Facelifted Ford Escape shown in US
But local division has no immediate plans for angrier-looking mid-size SUV just yetA facelifted Ford Escape has made its public debut in the US, revealing an angry new – if not unexpected – aesthetic for the 2023 model year and a couple of optional new cabin goodies.
Exactly when we might see the latest Ford Escape in local showrooms remains a mystery for the time being given the Blue Oval’s local division is yet to announce any concrete plans for its Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 rival.
Still, the new model’s sharp new look should increase the appeal of the Ford Escape when it does eventually make its way to an Australian market that’s been slow to warm to Ford’s medium SUV offering since the current generation launched here in 2020.
The tougher new design does away with the current model’s stretched Focus look and gives the Escape a purposeful new frown backed up by more muscular contouring and a new octagonal grille design.
The new grille is capped by an LED strip that links the equally new headlight arrangements.
Little has changed as the rear beyond come softening of the tailgate’s signature lines and a more rounded bumper design, but the twin-exhaust exits have been retained – albeit shrunken and reshaped.
Few changes have been made within the cabin beyond an optional new 13.2-inch infotainment interface and no changes have been made to any of the Escape’s mechanicals.
North American Escapes can be had with four different powertrains comprising 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol, the familiar 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol, a self-charging hybrid and of course a plug-in hybrid, the latter of which has not long arrived in Australia.
The 2.5-litre plugless hybrid powertrain is one of the two big favourites to round out the initial phase of Ford Australia’s electrification strategy, which will see the local launch of five electrified models by the end of 2024.
The four confirmed models so far are the Ford Escape PHEV, Ford E-Transit, Ford E-Transit Custom and Ford Mustang Mach-E, with the remaining one set to be either the Escape hybrid or an electrified T6 product – Ranger or Everest hybrid.
Related: Ford Escape – What you need to know
Related: Ford Escape PHEV 2022 Review
Related: SPY PICS: Ford Escape gets angry new makeover
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