How different are the 2024 Ford Escape and 2023 Ford Escape? Since you may run into both model years at your local dealership, we’re here to help you figure out which of these small crossovers is equipped with everything you want in a daily driver.
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 Escape received a mid-cycle refresh, introducing new styling, updated tech features, and a new trim model lineup. The 2024 Escape includes all of these updates, but doesn’t add any.
- Choose from seven trim models: Base (2023 only), Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, Platinum, and PHEV.
- Both Escapes are thrifty and powerful, earning up to 40 mpg combined.
- The 2024 Escape (starting at $29,495) is slightly more expensive than the 2023 Escape (starting at $28,000).
New Features
For 2023, Ford gave the Escape a mid-cycle refresh, updating it with new exterior styling, tech upgrades (including the SYNC 4 infotainment system with bigger touchscreen options), and a new trim lineup.
The 2024 Escape includes all of these updates. Ford made only one major change to the 2024 Escape, eliminating the Base trim model. For the 2024 Escape, the Active is the entry-level trim.
Escape Trim Models
The 2023 Escape offers seven trim models: Base, Active, PHEV, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum.
Although the 2024 Escape drops the Base model, it’s available as the other six trims. Keep reading for highlights from each Escape model!
Base (2023 Escape only)
This Escape will help you land the lowest price on a new Escape. Plus, these small crossovers come standard with a great list of standard features:
- Cloth upholstery
- Height-adjustable driver’s seat
- 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-speaker sound system
- Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot
- Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety aids (forward collision mitigation, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams)
Active
The Active adds to the Base lineup with quite a few modern perks.
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Keyless ignition and entry
- Second-row dual Smart Charging USB ports
- Chrome exterior trim
- Dark tinted rear windows
- Power liftgate
PHEV
Choose the Escape PHEV for both maximum efficiency and upscale interior comfort.
- Partial vinyl and cloth upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Built-in navigation
- Rear parking sensors
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keeping system
- Evasive steering assistance
ST-Line
This Escape adds to the Active’s list of features with sporty upgrades.
- Partial vinyl and cloth upholstery
- Flat-bottom steering wheel
- Underbody skid plates
- Roof rails
ST-Line Select
Along with standard all-wheel drive, the ST-Line Select adds to the ST-Line lineup with more comfort and convenience features.
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Remote ignition
- LED fog lights
- Heated exterior mirrors
ST-Line Elite
For an Escape that’s big on utility and luxury, this is a great place to start.
- Driver’s seat memory
- Power-adjustable front passenger seat
- Digital instrument panel
- 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Built-in navigation
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- Ambient interior lighting
- LED headlamps with coast-to-coast lightbar
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- SecuriCode (keyless entry keypad)
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear automatic braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Evasive steering assist
- Surround-view camera system
Platinum
The Platinum lacks underbody skid plates, but it otherwise adds to the ST-Line Elite features with a few extra creature comforts.
- ActiveX upholstery
- Front sport seats
- Universal garage door opener
- Optional leather-trimmed seats with quilting design and mini-perforation
Power & Efficiency
As of this writing, the 2024 Escape’s EPA ratings haven’t been released. However, since there aren’t any powertrain differences between these two model years, we don’t expect any surprises.
For the most efficient Escape, pick up the PHEV model, which earns up to 40 mpg combined in plug-in hybrid mode (or 101 MPGe during its 37-mile all-electric range). Upper trim models are also available with a thrifty hybrid powertrain that earns up to 39 mpg combined. Lower Escape trim models feature a peppy, 180-horsepower engine. Upper trim models maximize speed with a 250-horsepower engine.
The 2023 and 2024 Ford Escape powertrain options vary according to trim model:
- Base, Active, and ST-Line: Turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (180 horsepower, 199 lb-ft of torque)
- ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum: Turbo 2.0L four-cylinder (250 hp, 280 lb-ft)
- Optional for ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum: 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder (192 hp, 155 lb-ft)
- PHEV: 2.5L plug-in hybrid four-cylinder (210 hp, 155 lb-ft)
MSRP
Because the 2024 Ford Escape (starting at $29,495) drops the Base model from its lineup, its MSRP ends up being a little more expensive than the 2023 Ford Escape’s MSRP (starting at $28,000).
Your New Escape
When your local dealership has new versions of both the 2023 and 2024 Ford Escape on sale, you can test-drive all of your options without worrying about missing any new features! Of course, if you want to special-order your Escape, you’ll be ordering the newer, 2024 Escape.