The 2023 Ford Escape Races Past Rivals in Safety Ratings

December 23rd, 2022 by

Sunrise Ford 2023 Ford Escape

Photo Source: Ford

Recently, several Ford Motor Company products have done justice to the brand by operating quite nicely in safety testing administered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and that is taking into account the more rigorous requirements that have been put into place to make them more relevant to today’s modern automobiles. For the revised front overlap crash test, the results demonstrated that the 2023 Ford Escape achieved the highest rating possible for that specific test after facing off against a total of fifteen small crossovers and SUVs. As a matter of fact, that feat applies to all Ford Escape SUVs produced after May 2022, not just the latest generation of the vehicle. The top mark for the test is a rating of “good,” which is even more noteworthy because the Ford Escape was one of just two vehicles tested out of fifteen that managed to reach the highest accomplishment. 

The IIHS moderate front overlap crash test, which now has a “2.0” attached to its name to account for the current reforms, includes gauging the impact on rear-seat occupants and front-seat passengers. Interestingly, before that regulation became an element of the test, all fifteen automobiles contingent upon the outcome of said test earned a “good” rating. The IIHS, however, concluded that its stipulations had to be made a bit more demanding to consider a developing gap in the protection afforded to front and rear occupants. Consequently, the 2023 Ford Escape was awarded the highest possible rating due to a specific alteration to the back seat belt to increase the protection of the rear occupants.

In fact, IIHS President David Harkey emphasized just how crucial the modifications to the test were: “The original moderate overlap test was our first evaluation and the lynchpin of the Institute’s crash testing program. Thanks to automakers’ improvements, drivers in most vehicles are nearly 50 percent less likely to be killed in a frontal crash today than they were 25 years ago. Our updated test is a challenge to manufacturers to bring those same benefits to the back seat.” The Top Safety Pick recognition by IIHS also extends to the 2022 Ford Escape when it is decked out with particular headlights.

A Thorough Makeover

To understand why Ford won with flying colors, it is necessary to comprehend the adjustments the brand made to its SUV. Ford has given the 2023 Escape a comprehensive refresh, and not just cosmetically. The automaker is now providing a host of driver-assistance features, which it aptly named Co-Pilot360, as standard on every Escape trim. Essential features include:

  • Intersection Assist 2.0, which helps drivers avert potential collisions with pedestrians while turning.
  • Blind Spot Assist, which uses a light on the side view mirror to warn the driver, employing a light push in the steering system to help advise against an unsafe action in a situation where the driver has not seen warnings from the Blind Spot Information System.
  • New Rear Cross Traffic Braking improves upon the Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert to notice objects crossing the vehicle’s path while in reverse and automatically brake if there is an impending collision, such as when backing out of a driveway or parking space.

Arriving in 2023

The new Ford Escape SUV will be possible to purchase in early 2023. Are you searching for a small SUV that has good gas mileage, is spectacular for a day-to-day commute or weekend trips, and has good safety ratings? Look no further than the 2023 Ford Escape, which is now available to order. Check out its availability at Sunrise Ford, where we have a dedicated sales team that will make every effort to meet your automobile shopping needs. The time you spend buying, leasing, or selling will be a piece of cake, courtesy of our brilliant team and our new vehicle inventory.