Highs: Sharper styling, big new touchscreen, solid electric range. Lows: No all-wheel drive, steep pricing, rivals are quicker.
As plug-ins proliferate, we’re going to continue to see more SUVs like the Ford Escape PHEV. Launched in 2020, the Escape PHEV competes in a growing segment that includes the plug-in versions of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Toyota RAV4. For 2023, the Escape receives a makeover, but it lacks the performance, richer interior, and all-wheel drive offered by rivals.
Ford previously offered the plug-in powertrain across several trims. Now the PHEV is a stand-alone model, and it’s pricey. The Escape PHEV’s $41,995 base price is higher than that of every competitor except the RAV4, and our test car’s $1595 panoramic sunroof and $4530 Premium package helped push the…