The base engine will be the carryover 2.5-liter four-cylinder model, but the two EcoBoost mills will likely garner the most attention. The turbocharged 1.6-liter model, which is already a big success in Europe, will fill out the middle of the range. With the EcoBoost 1.6 under the hood, the 2013 Escape will best the current Escape Hybrid’s 31 highway miles per gallon, while still producing up to 180 horsepower. That couldn’t come as much of a surprise, since even the larger and more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost manages 30 mpg highway under the hood of the much heavier Ford Edge.
Speaking of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost, you can expect this 247-horsepower mill at the top of the 2013 Escape food chain. With all that horsepower and usable (275 pound-feet) torque, we’re guessing Escape buyers won’t miss the 3.0-liter V6 and it’s measly 223 lb-ft one bit. And like we said, if the Edge can manage 30 mpg, we’re guessing that engineers can eek out a bit more efficiency under the hood of the next Escape.
