Model Years

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 versions

Best gas version

30MPG combined

27 city 34 highway

$2,100 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score6/10

1.5L turbo 3-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic

Best hybrid version

39MPG combined

42 city 36 highway

$1,600 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score7/10

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).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated

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.

VersionCombinedCity / HwyFuel / 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.

VersionPer yearPer month5 years
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid · FWD · CVT
$1,538$128$7,692
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid · Part-time 4WD · CVT
$1,538$128$7,692
1.5L turbo 3-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic
$2,000$167$10,000
1.5L turbo 3-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic
$2,143$179$10,714
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic
$2,308$192$11,538
2.5L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid · FWD · CVT (on gas)
$1,500$125$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.

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 mpg

Show as a table
Ford Escape best combined mpg by model year
Model yearBest gas versionBest hybrid version
20102432
20112532
20122532
201326–
201426–
201526–
201626–
201726–
201826–
201926–
20203041
20213041
20223041
20233039
20243039
20253039
20263039

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 modelBest combinedBest gasFuel / year
Best: hybrid
43 mpg28 mpg$1,450
Best: hybrid
40 mpg30 mpg$1,550
Best: hybrid
40 mpg30 mpg$1,550
Ford Escape This page
Best: hybrid
39 mpg30 mpg$1,600
Best: hybrid
38 mpg28 mpg$1,650
Best: gas
33 mpg33 mpg$1,900
Best: gas
29 mpg29 mpg$2,150
Best: gas
28 mpg28 mpg$2,200
Best: gas
28 mpg28 mpg$2,200
Best: gas
27 mpg27 mpg$2,300
Best: gas
27 mpg27 mpg$2,300
Best: gas
27 mpg27 mpg$2,300
Best: gas
26 mpg26 mpg$2,400
Best: gas
26 mpg26 mpg$2,400
Best: gas
26 mpg26 mpg$2,400
Best: gas
24 mpg24 mpg$2,600

2023 Escape recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 140 owner complaints for the 2023 Escape.

Owners most often describe loss of power (16 complaints, 11%), then overheating or coolant loss (12). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2023 Escape recalls and problems

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.