With its 37-mile battery-only range, the 2026 Ford Escape PHEV is a good choice for those who have a short commute or have lots of errands to run around town. It's comfortable, spacious and has an intuitive infotainment system. Handling and acceleration aren't strong points, however.Read full review
The 2026 Ford Escape is a compact SUV that offers a multitude of drivetrain options, including two turbocharged gas engines, a conventional hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The Escape is a practical and economical small crossover, but it doesn't deliver the same level of interior quality or driver engagement as most of its rivals.
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
$69/mo
Escape
vs
$168/mo
SUV Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Iowa
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
Edmunds spotlight: Two hybrid powertrains to choose from
The Escape offers not one but two hybrid options. The standard hybrid, which is available on ST-Line trims and up, pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor and continuously variable transmission. It makes 192 horsepower and gets up to an EPA-estimated 39 mpg. There's also the Escape PHEV, or plug-in hybrid. It makes 210 hp from its 2.5-liter gas engine and electric motor setup. You can charge its battery pack using a standard 120-volt outlet or a higher-voltage Level 2 charger. On a full charge, the Escape PHEV is estimated to be able to drive 37 miles on battery power alone. And once the battery runs out, it switches to operating as a regular hybrid and gets an estimated 40 mpg. If you do a lot of city driving and can frequently charge at home, we think the Escape PHEV is the better choice of the two.
Competitors to consider
The Escape competes with the many other compact SUVs in its class, including the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-50, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. All of those drive better and have nicer interiors than the Escape. For plug-in hybrid competitors, the Escape has the Kia Sportage PHEV, Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. The Hyundai and Kia offer similar battery-only range but more power than the Escape. The RAV4 could be the most compelling pick for 2026. It's fully redesigned, and Toyota says it will be able to drive 50 miles on all-electric power.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Cameron Rogers
Good
7.9
out of 10
We drove the 2026 Ford Escape on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
7.5/10
How does the Escape Plug-in Hybrid drive? The Escape Plug-in Hybrid's performance is overshadowed either by rival plug-ins or other Escape versions. It gives you an immediate shove forward when you hit the accelerator but is ultimately a bit slow. We took our test vehicle to our test track and measured a 0-60 mph sprint of 8.1 seconds. This is a bit better than a regular Escape Hybrid but ultimately slower than a regular Escape with the upgraded engine or the hot-rod Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in (5.6 seconds). The Escape PHEV is also a little soft and ponderous around corners. The steering can feel overly light and doesn't give you a good sense of the road or what the front tires are up to.
It's not all doom and gloom, however. While the brake pedal does require a fair push to slow the Escape, it's easy to come to smooth stops. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid also performed well in our 60-0 mph panic-stop tests.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the Escape Plug-in Hybrid? 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, which is a rarity in this class. The ride quality is generally relaxed, though driving over certain bumps causes harsher impacts in the cabin than we've noticed in other Escape models.
The Escape Plug-in Hybrid moves smoothly away from a stoplight with all-electric power. The experience is noticeably more pleasant than in non-hybrid Escapes; they have an engine stop-start system that roughly brings the engine to life after you leave a stop.
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, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are not available on any trim.
Interior
8.5/10
How’s the interior? 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, and the driver's seat offers a commanding view outward. 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.
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. The Escape's advanced driving aids work well and almost all are standard. Adaptive cruise control avoids the sudden braking exhibited by some competing systems, and the lane centering feature is great on the highway — it doesn't ping-pong the vehicle between lanes as some rival systems do.
Storage
8/10
How’s the storage? The Escape Plug-in Hybrid's cargo area behind the rear seats is pretty useful. 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 up to 60.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which is less than the Hyundai Tucson PHEV and Toyota RAV4 Prime.
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, which is an uncommon feature in this vehicle class. Easily accessible car seat anchors and tethers, plus the large rear seat, will make loading car seats a breeze.
How economical is the Escape Plug-in Hybrid? 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.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Escape Plug-in Hybrid 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.
Wildcard
7.5/10
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 electric range on a full charge.
Which Escape does Edmunds recommend?
An ST-Line trim would be our pick because it's the least expensive model with the fuel-efficient hybrid drivetrain. Thanks to its more distinctive interior and larger 18-inch wheels, it looks sportier than the lesser Active trim.
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 2026 Escape both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.9 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 2026 Ford Escape?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Ford Escape:
Platinum hybrid is now all-wheel-drive only
No longer for sale in California and states with California emissions
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 2026 Ford Escape a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Ford Escape is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 Escape and gave it a 7.9 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 Escape is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2026 Ford Escape?
The least-expensive 2026 Ford Escape is the 2026 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 $35,400.
Other versions include:
Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid EVT) which starts at $35,400
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
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