I'm glad they fixed the bug-eye look of the Escape with this refresh I liked the look of the '20 sans-headlights so it's nice to see they fixed that look.

Absolutely agree with you about the infotainment screen. Number one complaint with vehicles is infotainment systems, yet manufacturers keep putting more and more functions into the screen. I absolutely hate it and find it distracting.

The 2023 Escape comes standard with a 9" infotainment screen and physical buttons to control HVAC. For those of us who prefer smaller infotainment screens, physical buttons/knobs, and a lower cost vehicle - simply don't get the expensive $3,000+ Technology Package. The Technology Package adds many electronic features that many of us don't want, including the bigger 13.2" screen which replaces the HVAC buttons with on-screen controls. It's best to do some research of your own, instead of relying on the video reviewers to tell you everything. The reviewer also didn't mention another key feature - the rear seats can be adjusted forwards & backwards just like the front seats. This is a cool feature of the Escape that isn't offered by very many competitors. If optioned right, the Escape can please many buyers.

Just picked up our 23 escape st-line select 2 months ago and love it. I’m 6.1 and 360lbs and find it as roomie as anything out their in this class.I Drove a 2003 for 20 years and it was bullet proof,Its still on the road.Fingers crossed on this one lasting just as long and being just as good a vehicle.

This vehicle has come quite a way in the past decade. I remember sitting in the back of a Ford Escape, circa 2014. I'm short, and it still felt like sitting in the backseat of a Mustang or a Camaro.

Love the screen size and display but I really dislike Fords move to screen based adjustments. That’s why I love my Maverick. All the proper button are layer out perfectly. They just need to combine the 2 things.

Ford definitely killed it with the styling. The price is a hard pill to swallow though. However, it does seem that the higher prices are just becoming the standard on all makes and models

Lil bit over priced but can't beat the look 🔥😍 absolutely stunning!!

Thanks for another great review, Ryan!

Well Ryan, your number one Subaru critic decided on 2023 Outback Touring XT to regain trust in the brand. Feel like I needed to get that off of my chest right away 😂. With that said, I think Ford has a well improved Escape here. They’ve had a tumultuous past with their PTU’s and failing due to overheating and sludge inside. Hopefully, these have an improved design. Not sure I’d want to be the one to buy it new as depreciation hits these hard and fast.

Physical buttons are so much easier to use and so much more safe. You can do them without diverting your eyes.

Best Review I seen. Thank you bro!👍👍👍

You literally clicked the down arrow on that animation and made it go away. It has the exact feature you're asking for.

A great review. We ordered one...the Platinum. You convinced us.

Absolutely phenomenal 💯

I have a 2013 Escape and just love it. Virtually no problems with the car at all and it has been a beast in our Colorado winters. In fact I recently gave it to my son for his first car. Would definitely entertain purchasing this new version.

Have a '20 Escape SE that my wife leased and I took over. I didn't care for the look but love the drive and its capabilities. Plus, I'm all city driving and get 27 mpg. May have to get this refreshed model a look since my lease is almost up.

You tell em! Get rid of the virtual climate system controls! Hard buttons are the better option.

My 2020 Escape S AWD in Sport Mode, does move pretty quick and the handling is pretty good, and it has the 1.5L EcoBoost.

Ford escape..Overall looking good, clean dashboard layout with nice display and better driving manner ...superb suv

All the ppl bitching about controls on screen, this has advanced voice control, you can control HVAC and radio by voice, no touching screen. Audio control is on the steering wheel. Do your research and stop bitching.

24:47 all SUV’s mini or what not should be able to handle a basic dirt camp site. Kudos to Ford on the Escape.

I do drive a 2020 Ford Escape SE since mid March 2022. My sister drove a 2023 Ford Escape for a week. She liked the smooth drive. She wasn’t used to the dial automatic transmission. She didn’t even try to used Apple Car Play towards it. It took me a couple weeks to get used towards mine. It was easy for me on Apple Car Play. My sister used to have a 2002 Ford Escape for almost 16 years. I even drove her Ford Escape once in Florida. I even drove a 2009 Ford Escape for a week as a loaner car. I used to have a 2015 Ford Escape for almost for 5 years till it died on me.

I have a 2023 Escape (Active) with the 1.5L 3 cylinder. This engine is a first for me, I'm used to driving a V6.

Never though I would consider a 40k car to be a good value, but this Escape actually is, when you consider a loaded Crosstrek can hit 32K+.

I really enjoy my '21 2.0L Escape SEL with Stealth Package. It's comfortable on long rides (no seat fatigue at all - something I couldn't say for my old Forester), get's 33-35 mpg on the highway, and is downright fast for a compact SUV. I ended up choosing it over the Bronco Sport because it's more powerful and gets better MPG while still having essentially the same "offroad" capability (of the regular BS, not the Badlands of course). It has gotten me everywhere I need to go on Forest Roads in the mountains of TN/NC/VA, and it will only get better when I put some Falken Wildpeak Trail ATs on it. My only complaints are the (1) easily scratched interior plastic, and (2) the kind of ugly face, which this refresh has fixed. Also, I would never have gone for the top model. My SEL came in a little over 30k, which is much more reasonable for the class.

I like the ST line elite trim

The heads up display in the 2020 can be turned off quite easily, and the data is clear & readable whilst wearing polarised sunglasses (Maui Jim's). The Mazda version was just a blur. I do like the new centre grill, but prefer the Macan-esque headlights of the 2020.

Great review! do you also have a review of Toyota RAV4 Limited? Do you have recommendation on which to choose?

Yay, Ford!

it would be nice to see this car dealing with snow

Mazda has the heads-up display and I love it. I see not only the speed I'm going but also puts in the navigation for turn by turn. So I don't have to look down to the side. It works great more than two years. What I didn't get in my Mazda was a turbo. Those break more than heads-up displays and are very costly to repair or replace.

If everyone started calling touch screen controls “Lagonda Controls,” nobody would ever integrate them into their interior designs again.

Excellent review. can you test 2023 Mitsubishi outlander PHEV please ?

I love the big screen. Doesn't play DVDs like the 2nd gen navigation eh?

As a UX Designer, myself, that infotainment system looks emensly frustrating to use. If a system like this is frustrating I, personally, think that it means it can also be dangerous as a consequence. It's not a trend that I like seeing.

I hate tech for the sake of tech. In my Ranger XL, If I want my fan speed slower, I reach down, feel the dial, & turn it lower. My eyes never leave the road.

I think I’d still go with the Subaru Crosstrek. Cheaper in price and better AWD. The escape was originally made as a cheaper alternative to the Explorer and Expedition. No way in Hades an Escape is worth $40,000+. Not sure why Ford and GM are recently trying to price their cars like they’re German luxury brands. Can spend a pinch more and get a BMW/Mercedes at this point.

Climate controls absolutely should not be baked into a touchscreen. They need to be separate, physical inputs (buttons, knobs, etc.). Having to look at the screen while trying to navigate through multiple menus/settings, including having to try to tap the right spot while moving, is dangerous as hell. Physical buttons and/or knobs let you rest your fingers on them to ensure you've found them before you actually manipulate them. Touchscreens register input the moment you touch them, so if you touch the wrong spot (which happens more often than not when in motion), you can end up in other menus or settings that further distract the driver. It's an absolutely awful thing to do with climate controls that, frankly, should be banned at the federal level. Radio inputs should be the same way, at least for volume and source selection. These are too frequently used to be put on the touchscreen.

I like the square bodies of the Bronco Sport, I just don’t like the small engines. I had a couple Bronco II’s and loved them, simple with very few bells and whistles, but I liked the size and yet I never had an issue with hauling. I fit a full size washer and dryer in the back of my Bronco II, door closed, just didn’t latch. The new round aerodynamic body styles are very feminine.

I like it when you flatten the back seats and lie down in the back and comment about it. Strangely enough, that is one of the first things I look at. If I can't camp in it, I won't consider it.

Great review. We’ll keep driving our reliable Subie’s

That infotainment system would be a dealbreaker for me. SEPARATE climate controls please.

I don't think this is really a focus successor when it costs literally 2x as much as my 2016 did (and also still have heated seats, wheel), and I don't think you'll be allowed to throw that escape around the autocross like I get to with the focus.

All those little "buttons" in the info screen are fine while standing still, but not while driving. I much prefer Honda's newest dash designs, combining the screen and physical climate control knobs and volume knob (and shift lever rather than the circular knob). Honda, evidently, put more thought into usability, this time around, rather than being the most "modern."

I have a 2017 Titanium since new. I do like the new 2023's but not thrilled about how many models there are and the option packages. So confusing. One thing I do not like about the higher end models is the heat and AC controls. I like my physical buttons. Not having to go through them on a screen. The Escape does seem a little priced high, but I drive for Uber and Lyft, and I get lot of compliments from people telling me how nice my Escape is and how nice it rides compared to all the other Compact SUV'S they been in.

I prefer to have physical button for AC control.

I bought a 2023 Toyota Venza limited and I love it.

So, would you get this or the bronco sport

My Mazda 3 HB Premium has the head up display reflected directed on the windshield. I believe it is a better version of this, this looks like it will break.

In California, if you don't take everything with you, someone else will definitely do it for you 😂

The screen would be a deal breaker for me. Climate control should be three knobs (four with dual zone) only. No buttons. No screens. Heated seats? Buttons. Anything driving related? Dedicated buttons. Screens are too distracting.

What's the music he's using at the end ?

Can you test the new outlander phev?

Looks decent. I still think the second generation has held up design wise

Diesel was preferred among 2022 models in Turkey and Europe, and the highest milk figure was caught in it, I guess, 1.5 ecoblue option will be in 2024 in diesel engine future it should definitely be diesel 1.5 ecoblue

Have the 2020 Esc Tita in the pearl white metallic with the 20" wheels and still love it. It looks great, is super comfortable, really zippy with turbo and feature-rich. Hate Ford has in Plat, now dropped the turn indicators from the mirrors, downsized max wheels to 19 and moved climate to the screen only, as their S4 UI is not ready for that yet.

It’s a beautiful car. The price is steep for a Ford I feel like. Also I would worry about repair costs of all those electronics long term. The lack of physical buttons for climate control is a dealbreaker for me. That’s dangerous. Too much time to figure that out while driving. Especially if you were in heavy traffic.

I purchased a car a Todd Judy Ford in Charleston. I was told it had blind spot detection and driver assist. Before I made it home the check engine light came on after I got gas. I took it back and they said they would fix the light and the backup camera that is blurry and points at my plate. I picked up the car and drove home realizing there were no driver assist options or blind spot warnings. I contacted them and they said that they were sorry they thought the 2019 Ford Escape Titanium had those options. I could trade it on for a more expensive car but there was nothing they could do. When asked about the backup camera they responded they didn’t see anything wrong with it. Now I am stuck with a car that doesn’t have the options I need since I am handicapped with CP and no recourse for their error. John Fitzwater Belle WV. 25015 I have metal plates in my neck. Artificial Achilles tendon left leg. 4 surgeries on my hands, 2 hernia surgery, colon resection, veracilles removed, and other challenges. I work full-time at Riverside and have reached my limits. I just want the car I was told I was buying. Not their mistake because they did know their inventory. Help.

I have a 2017 Escape I bought used and quite like it. The small size with the functional tech is perfect for me. My brother also has a ‘17 just a little over 100k miles and his transmission just went out so that’s not great.

I bought a ford escape 2x both had 2013 and 2015 once they hit 100000 miles the first one was having a misfire then I wrecked it and the second one the engine and transmission failed at the same time

Can we get a tour of that chicken coop?

Is there a reason you haven't reviewed the latest version of the Nissan Rogue? The latest model was out in 2021 and there has been no review.

I owned a 2009 Ford Escape. The transmission was/is reliable, but had numerous problems with parts and functionality. I even had the "throttle body" go bad, which created unsafe driving. Ford somehow was able to avoid an official recall with it, though they sent letters out and paid for its replacement. First Ford and last Ford for me. Subaru Wilderness all the way.

When are you taking it on the real course?

Alternatively having buttons to access all individual functions that are commonly used will cost more as they are going to be more wiring and more materials used. My counter argument is the system that is used in Subarus that have split screens for infotainment vs normal car functions such as AC controls safety settings etc. I love that arrangement best. Just hope the touch screens will last 10 years at least.

A car's climate control should be hard buttons

My 21 edge has on screen and when the screen doesn't work at times the hvac doesn't work or you can't control hvac. I would have to ding Ford for that. Manual is the way to go and it's also distracting when you drive trying to change it on screen. Your video clewrly shows how distracting it is when driving.

"please, please just learn how to park" Says the guy who couldn't love hill decent control more. I love how it puts it in low gear and feathers the brake for me!!!

Why did Ford have to do the climate controls like that. They could of just made it one touch on the screen. Instead they had to make it more complicated than it had to be.

I want to buy this sheet

BRING BACK BUTTONS

As Ryan said, along with many of the comments I’ve read, WHY?? Why put so many controls on the screen? I find it funny (not funny haha, but funny weird) how there has been such a push in recent years against distracted driving, with the no texting and driving laws and no distracted driving laws, and yet here we are. Vehicle manufacturers every year with every new redesign or refresh, make it more and more distracting to perform simple basic car functions. It shouldn’t be a 4 step process to turn a fan up or down or adjust temperature. It’s like manufacturers are in a competition to see who can make simple functions the most difficult. Stop it!

Did not know they still made the Escape. With the release of the Bronco Sport, thought this was retired. We ordinarily agree about most if not everything. But not this time. I will take your word for the driving impressions, as I have not driven 1. The looks do nothing for me. Does not scream hot hatch to me at all. I don't use those driver assistant devices you spoke of either. However, I would probably use them IF I had them in my current vehicles. lol. (would be fun). While everyone is screaming too much for new vehicle prices, and I hate to jump on that wagon, but this is over priced for what it appears to be imo.

It actually look quite attractive, this little bugger.

I cant imagine why anyone would take this over the Mazda CX-30. The interior, handling and reliability are leafues ahead of Ford's compact SUV. I understand the appeal of the Maverick based in the same platform as the Escape due to the utility of the bed.

Why don't u do a off-road test on the new Ford Expedition stealth

I’m curious, does anyone think that there will be an eco sport replacement?

Top notch refresh. They saved this car!! Very nice interior changes as well. I was super interested in this car for my parents until about 11:00 when Ryan started fussing with the climate screen. Hard pass for my 60yo parents. Hard pass. Shame!! That is so fussy.

So the Focus hatch became the Escape hatch?

11:50 tend to be forced to focus on the screen, forcing you to take away from focusing on driving.

Why are car manufacturers making things less user friendly? I have a 22 Escape as a fleet vehicle with physical buttons for HVAC, what a downgrade having them on the screen like that. Another note, I have the 1.5l 3Cyl AWD and its the least refined powertrain I've ever driven. Also hate how the dial shifter feels. Other dial shifters I've had in rentals have a more tactile feel so you notice each change in gear. Almost every time I'm in a hurry going from Drive to Reverse I turn it to quickly into Park.

They’re one of the the quickest and best handling of small SUVs, and while they sit on the same platform, they’re aren’t a hot hatch in the same way the Focus is. I have both a 2021 Escape ST-Line and a 2023 Focus ST (I’m not in the USA and I realise the current gen Focus was never released there) and apart from the Focus using the 2.3L, it’s centre of gravity and suspension set up make it far, far more nimble and composed in cornering than the Escape, which feels soft and large in comparison, as you’d expect it to.

For that price you get the base Lincoln corsair

Eyes on the road hands on the wheel, petty for sure

interesting

I recently bought the 2022 Vignale as Australia did not get a 2023 version. It's controls seem laid out much better then your version. You failed to mention the lack of paddle shifters and the use of the "L" button in Sports Mode. How the gear changes do not happen till red line. Much faster acceleration. Disappointed that there is no visual indication of which of the 10 gears available your vehicle is in. Sports mode instead of having D or L in the centre of the Tacho should show the gear being used. Also a strange cost saving by Ford for the Australian market they removed the plastic engine cover and left it all exposed. Also have the pearl white metallic with the 20" wheels which are not suitable for our poor country roads.

My edge was the same way on the radio...hated it..ford does need to fix the radio thing I liked mine but I got only 4 days out of a tank of fuel...witch was ok compared to my toyota tacoma..

Beautiful compact SUV. However, I’d rather have a Japanese suv for that price. Is that 2.0 engine known for 200k-300k life span, with minimal maintenance? I think not!

Im getting rid of my 2022 toyota corolla and getting one of these.

Better bet is a CX5

$41k, Why some one will buy this over RAV4 XLE or Outback?

Did you forget to do the sleep test?

Lol... $42K for an Escape? 😅

No ventilated front seats at a sticker price over $41,000 for a small SUV? Ford still seems like they're a few years behind the times.

are you still in washington?

I used to love ford now Hyundai has done it for me

yea GMC does those animations in the hummer ev and they are super lame.

For the money Ford is asking I'd rather have a Subaru

for me, I wouldn't buy this car without the head up display.