2023 Ford Escape MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2023 Ford Escape gets up to 30 mpg combined with a gas engine and up to 39 mpg as a hybrid, across 6 EPA-tested versions.
EPA fuel economy
2023 Ford Escape · 6 EPA-tested versionsBest gas version
30MPG combined
27 city 34 highway
$2,100 a year to fuel
1.5L turbo 3-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic
Best hybrid version
39MPG combined
42 city 36 highway
$1,600 a year to fuel
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid · FWD · CVT
Best version saves $3,000 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)
Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).
At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $1,600 to $2,400 a year. The plug-in hybrid adds 37 miles of electric range and 101 MPGe on electricity. Compared with 2022, the best hybrid version is down 2 mpg.
One of the best Escape years by owner complaints
The 2023 drew 86 owner complaints in its first three years, against 165 for a typical Escape year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.
Years to avoid: 2011 and 2013; best years: 2018, 2019, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Every Escape year rankedThe 2023 Escape's recalls and problems
Every 2023 Escape version
EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices; for plug-in hybrids it assumes typical charging.
| Version | Combined | City / Hwy | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | |||
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid · FWD · CVT Best
EPA listing: Escape FWD HEV |
39 mpg | 42 / 36 | $1,600 |
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid · Part-time 4WD · CVT
EPA listing: Escape AWD HEV |
39 mpg | 42 / 36 | $1,600 |
| Gas | |||
1.5L turbo 3-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic
EPA listing: Escape FWD |
30 mpg | 27 / 34 | $2,100 |
1.5L turbo 3-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic
EPA listing: Escape AWD |
28 mpg | 26 / 32 | $2,200 |
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic
EPA listing: Escape AWD |
26 mpg | 23 / 31 | $2,400 |
| Plug-in hybrid | |||
2.5L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid · FWD · CVT
EPA listing: Escape FWD PHEV · 101 MPGe on electricity · 37 mi electric range · MPG shown is running on gas |
40 mpg | 42 / 37 | $1,050 with charging (EPA); gas only $1,550 |
Fuel cost at your prices
EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.
| Version | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid · FWD · CVT | $1,538 | $7,692 |
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid · Part-time 4WD · CVT | $1,538 | $7,692 |
1.5L turbo 3-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic | $2,000 | $10,000 |
1.5L turbo 3-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic | $2,143 | $10,714 |
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic | $2,308 | $11,538 |
2.5L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid · FWD · CVT (on gas) | $1,500 | $7,500 |
At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50. Plug-in hybrids are calculated running on gas only.
Does the hybrid pay for itself? See the payback for every model sold both ways.
Ford Escape MPG by model year
The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 24 to 30 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); 30 since 2020. Hybrid: 32 to 41 mpg (2010 to 2012, 2020 to 2026); highest in 2020.
- Best gas version
- Best hybrid version
2023: gas 30 mpg · hybrid 39 mpgTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid version |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 24 | 32 |
| 2011 | 25 | 32 |
| 2012 | 25 | 32 |
| 2013 | 26 | – |
| 2014 | 26 | – |
| 2015 | 26 | – |
| 2016 | 26 | – |
| 2017 | 26 | – |
| 2018 | 26 | – |
| 2019 | 26 | – |
| 2020 | 30 | 41 |
| 2021 | 30 | 41 |
| 2022 | 30 | 41 |
| 2023 | 30 | 39 |
| 2024 | 30 | 39 |
| 2025 | 30 | 39 |
| 2026 | 30 | 39 |
Every Escape year's ratings in one table
How the 2023 Escape compares
2023 compact SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.
| 2023 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Best: hybrid |
43 mpg | 28 mpg | $1,450 |
Best: hybrid |
40 mpg | 30 mpg | $1,550 |
Best: hybrid |
40 mpg | 30 mpg | $1,550 |
Ford Escape This page Best: hybrid |
39 mpg | 30 mpg | $1,600 |
Best: hybrid |
38 mpg | 28 mpg | $1,650 |
Best: gas |
33 mpg | 33 mpg | $1,900 |
Best: gas |
29 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 |
Best: gas |
28 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 |
Best: gas |
28 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 |
Best: gas |
27 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 |
Best: gas |
27 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 |
Best: gas |
27 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 |
Best: gas |
26 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 |
Best: gas |
26 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 |
Best: gas |
26 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 |
Best: gas |
24 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 |
2023 Escape recalls and complaints
Questions
Does AWD lower the 2023 Ford Escape's gas mileage?
Sometimes. On versions that differ only in drive, the gap ranges from 0 to 2 mpg combined: the 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid gets 39 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 39 with AWD.
How much fuel does the 2023 Escape hybrid save?
Comparing AWD or 4WD versions at EPA's assumptions (15,000 miles a year, $4.00 a gallon), the hybrid costs $1,600 a year to fuel against $2,200 for the gas model: $600 a year, or $3,000 over five years.
Does the 2023 Ford Escape need premium gas?
No. EPA lists every 2023 Ford Escape version on regular gasoline.
How does the 2023 Escape's MPG compare with the 2022?
For 2023, the best gas version is rated 30 mpg, the same as the year before and the best hybrid version is rated 39 mpg, down 2 from 41.
Sources and method
- US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
- EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
- Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.
Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.