2025 Ford Escape

Performance 

The Ford Escape is available with two powertrains. Things start with the engine in the Active and ST-Line, which get a lot out of a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged inline-three. It produces 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to an eight-speed transmission and sends power to the front wheels in the Active and either the front (FWD) or all four wheels (AWD) in the ST-Line. Good mileage is a hallmark of this engine, which is EPA-rated at 27/34/30 mpg for city, highway, and combined driving (FWD drivetrain). AWD ST-Line models are rated only slightly lower at 26/32/28. 

The rest of the strictly gas-powered models are powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged inline-four. This is the most powerful engine of the Escape model line, with 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It is also paired with an eight-speed transmission, and all models with this engine have all-wheel drive. The EPA mpg estimates for this drivetrain are 23/31/26. 

The Escape has four-wheel independent suspension featuring struts up front and a multi-link arrangement in the rear. Sport tuning of the suspension is available on lower trims and standard on higher trims.  

Exterior 

While the platform-sharing Bronco Sport is all right angles and boxy, this fourth generation Escape design moves in the opposite direction and displays its most curvaceous body to date. It has both a wider track and longer length than the previous generation and yet weighs, on average, about 200 pounds less. The leaned-back headlights and hexagonal grille below the front’s leading edge all represent a sport rather than sport utility aesthetic.  

The ST-Line Elite takes things a step further with an LED light bar across the upper edge of the grille that virtually connects the LED daytime running lights of the LED headlight clusters. All models sport alloy wheels, starting with 17-inch wheels on the Active and growing to 18 inches on the rest of the model line, except the Platinum and ST-Elite, each of which rides on its own version of 19-inch wheels with machined-finish spokes against a black background.  

Other features vary by trim level, with black window surrounds on the ST-Line models and a chrome surround on the Platinum model. A Panoramic Vista Roof lets the sun shine above both the first and second rows and is available on all trim levels.  

Interior 

The interior is spacious for the class, and your rear passengers can stretch out with over 40 inches of rear legroom on the gas-powered models. Hybrids are close at 38.9 inches. The shoulder room is also generous, with 57 inches in the front and 56 inches in the rear. Up front, a rotary shift dial is easy to use and allows open access to the cup holders and storage space, as well as an available wireless charging pad at the front of the center console.  

On the gas models, there is 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which grows to 65.4 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. Hybrid models need a little space for the battery, but not much: 34.4 cubic feet with all seats up and 60.8 in full cargo-carrying mode. 

Technology 

All models feature Ford’s latest SYNC 4 operating system for the infotainment system. This is the most convenient, fast, and intuitive menu arrangement, and it is wirelessly compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you prefer or are used to their interfaces. SYNC 4 also includes the Google Alexa voice recognition system, which allows you to give casually spoken commands that will be understood for a variety of vehicle functions.  

All occupants can stay connected with the standard Fordpass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot, and USB ports keep phones charged. Platinum and ST-Line Elite models also provide a wireless charging pad for phones with the Qi wireless charging protocol, which is part of most modern phones.  

Dual-zone climate control is standard across the model line. Starting with the ST-Line Select, the Escape can be remotely started so the system can bring the cabin to your desired temperature before you get to the car. The standard audio system consists of six speakers. No less than Bang & Olufsen supplies the premium audio system with ten speakers, including a subwoofer.  This system is available on all models except the Active and ST-Line. 

Safety and Driver Assistance 

The Escape offers several technologies for general safety and driving over long distances. All models come standard with Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Other features available on various models include Adaptive Cruise Control to control speed even in traffic and the Lane Keeping System, which employs a combination of alerts and active measures to avoid accidental lane departure and keep the vehicle centered within the lane. Traction control, ABS, tire-pressure monitoring system, rearview camera, and full front and side airbags are standard on every Escape. 

The 2025 Escape has not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the effectively identical 2024 model earned an overall 5-star rating for its ability to protect drivers and passengers in crash tests and for its onboard safety technology. For the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the Escape received a “Good” rating—the highest rating—on the Front Small Overlap, Front Moderate Overlap, and Original Side impact tests.