2025 Ford Escape

MSRP: $29,515

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Overview

The 2025 Ford Escape is a compact SUV that’s been around for six years now, so it’s fallen behind the best in this highly competitive class, but it’s still a good choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly crossover with efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, the latter with up to 37 miles of electric range. The cabin is roomy, and the tech levels are right up to date, with the Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assistance suite and Sync 4 infotainment system. It’s up against tough rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-50, and top-selling Toyota RAV4, but still ticks the boxes for buyers looking for efficiency and practicality over sporty driving dynamics. 

What’s New for 2025?

The 2025 Escape has stayed mostly the same since its 2023 mid-cycle refresh, but there are minor feature adjustments and deletions. Upper trims now get ActiveX-upholstered seats with a new quilting pattern, but many features disappear, like the Active’s power driver’s seat, surround-view camera, and reverse brake assist, as well as the bottom two trims’ power liftgate (these items are still optional or part of packages). The Active now has a urethane steering wheel and loses the illumination for its sunvisor mirrors. Most models lose the spare tire in favor of a tire-repair kit, and ambient lighting isn’t offered anymore at all. The 2025 Ford Escape’s price list starts at under $30K this year.

Exterior

The Escape looks sportier than most of its rivals, with slim LED headlights with a chrome strip linking them, and a piano-black grille, while the ST-Line adds more drama and aggression with body-color rocker panels, a black grille mesh, and 18-inch Rock Metallic wheels. Platinum and ST-Line Elite trims get a full-width front light bar. The ST-Line and above get a power liftgate, and the sportier trims also have dual chromed exhaust tips and a rear spoiler.

Ford

Ford

Ford

Interior

The Escape has a well-organized and practical cabin with lots of space and a sliding second-row bench to maximize flexibility; as much as 65.4 cu-ft of cargo space is on offer with it folded. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but lower trims get analog gauges and an eight-inch touchscreen, while the top trim gets a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen, which are optional on most of the other trims. A heated steering wheel and front seats are standard on upper trims, which also have access to a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Ford

Ford

Ford

Price Range and Best Value Trim

The ST-Line trim in hybrid format provides the best balance between excellent efficiency, sporty styling, and an affordable price..

Key Specs

Powertrain

Fuel Economy (MPG / MPGe)

Warranty

Ford’s warranty is competitive but trails competitors like Hyundai and Kia in powertrain coverage.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Four powertrain choices, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid
• Excellent fuel economy across the lineup
• Spacious cargo area with sliding second row
• Competitive pricing with generous standard safety tech

Cons

• The eight-speed automatic transmission feels unrefined on gas models
• Interior materials lag behind top competitors
• Handling lacks engagement and precision
• The base three-cylinder engine struggles at highway speeds

Verdict

The Ford Escape makes the most sense as a hybrid, with the regular hybrid’s outstanding 39-mpg efficiency being a particular selling point, usefully available in either FWD or RWD. The FWD-only PHEV is even more efficient, offering 101 MPGe and a 37-mile EV range. The regular hybrid in ST-Line trim is a particularly good buy at just over $30K, as you get a sportily styled and very efficient crossover for your money. The Escape’s roomy cabin has practical touches like a sliding rear bench, while tech levels are competitive, what with the Sync 4 infotainment system being intuitive and feature-rich.

Where the Escape falls short is in general driving manners, as the regular gas models’ eight-speed auto can be jerky, while the ride is a bit too firm, yet lacks the handling polish you get from a Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-50. Some interior plastics are also rather low-rent, especially in the base trims. While it’s a step or two behind the class best, the Escape is still a sensible, spacious, and well-rounded choice, especially in hybrid format.

Competitors:

• Toyota RAV4
• Honda CR-V
• Mazda CX-50
• VW Tiguan
• Chevrolet Equinox

About the author

Cobus F. Potgieter

Reviews and Features Editor

Cobus F. Potgieter is a Reviews and Features Editor at Autoblog covering new car reviews, and technology and historical features. He moved to motoring media full time in 2021 after a career as a public relations practitioner and joined The Arena Group in June 2025.