2023 Ford Escape

The new Escape comes in seven trim levels, so it's easy to customize your SUV as you like. It all starts with the base model, which comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels with silver-painted covers and power side mirrors. Upgrade to the Active trim level, and you get aluminum alloy wheels with chrome window moldings, body-color door handles, and dark-tinted rear privacy glass. The ST-Line adds a sportier flair with body-colored fascias and a single-wing spoiler in the back.

At the ST-Line Select trim level, the vast majority of the upgrades are related to performance, though you still get heated side mirrors and LED fog lights for the exterior. The ST-Line Elite has a bit more exterior offerings like a panoramic vista roof and 19-inch ebony wheels. At the Platinum trim level, the Escape comes equipped with rain-sensing wipers and a hands-free liftgate. Finally, the PHEV version is a plug-in hybrid that's most similar to the Platinum trim.

Three different engines are available for the Escape, and they all are impressive in their own right. The standard engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that produces 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. If you're looking for a bit more, the 2.0-liter turbo inline-four engine offers 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Finally, the hybrid Escape is outfitted with a 2.5-liter hybrid engine that gets 200 horsepower.

SUVs are easier to control than ever before, and the Escape makes that abundantly clear thanks to its smooth ride experience and enhanced traction. The available all-wheel-drive system takes this even further, maximizing your grip on the road even when traveling in less-than-desirable conditions. You even get noise-dampening technology so all the power at your disposal doesn't get in the way of a pleasant driving experience.

When you sit inside the new Escape, one of the first things you'll probably notice is the infotainment system. The available 13.2-inch touchscreen interface utilizes the SYNC 4 infotainment system to make pairing your smartphone with your car easier than ever. You also get plenty of interior space whether you're carrying cargo or some extra passengers.

Safety is the most important aspect of any vehicle, and the new Escape comes loaded with features that let you drive with peace of mind. Thanks to the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driver assistance features, you can benefit from systems like pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, the latter of which is a feature many other vehicles hold exclusively for the higher trim levels.