The 2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is perfect for daily driving around town without using a drop of gasoline. This compact SUV is also quite comfortable, spacious, and loaded with modern tech features. Ponderous handling and somewhat lackluster acceleration are its main drawbacks.Read full review
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.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
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Cost to Drive
$90/mo
Escape
vs
$243/mo
SUV Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
Am I Ready for a Plug-In Hybrid?
EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet)
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
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
7.0
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
5.9/10
How does the Ford Escape drive? The Escape PHEV's performance is overshadowed by rival plug-ins and other Escape versions. We measured a 0-60 mph sprint of 8.1 seconds — better than a regular Escape Hybrid but ultimately slower than a regular Escape with the upgraded engine or the hot-rod Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (5.6 seconds). The Escape PHEV is also a little soft and ponderous through corners. The steering is overly light and doesn't provide a good sense of the road or what the front tires are doing.
While the brake pedal does require a fair push to slow the Escape, it's easy to come to smooth stops. The Escape PHEV also performed well in our panic-stop tests. The ride quality is generally relaxed, though driving over certain bumps causes harsher impacts than we've noticed in other Escape models.
The driver's seat offers a commanding view out, and visibility is generally good in all directions. The Escape's advanced driving aids work well and almost all are standard. Adaptive cruise control avoids the sudden braking exhibited by some systems, and the lane centering feature is particularly effective on the highway. It doesn't cause the vehicle to ping-pong between lanes as some rival systems do.
Comfort
7.9/10
How comfortable is the Ford Escape? Overall, we're happy with the level of comfort offered. The front seats are well shaped and comfortable. The rear bench — though a little flat — is also nice, offering good thigh support. Our Titanium trim test vehicle included a height-adjustable passenger seat, a rarity in this class.
The automatic climate system delivers plenty of airflow on hot days, and it features a three-stage system that allows you to set a maximum fan speed. Unlike rivals, the Escape PHEV doesn't offer ventilated front seats and heated rear seats on any trim.
The Escape's cabin is functional and pleasantly laid out. There's plenty of room all around, though headroom might run out for very tall rear occupants in models with the panoramic sunroof. The primary controls are easy to reach and use. The driver's seat also has numerous adjustments that make it a cinch to dial in your preferred position. On the downside, the door armrests are a touch too narrow, and tall drivers might have a hard time seeing the projection of the available head-up display.
Easily accessible car seat anchors and tethers, plus the large rear seat, will make loading car seats a breeze.
In-cabin tech
8.4/10
How’s the tech? Ford's touchscreen system is a highlight. Programming the available onboard navigation system is easy. The B&O audio system in our test model produced clear and punchy sound. Unfortunately, we did note some trim rattling with the volume turned up.
Considering the 2025 Ford Escape? Here are some top tips to help you make a well-informed purchasing decision:
The Escape has a customer cash rebate of $5,000. Additional savings of $500 are available for military members, students, and first responders.
The Edmunds True Market Value is about 5% lower than MSRP for most trims. For instance, you could save around $2,567 on the ST-Line Elite trim.
Ford is offering a special 3.9% APR for 72 months, which is 3.5% lower than the market rate, saving you money over the loan's life.
With over 2,000 new units and most trims sitting on lots for over 200 days, this Escape model is moving slowly. This situation could provide extra leverage for negotiation.
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Storage & cargo
6.8/10
How’s storage and cargo? The Escape Plug-in's cargo area behind the rear seats is ample. We like the low floor and high seatbacks; it opens up a lot of vertical storage space before luggage impedes your 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 you're loading cargo. The cargo area will hold 34.4 cubic feet and up to 60.8 cubes with the rear seats folded, which is less than the max capacity of the Hyundai Tucson PHEV or Toyota RAV4 Plug-in but still plenty practical.
Interior storage is helped out by large cubbies in the front and sizable door pockets in the back. The cupholders have tabs to hold your drinks in place, an uncommon feature in this vehicle class.
Value
6.1/10
Is the Ford Escape a good value? The Escape's interior has some nice soft-touch plastics, and hard plastics are generally silver, gloss black or otherwise textured in a way that makes the cabin look nice. The panel gaps are a little inconsistent, the interior door handles feel inexcusably cheap, and the faux wood trim won't fool anyone. We also noticed that the Titanium trim's leather upholstery is rougher and not as premium-feeling as lower trims' synthetic leather. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid also costs quite a bit more than the gas-only and hybrid versions. Warranty coverage is average for the class.
How’s the fuel economy? According to the EPA, the Escape Plug-in Hybrid can travel up to 37 miles on electric power alone on a full charge, then achieve 40 mpg in combined city/highway driving using the gas engine. The latter figure is impressive since the PHEV's weight penalty is expected to reduce combined fuel economy by only 1 mpg compared to the front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid. But we did notice that on our standardized test route that the Escape Plug-in Hybrid traveled 30.7 miles on electric power before the gas engine kicked on, or about 6 miles less than what the EPA estimated. Other plug-in hybrids we've tested have done a better job of meeting or exceeding the EPA's number. The Escape Plug-in is also saddled with a smaller fuel tank (11.1 gallons vs. 15.7 gallons for the standard Escape), so the outright cruising distance is somewhat compromised.
X factor
7/10
The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid isn't the most exciting vehicle to drive or look at, but it's quite sensible and will serve you well on an urban commute. Plus, its plug-in hybrid powertrain makes it quicker than the Escape Hybrid and you get a useful 37 miles of estimated EV range on a full charge. A styling update would go a long way in giving the Escape Plug-in Hybrid a more expressive personality.
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?
The PHEV is only available in a single trim that comes with 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen. A Premium package adds many safety, comfort and technology features.
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
2025 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT)
Efficient power solution and with amazing Sound system. We used to have a 2021 Escape Hybrid SEL, the only think we complain was about the sound system and the small 12V battery. We made the upgrade with a PHEV 2025 and ensure we got the B&O sound system, night/day difference, be sure to get this package. Basic sound system is not bad, but not good.
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… the off-roading Jeep Wrangler, Ryan runs down our list of what we consider the best small SUVs you can buy. This is our ranking of the Top 10 Best Compact SUVs.
The 2025 Ford Escape has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 9 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
powered by RepairPal
Recalls
9 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:
26V122000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
26S10
Manufactured from:
2024-12-05 to 2025-05-12
Number of vehicles affected:
47804
Defect Description:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Defect Consequence:
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed March 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
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.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Escape both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.0 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Escape has 34.4 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
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 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 7.0 out of 10. 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 Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $38,400.
Other versions include:
Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT) which starts at $38,400
If you're interested in the Ford Escape, the next question is, which Escape model is right for you? Escape variants include Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT). For a full list of Escape models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more