2026 Ford Escape Trims Comparison

The 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.

Be aware that Ford offers a hybrid powertrain for the ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite and Platinum. This powertrain has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and makes 192 horsepower. It drives the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The exception is the Platinum hybrid, which comes with all-wheel drive.

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. It's joined to a continuously variable automatic transmission, driving only the front wheels. 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.

Active
Since the Base trim is only available as a fleet vehicle, the Active trim starts things off for the Escape:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Cloth upholstery
• 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Six-speaker sound system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Power liftgate
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Keyless entry and start
• Manually adjustable driver's seat
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Two rear USB ports

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 keeping assistance (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)

The Active Premium Pack is an optional package on the Active trim that includes:

• 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)

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
• 12.3-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:

• 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine
• All-wheel drive
• LED foglights
• One-touch power windows
• Remote start
• 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
• Digital instrument panel
• Driver's seat memory functions
• Power-adjustable front passenger seat
• 12.3-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
• Rain-sensing front wipers
• Roof-rack side rails
• Universal garage door opener

Many features found on the top trims are offered 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