The Base, Active and ST-Line trims are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (180 horsepower, 199 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. All-wheel drive is available as an option.
The ST-Line Select and higher trims upgrade to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (250 hp, 280 lb-ft) with standard all-wheel drive.
But also be aware that Ford makes the ST-Line and higher trims available with a fuel-sipping 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain (192 total system horsepower) that drives the wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Finally, there's the Escape PHEV with a plug-in version of the hybrid engine. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, combining for 210 total horsepower, and joined to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard. Unlike gas-only and regular hybrid Escape models, the Escape Plug-In Hybrid does not offer all-wheel drive. On a fully charged battery, the Escape Plug-In can travel about 37 miles on electric power, after which it switches to regular gas-electric hybrid operation. Recharging the 14.4-kWh battery pack takes 3.5 hours with a Level 2 charger, or 10-11 hours using a 110-volt household power outlet.
Base
This base trim is fairly bare-bones, though you do get a few advanced driver assist features. This model starts you off with:
- 17-inch steel wheels
- Cloth upholstery
- Height-adjustable driver's seat
- 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Six-speaker sound system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both with wireless connectivity)
- Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot
Every Escape also comes with these driver assist features:
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
- Lane keep assistance (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
- Automatic high beams
Active
Perks the Escape's content up with:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Power liftgate
- Chrome exterior trim
- Dark tinted rear windows
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Keyless ignition and entry
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Satellite radio
- Two rear USB ports
PHEV
The Escape PHEV starts off with the plug-in hybrid powertrain detailed above and the features of the Active trim level. It also has:
- 18-inch wheels
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Partial vinyl and cloth upholstery
- 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Navigation system
- Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Escape and the car in front)
- Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
- Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
ST-Line
Builds on the Active's standard equipment with:
- 18-inch wheels
- Underbody skid plates
- Flat-bottom steering wheel
- Partial vinyl and cloth upholstery
- Roof rails
ST-Line Select
Stepping up to this model adds:
- All-wheel drive
- LED foglights
- Heated mirrors
- Remote ignition
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
ST-Line Elite
This trim level adds a long list of convenience and driver assist features that include:
- 19-inch wheels
- LED headlights
- Enhanced front accent lighting
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Exterior keyless entry keypad
- Digital instrument panel
- Driver's seat memory functions
- Power-adjustable front passenger seat
- 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Navigation system
- Wireless charging pad
- Interior ambient lighting
- Adaptive cruise control
- Evasive steering assistance
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear automatic braking (applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Platinum
This top trim goes without the ST-Line's skid plates and tops off the standard features list with:
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Universal garage door opener
Many features found on the top trims are on supporting trims as options. Other significant options for the Escape (depending on the trim) include:
- Tow package
- Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)
- 10-speaker B&O premium sound system
- Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
- Leather upholstery
- Panoramic sunroof