2026 Ford Escape

Price Range: $30,050 - $38,635

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2026 Ford Escape is a spacious and comfortable compact SUV with a user-friendly infotainment system and wide range of powertrain options, but many of its competitors match it in those areas and also offer more driving engagement and a higher-quality interior.

#6 out of 14

Small SUVs

35 Owner Reviews

Pros

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

Cons

Con:Transmission's abrupt shifts
Con:Lackluster handling

What’s new

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

6 Colors
6 Trims
5 Packages

Build & Price Ford.com

2026 Ford Escape Review

Overview

Written by automotive expert Alex Nishimoto

7/18/2025

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.

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.

Which Escape trim 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.

Compare 2026 Ford Escape trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Ford Escape models

The 2026 Ford Escape is a compact SUV available in six trim levels: Active, PHEV, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite and Platinum. Four powertrains are available, including a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, in the lineup. Keep reading for our rundown of each configuration and the Escape's standard and optional features.

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

2025 Ford Escape

At a Glance:

6 Colors
6 Trims
5 Packages
$29,515starting MSRP

Build & Price Ford.com

Ford Escape Owner Reviews

3.9

5(63%)

4(5%)

3(8%)

2(7%)

1(17%)

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

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..

24 Escape st line 1.5 Burning/sulfur Smell

Blackjac24, 04/27/2024

2024 Ford Escape ST-Line 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

I just bought my 24 Escape on April 12, 24 I was driving to my parents house and the check engine light came on with a burning smell at 188 miles. Took car in the next day. They kept it for 1 day said they reprogrammed the module and couldn't duplicate the burning oil smell. Picked it up drove out to my parent the smell was still there and it fills the inside of the car. No check engine …

Looks of a compact SUV, the power of a sports car

FusionPilot, 08/09/2024

2024 Ford Escape Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Replaced a 2013 Ford Fusion with this 2024 Ford Escape Platinum 2.0 L eco-boost 250 HP engine. This is my first SUV and I am very happy with the vehicle. It’s not perfect but it checks all the boxes. The really good - the 2L turbo 4 banger is amazing. 250 HP in this little car makes it a wolf in sheep’s sheet metal. The 8 speed is smooth and best of all, it’s not a slush-box CVT. … Deciding you don’t want a CVT eliminates about half the potential compact SUV choices. The electronics are excellent. I have to admit they take some time to learn, but as I become increasingly familiar with them I really like Ford’s SYNC 4. The available drive modes - sport, slippery, normal, and economy really change the driving dynamics. Sport in particular makes the car even more exciting by making the accelerator more responsive, changing the shift points and making this hot hatch even hotter. Gas mileage is impressive - in mixed driving I am getting 25 MPG, compared to 19 or so in the Fusion I previously had. And the Fusion also sported a 2L eco-boost, so I’m guessing the 8 speed is contributing to that. And the 10 speaker B&O audio system is excellent, again comparing it to the 6 speaker Sony system in the Fusion. Finally I find the car one of the quietest vehicles I have ever owned. At normal highway cruise speeds there is little or no wind or road noise at all. The good - seats, seating position, steering and brakes are fine. I don’t share the negative feelings expressed by some other reviewers. The looks of the vehicle are also attractive, having been updated in 2023. The things they missed - there is no “global window open/close” that other Fords have. Why, Ford? It’s just software after all! The big display is great but the map appears in washed-out colors that make it difficult to see when underway. It’s helpful to be able to glance at the map to gauge where a turn is coming, or where a street intersection is; that is much safer than looking around in all directions while driving. Finally, the transition from a sedan to the SUV means a much higher seating position, and I find myself driving 10 to 15 MPH faster without realizing it - you have to be careful there! All in all I am very happy with my purchase. UPDATE February 2025 It's been a trouble-free six months with the Escape. Everything is working as it is supposed to; I have no complaints about fit and finish, reliability, and as-delivered condition. I continue to be impressed with the engine and despite its peppy performance, the gas mileage continues to be in the mid-20s in mixed driving. Several minor things that may be the "nature of the beast" I have noticed. When you have Apple Car Play connected, the Ford Sync system will not place calls. You have to use Siri and the Apple system. That's not necessarily bad but I got used to the simple "Phone" command in the earlier Sync system in my Fusion, and I think this system is a bit more complicated. It's a car, after all, not a living room full of hi-fi and intelligent speakers. Keep it simple, folks! The map contrast is still a point I would address - either make the background color different or increase the color of the roads and markers. I've learned to live with it, but it could be better. Comparing it to the earlier Fusion, the Fuze was definitely easer to read with a quick glance while you are driving. Inside the car on the visor there is a placard about rollover risk, noting that the Escape's higher CG makes it more prone to instability in radical maneuvers. I have never sensed any such tendency to over-lean or not comply with turns and even quick movements in traffic when some other driver intrudes on your lane. I suppose technically it is less stable than a low-slung sports car, but if you truly "drive" this vehicle rather than "aim" it, you get a feel for the dynamics and it is plenty stable. A driver should be able to sense the willingness of a vehicle to handle and not be tempted to push it past its limits. The Escape is fine in this department. If I had a magic wand and could have Ford do anything I wanted, I'd ask them to extend the rear of the vehicle about 12". It would dramatically alter the load-capacity, especially with the back seats up. Frankly, I miss the deep trunk of the Fusion and have had several occasions when things were too long and had to be shoe-horned in. However in fairness, the height of the rear compartment is light-years ahead of the sedan, and takes tall things without complaint that would not fit in a three-box sedan. I truly dislike the automatic stop-start system, and turn it off whenever I get in the car. It's a shame that the driver can't permanently switch it off - but that is not a complaint about Ford; it is apparently the same thing with all vehicles. Other than the map contrast I mentioned earlier, the screen, the driver's display, and the HUD are excellent, provide useful information, and are easy to adjust (after you get some familiarity). I don't understand why some reviewers have commented negatively about the HVAC controls at the bottom of the screen. I find them intuitive and responsive, and am very happy with all the electronics in general. Ford gets credit for some significant improvements in driver assist items, compared to earlier vehicles (and my earlier Fusion). They absolutely nailed the automatic high beams, keeping the highway well illuminated while automatically dimming for oncoming traffic. The system is flawless. The "Coast to Coast Lightbar" across the hood makes you easily noticed even in daylight. My subjective experience is that people are not pulling out in front of me as much as they did in the Fusion. You are well lit up and easy to see for traffic. That's a big safety plus in my opinion. All in all with over 6 months' experience I am very, very happy with this vehicle. It's not perfect, but it's fun to drive, versatile, and a pleasant experience, even on a trip of several hundred miles. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

Overheating Engine!

Chris B, 09/15/2024

2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Select 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I cant tell you much about our experience with this vehicle. We had it for 2 months before we were getting a warning about the engine overheating while driving on a highway. We brought it in to be repaired and have not had the vehicle back in months. The dealership gives us different information each time we talk to them. Ford Canada calls and the dealership tells them something …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Ford Escape, so we've included reviews for other years of the Escape since its last redesign.

2026 Ford Escape