2025 Ford Escape

Price Range: $29,515 - $38,400

Good

We give the 2025 Ford Escape high marks for its comfortable ride quality and easy-to-use technology features. But this small SUV can't match the overall appeal of top small SUVs because of its small cargo area, herky-jerky acceleration and dated design.Read full review

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Ford Escape for Sale

Pricing

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$23,895

Prices based on sales in VA thru 3/2/26

Final assembly in USA

Pros

Roomy and comfortable seating
Smooth ride quality
Easy-to-use controls
Available hybrid powertrain that gets around 40 mpg

Cons

Transmission's abrupt shifts
Lackluster handling

What's new

Minor revisions to standard and optional feature availability
Part of the fourth Escape generation introduced for 2020

Overview

Written by automotive expert Josh Jacquot

3/9/2026

The Escape is Ford's compact SUV, which puts it in competition with the most popular — and best — small SUVs sold today. The Escape is a functional small SUV, but it lacks both the driving engagement and the interior quality of many of its competitors. It will cover the standard SUV buyer's needs, but it doesn't really get our blood pumping like similarly priced and sized alternatives.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$137/mo

$199/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

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Edmunds spotlight: Gas, hybrid or plug-in hybrid

The 2025 Escape offers an abundance of choices for motive power. A turbocharged 1.5-liter engine good for 180 horsepower comes standard with front-wheel drive and offers optional all-wheel drive. A turbocharged 2.0-liter engine on midlevel trims makes 250 horsepower and comes standard with all-wheel drive. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder is paired with two electric motors in the Escape Hybrid, which generates 192 combined horsepower and offers optional all-wheel drive. Finally, there's the PHEV, which offers 37 miles of all-electric driving from its 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain. It's only available in front-wheel drive. Read our Expert Rating for all the details.

Competitors to consider

The Escape's problem isn't that it's bad; it's that its competitors are so good. Mazda offers two excellent picks: The CX-50 is an outstanding SUV with modest off-road intentions and stunning interior quality. And even the aging CX-5 remains an excellent choice in this category. Honda's CR-V and Kia's Sportage are also solid picks. Chevy's redesigned Equinox is another compelling alternative.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

Good

6.7

out of 10

We drove the 2025 Ford Escape on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

5.8/10

How does the Ford Escape drive? We tested the Escape ST-Line Elite with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. This motor makes plenty of power, allowing it to easily squirt through traffic and accelerate up to highway speeds. In Edmunds' testing, our Escape covered 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, which is better than rival small SUVs with an upgraded engine.

Unfortunately, the eight-speed automatic transmission shifts slowly and can be jerky with its upshifts. Downshifts are similar, and you'll feel multiple small shocks as you decelerate. Even the engine stop-start system bucks the Escape when it restarts the engine as you take your foot off the brake. It all feels terribly unrefined and like something that Ford should have fixed before putting the Escape on sale. The Escape's handling is disappointing too. It rolls a lot and has a ponderous feel as you go around turns.

The Escape's advanced driving aids work well, and almost all are standard. The lane centering feature works quite well on the highway, avoiding the "ping-ponging between the lanes" effect found on many rivals.

Comfort

7.2/10

How comfortable is the Ford Escape? Overall, we're happy with the level of comfort the Escape offers. The front seats are well shaped and have a pleasing amount of cushioning. The rear seats are also comfortable and provide a suitable amount of thigh support for adults. It's also fairly quiet at speed, with road noise the prevailing source of sound intrusion. A dual-zone climate control system is now on the options list. Unfortunately, ventilated front seats and heated rears remain unavailable on any Escape trim.

Got small kids? You'll like that the Escape's LATCH anchors are exposed and near the front of the seatback, so you shouldn't have any issues with installing safety seats. The tether anchors are located halfway down the back seats and are easily accessible via the gap between the headrest and seatback. There's also enough space to install a rear-facing child seat with little trouble.

In-cabin tech

8.4/10

How’s the tech? The Ford Escape's infotainment system is a highlight. The navigation setup is easy to use and quick to act, but oddly the newest version doesn't show you directional info when a point-of-interest search returns multiple locations (e.g., a Starbucks is 1 mile forward, or 0.5 mile to the left), as the pre-refresh version did. The standard six-speaker audio system is excellent for a base system, producing clear audio and punchy bass. The optional 10-speaker B&O system is even more impressive for this price class. Smartphone integration is excellent, and every model comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and plenty of power points throughout the cabin.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Save as much as $10,985 with Edmunds

2025 Ford Escape pricing in Ashburn, VA

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Buying Tips for the 2025 Ford Escape for March

Here are some buying and negotiating tips for the 2025 Ford Escape to help you save money:

Buyers are generally paying less than the MSRP for most trims of the Ford Escape. For instance, the Escape ST-Line Elite is being bought for approximately 7.7% under its sticker price, which can mean saving around $2,844. This provides potential leverage in negotiations when discussing the pricing with dealers.
There are solid incentives available, including a generous customer cash rebate of $5,000 that applies to most trims. This can give you a significant upfront saving, reducing your purchase price notably.
The available special APR for 72-month terms at 3.9% is a significant 3.5% off the market rate APR. This reduced interest rate could save you money over the life of the loan if you opt for financing through the dealer.
If you are considering leasing, the Escape models have some reasonable options, such as a median monthly payment of approximately $385 with about $2,886 due at signing for a 36-month lease with a 12,000-mileage limit. This could be a good choice if you're looking to keep monthly costs predictable.

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Storage & cargo

8.1/10

How’s storage and cargo? The Escape has a cargo area that's a little smaller than most compact SUVs, at 33.5 cubic feet. We like the low floor and high seatbacks, affording you a lot of vertical storage space before luggage cuts into rear visibility. The rear seats don't fold flat, but the outboard seat belts can be disengaged from their seat holsters so there's no obstruction while loading cargo. Interior storage is much better, with large cubbies in the front and sizable door pockets in the back. All cupholders have anti-tip tabs, which is fairly uncommon in this vehicle class.

Value

5.6/10

Is the Ford Escape a good value? The Escape's interior has plenty of soft-touch plastics up front, while hard plastics are generally silver, gloss black or otherwise textured in a way that shows effort. The synthetic leather upholstery on lower trims is surprisingly convincing, though the genuine leather on our test vehicle was too stiff to be comfortable. The panel gaps are a little inconsistent and the interior door handles feel inexcusably cheap, but overall it's an appealing cabin for the price.

Ford's pricing is competitive with other small SUVs. Ford offers basic warranty coverage for three years/36,000 miles, with powertrain coverage and roadside assistance for five years/60,000 miles. All are average for the class.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

MPG

5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Escape with the turbo 2.0-liter engine, which is what we tested, gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined. This is better than other small SUVs with similarly potent engines. Though the estimates are stellar, our observed fuel economy with our test vehicle fell short of expectations. We averaged just 20.2 mpg in our own real-world testing.

X factor

5/10

The Escape has a fairly distinctive exterior and the ST-Line variants lend a sporty flair to the interior. The cabin is less immediately impressive if you select one of the non-ST variants, but after living with the Escape for a while, you'll appreciate how effortlessly usable it is. Oddly, the 2.0-liter turbo powertrain is the letdown here, with the transmission never quite feeling at ease. This trim with the hybrid engine is probably the sweet spot.

2025 Ford Escape trim level differences

The 2025 Ford Escape is a compact SUV available in six trim levels: Active, PHEV, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite and Platinum. There are four available powertrains, including a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, in the lineup. Compare the 2025 Ford Escape trim levels in-depth.

Which Escape trim does Edmunds recommend?

Go for the Escape ST-Line. The base Active is a good value pick, but going for the ST-Line gets you some sportier styling details plus the option to get the hybrid powertrain.

Ford Escape Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.9

44 reviews

5(61%)

4(7%)

3(9%)

2(5%)

1(18%)

Owners Say

The overall sentiment of the owners about the 2025 Ford Escape is mixed. Many owners are happy with its great gas mileage, comfortable ride, and nice features like a big touchscreen and a good sound system. However, some owners have faced issues with the car's battery, sound system, and certain features not working well, impacting their experience negatively. While some find it perfect for their needs, others advise caution due to persistent problems.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 44 reviews of the Ford Escape

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Most Helpful Owner Review

Perfect Hybrid

Joe S., 01/28/2024

2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT)

I have a 2024 Ford Escape St-Line AWD. Excellent mileage, solid, comfortable, quiet and well laid out interior. The transisition between hybrid and gas powered is seamless. Put your foot into it and you can merge, pass or enter an expressway quickly and safely. Drive it smartly and you can get north of 45 MPG..

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2025 Ford Escape, so we've included review for other years of the Escape since its last redesign.

Helpful shopping links

2025 Ford Escape video

Top 10 Best Compact SUVs | Ranking the Best Small SUVs of 2021

NOTE: This video is about the 2022 Ford Escape, but since the 2025 Ford Escape is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

At Edmunds, we are big fans of the compact SUV. With enough room and comfort for passengers and good fuel economy, compact SUVs are a great choice for shoppers looking for an SUV that can do just about anything. In this video, Ryan ZumMallen from Edmunds presents our ranking of the Top 10 Best Compact SUVs and what makes each one different. From the popular Toyota RAV4 to…

2025 Ford Escape Features & Specs

Type:

SUV

Trim:

Active

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$29,515
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$137/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	37.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2025 Ford Escape has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 8 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #14 out of 29 among Compact SUVs.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average

#14 out of 29 among Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$480/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

0.98x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

11.8%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

Recalls

8 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 25V862000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25C68
Number of vehicles affected:: 780
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Corsair and Escape vehicles. The seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened.
Defect Consequence:: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and secure, or replace the seat belt retractor bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 19, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.

Recall Number:: 25V829000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25SD6
Number of vehicles affected:: 108762
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
Defect Consequence:: A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed January 15, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.

Recall Number:: 25V787000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25SC6
Manufactured from:: 2025-06-17 to 2025-06-17
Number of vehicles affected:: 2
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and Escape vehicles. The cover for the electric brake booster's ECU may cause the printed circuit board to overheat and result in a loss of vehicle stability control systems (anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and traction control) or a loss of brake power assist.
Defect Consequence:: Loss of vehicle stability control or brake power assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the electric brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 24, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 17, 2025.

Recall Number:: 25V372000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25S61
Number of vehicles affected:: 404
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Escape, and 2025 Bronco Sport vehicles. The cylinder head may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause the ball plugs to fail, resulting in an oil leak.
Defect Consequence:: An oil leak can result in loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the cylinder head assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 23, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S61.

Recall Number:: 25V343000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25S52
Manufactured from:: 2024-07-29 to 2025-05-07
Number of vehicles affected:: 6781
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2023-2025 Escape, 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2025 Lincoln Corsair, Maverick, and Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.
Defect Consequence:: An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the engine block heater element and inspect the electrical cord, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 6, 2025. Second letters will be mailed once the remedy is available, anticipated for 4th quarter 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S52.

Recall Number:: 25V161000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25C08
Manufactured from:: 2024-12-10 to 2025-01-17
Number of vehicles affected:: 4721
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Escape vehicles. The rearview camera may incorrectly display an inverted image when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: An inverted rearview camera image will not accurately display what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C08.

Recall Number:: 25V049000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25C02
Manufactured from:: 2024-12-06 to 2024-12-13
Number of vehicles affected:: 298
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Bronco Sport, Escape, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may not illuminate at startup or while driving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" as well as FMVSS numbers 126, 108, 135, 138, 208, and 305.
Defect Consequence:: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C02.

Recall Number:: 24V850000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 24C38
Manufactured from:: 2024-09-05 to 2024-09-05
Number of vehicles affected:: 15
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Escape vehicles. The passenger side instrument panel cover may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect Consequence:: During air bag deployment, the air bag cover may break and project fragments into the vehicle, or the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the passenger side instrument panel cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C38.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles

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Safety

Key safety features on the Escape include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	5 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	16.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Good
Side Impact Test – Original	Good
Side Impact Test – Updated	Marginal
Roof Strength Test	Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Good

FAQ

Is the Ford Escape a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Escape both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.7 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 Escape gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 44 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the Escape ranges from 34.4 to 37.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Ford Escape. Learn more

What's new in the 2025 Ford Escape?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Ford Escape:

Minor revisions to standard and optional feature availability
Part of the fourth Escape generation introduced for 2020

Learn more

Is the Ford Escape reliable?

To determine whether the Ford Escape is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Escape. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Escape's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2025 Ford Escape a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Ford Escape is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 Escape and gave it a 6.7 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2025 Escape gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 44 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 Escape is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2025 Ford Escape?

The least-expensive 2025 Ford Escape is the 2025 Ford Escape Active 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $29,515.

Other versions include:

Active 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $29,515
ST-Line 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $30,360
Active 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $30,915
ST-Line 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $31,760
ST-Line 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $32,490
ST-Line Select 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $33,195
ST-Line Select 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $34,190
Platinum 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $35,615
Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $35,910
ST-Line Elite 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $36,905
Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $37,115
ST-Line Elite 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT) which starts at $38,110
Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT) which starts at $38,400