OverviewWhen it made its debut 20-some years ago, the Ford Escape Hybrid was a trailblazer: the first hybrid SUV to market—and a good one at that. But in the years since, other automakers caught on and caught up, and today, their electrified compact crossovers have pushed Ford’s towards the bottom of the compact hybrid SUV class.
That’s not to say the Escape Hybrid is a bad vehicle. It comes in two versions: a conventional hybrid and a plug-in (PHEV). The latter can propel this small SUV solely on electricity for an estimated 37 miles; the former still does a good job of sipping gas, which is a hybrid’s reason for being, after all. Shoppers can also equip the spacious cabin with a large and easy-to-use infotainment screen, though there’s not much they can do about the cheap-looking plastic in the lower trims. With the hunky looking Bronco Sport SUV in the lineup and a new, Maverick-size EV pickup on the way—to be built in the plant that produces the Escape—Ford says 2026 will be the Escape’s final year. Maybe it’s time. Expert Tip: Take a spin in a Honda CR-V Hybrid or Hyundai Tucson Hybrid before you go to the Ford showroom. What’s New for 2026?The Escape Hybrid sees no changes for 2026, which is likely to be its last year on the market.Pricing and Which One to BuyIt makes sense to start with the Escape Hybrid Platinum, as it comes with a bunch of tech (like adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, evasive steering assist, etc.) and comfort features (like heating for the front seats and steering wheel) that lesser models either don’t get or charge a lot for.Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- Hybrid Powertrains: 2.5-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors, 192 hp combined; 2.5-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors, 201 hp combined
- Transmission: continuously variable automatic (CVT)
- Drivetrains: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
Ford offers two hybrid powertrains in the Escape: one that plugs in and one that doesn’t. The conventional hybrid makes 192 horsepower, and the plug-in, 201. The plug-in is exclusively a front-driver, but shoppers can option all-wheel drive on the standard Escape Hybrid. Both models exhibit competent-if-forgettable handling and a comfortable ride. Both powertrains transition between gas and electric power without fuss. The plug-in, when relying on electrons alone in pure-electric mode, is reasonably quiet. While we wouldn’t take either model for a Sunday pleasure ride on a twisty road, they’re more than up to the tasks you’d ask of a compact SUV, from commuting to school pickup to family vacation trips.0–60-MPH Times
- C/D 60-mph Tests: 7.7 seconds (both conventional hybrid and plug-in
In Comparison: Neither Escape Hybrid is quick, but their performance is adequate. The model with the conventional hybrid powertrain does get to 60 mph 0.2 seconds quicker than the Honda CR-V Hybrid, though. (Honda does not make a plug-in version of the CR-V.)Additional ResearchTowing and Payload Capacity
- Max Towing: 1500 pounds
To enable the Escape Hybrid’s 1500-pound towing capability, shoppers must spec a Class II trailer hitch, which is available on all but the base model.Range, Charging, and Battery Life
- C/D Range Test: 30 miles (PHEV)
The plug-in-hybrid model carries a 10.7-kWh battery pack, which can power the SUV for an estimated 37 miles, according to the EPA. On our 75-mph highway test, it didn’t get quite that far. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
- C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 84 MPGe/40 mpg (plug-in model)
- EPA City Rating: 42 mpg (conventional hybrid model)
- EPA Highway Rating: 36 mpg (conventional hybrid model)
The EPA hasn’t released fuel-economy information for the 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid yet, but the ratings shouldn’t change. The 2025 conventional hybrid earns estimates of 42 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, regardless of its drivetrain. With a fully charged battery, the front-drive-only Escape plug-in should return 101 MPGe in mixed driving, then 40 mpg combined once the juice runs out. (MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV fuel efficiency.) When we ran the PHEV on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy loop, it saw 84 MPGe under electric power and 40 mpg when operating in hybrid mode. For more information about the Escape Hybrid’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoFirst Row: The Escape Hybrid’s cabin is handsomely styled and spacious but rife with hard-plastic trim, which makes it feel decidedly down-market. The driving position offers good outward visibility, though the seat cushion and bolsters could do with some reshaping.Second Row: Legroom is generous in the back seat, as is headroom. Adults should have little to complain about.Cargo Capacity: Behind its second row, the Escape Hybrid can fit just as many carry-on bags as the Chevrolet Equinox: eight. With the rear seat folded, the Ford has room for 21 suitcases, but its crosstown rival can better that by two. The PHEV’s cargo hold is a little less roomy than the HEV’s, as Ford had to raise the floor slightly to accommodate its lithium-ion battery pack. Infotainment and Connectivity
- Infotainment: 8.0-inch touchscreen (standard), 13.2-inch touchscreen (optional)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Audio Systems: 6-speaker stereo (standard), 10-speaker B&O stereo (optional)
Low-level models receive an 8.0-inch touchscreen running Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment software, though shoppers can pay extra for a 13.2-inch unit (which comes standard on high trims). Both screens are easy to use and support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The larger display also features built-in navigation. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is available in certain models, as is a 10-speaker B&O stereo (in place of the standard six-speaker setup).Safety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesFord provides several driver-assistance features, such as lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automated emergency braking. If you want adaptive cruise control or automated parking tech, you’ll have to pay for a package or a high trim level.
- Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist
- Optional Safety Features: adaptive cruise control, automated parking assist
For information about the Escape Hybrid’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.Warranty and Maintenance CoverageCompared with the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage, the Ford Escape Hybrid offers merely acceptable warranty terms.
- Limited Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
- Battery-Component Warranty: eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary Maintenance: none
C/D Test Results and Specs We test hundreds of vehicles each year. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that’s because the current model hasn’t changed from when we last tested it.SpecificationsSpecifications
2023 Ford Escape PHEV
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $41,995/$48,320
POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 163 hp, 145 lb-ft + 2 AC motors, 90 and 129 hp, 48 and 176 lb-ft (combined output: 210 hp, 10.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 3.5-kW onboard charger)
Transmission: continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.0-in vented disc/11.9-in disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy A/S
225/60R-18 100H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.7 in
Length: 180.1 in
Width: 74.1 in
Height: 66.1 in
Curb Weight: 4038 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.0 sec @ 91 mph
100 mph: 19.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.3 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 122 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.78 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph Highway Driving, EV/Hybrid Mode: 84 MPGe/40 mpg
75-mph Highway Range, EV/Hybrid mode: 30/440 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 40/42/37 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 101 MPGe
EV Range: 37 mi
2020 Ford Escape SE Sport Hybrid AWD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$34,345 (base price: $30,950)
POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle 2.5-liter inline-4, 163 hp, 155 lb-ft; permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor; combined output, 200 hp; 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.0-in vented disc/11.9-in disc
Tires: Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus, 225/55R-19 99H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.7 in
Length: 180.5 in
Width: 74.1 in
Height: 66.1 in
Passenger volume: 101 cu ft
Cargo volume: 31 cu ft
Curb weight: 3791 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1 ft: 0.4 sec
60 mph: 7.7 sec
100 mph: 21.8 sec
110 mph: 31.6 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.9 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.7 sec
¼-mile: 16.1 sec @ 89 mph
Top speed (C/D est): 120 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.83 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 30 mpgEPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 40/43/37 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
Source: caranddriver.com
