Escape ST-Line features a 1.5-liter EcoBoost producing 180 horsepower, directed to the front wheels or available AWD system. The customer can also opt for a hybrid powertrain with an estimated range of 550 miles. The ST-Line Select and ST-Line Elite come with more power using a 2.0-liter EcoBoost yielding 250 hp mated to a standard AWD. Customers can also have these variants with a hybrid powertrain.
Besides, Ford offers a plug-in-hybrid model housing a 2.5-liter petrol engine and an electric motor. The total system output stands at 210 hp, sent to the front or all the wheels. Ford targets 37 miles all-electric range. The battery would take around 11 hours to juice up on a 110-volt Level 1 charger and 3.5 hours on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
Expect the 2023 Ford Escape to hit the roads next year.
Source and Images: Motor1