The 2026 Ford Escape in a Nutshell
By the early 2000s, the Japanese had pretty much cornered the compact crossover market. Ford didn’t take that sitting down, though, and the Ford Escape was the result of that. For 25 years, it battled the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and has been a steady seller for Ford since.
Now in its fourth generation, the current Escape was revealed in 2019 for the 2020 model year. The crossover was then given a facelift for 2023 and has gotten a couple more minor updates after that. This will also be the final generation of the Escape, as it will be discontinued by the end of the year.
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2026 Ford Escape Lease Deals for March
While the Escape is going away soon, Ford has several lease deals available for it. It’s offered on most trims, all of which have 48-month leasing periods. It starts with the Active at $337 per month with $3,522 due at signing. The ST-Line goes for $347 per month with a due at signing of $3,616.
The ST-Line Select has a monthly rate of $384 with $4,035 due at signing, while the Platinum is $432 per month, with $4,376 due at signing. As for the ST -Line Elite, that can be leased for $428 per month with $4,471 due at signing. Mileage limited to 10,500 per year.
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2026 Ford Escape Highlights
The Ford Escape is available in six trims, with prices ranging from $30,350 to $37,940, making it one of the least expensive cars in its class. The trim levels available are Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Plug-in Hybrid, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum. Standard across the range is Ford Co-Pilot360 advanced driver assists, Roll Stability Control, FordPass Connect, Sync 4 infotainment, and wireless phone integration.
The ST-Line gets sportier exterior and interior styling, plus power seats and larger 18-inch alloys. ST-Line Select gets a more powerful standard engine and a hybrid option, as well as standard all-wheel drive, heated front seats and steering wheel, plus a power tailgate. The features found in the ST-Line Select are also standard in the plug-in hybrid. ST-Line Elite gets adaptive cruise control as standard, along with a larger 13.2 infotainment screen. As for the Platinum, it gets everything from the trim below it, but swaps out the sporty themes for more chrome.
For engines, the Active and ST-Line use a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine with 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. ST-Line Select and up come with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost that produces 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Moving to the electrified powertrains, the hybrid is optional on ST-Line Select models and above. It’s a 2.5-liter Atkinson Cycle engine mated to two motors, giving it a combined output of 200 hp. The plug-in hybrid uses the same setup, but with a larger battery, charging capabilities, and a higher power output at 221 hp. However, the PHEVs are front-wheel drive only.
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Final Thoughts
Value is the Escape’s trump card, and even the lower trims are already well-equipped. Prices don’t breach the $40,000 mark, which is a rarity in its class these days. It’s plenty practical, which is what one expects from any compact crossover, and the hybrids are true fuel misers. There are good deals to be had here, and it’s good to check these out before they’re gone for good.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle.
About the author
Anton Andres
News Editor