2025 Ford Escape

The 2025 Ford Escape, a five-person compact SUV, carries over largely unchanged from 2024. It offers gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available for all trim levels except for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

There are minor revisions to trim-specific features and packaging, and an all-new Space Silver Metallic paint color.

Pros

Wide range of powertrain options
Optional 13.2-inch touchscreen

Cons

Lower trim levels lack some safety tech offered by some rivals
Base models of some competitors have more comfort features

Person in driver's seat interacting with 2025 Ford Escape Platinum interior dashboard Ford

2025 Ford Escape Trim Levels

The 2025 Ford Escape is available in six trim levels: Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, ST-Line Elite, and Plug-in Hybrid.

The entry-level Active is the only trim without an electrified powertrain option. A turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine making 180 horsepower is the standard powerplant for the Active and ST-Line trims. A 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is standard on the ST-Line Select and above.

A hybrid powertrain is available starting with the Escape ST-Line. Pairing two electric motors with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, this combination generates 192 horsepower. In the PHEV, the system produces 210 horsepower.

The non-hybrid Escape is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while hybrid and PHEV models feature a continuously variable transmission. An AWD system is available with Active and ST-Line trims, and is standard starting with the ST-Line Select. The PHEV powertrain is only offered with front-wheel drive (FWD).

Active

The base version of the 2025 Ford Escape has 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, cloth seats with manual adjustment up front, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

ST-Line

The ST-Line adds 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and roof rails to dress up the outside, while its cabin features a power-adjustable driver's seat as well as combination cloth and synthetic leather upholstery.

ST-Line Select

In addition to its more powerful engine, the Escape ST-Line Select has heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, and a power liftgate.

Platinum

The Escape Platinum builds on the ST-Line Select with 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, power adjustment for the passenger's seat, and a 13.2-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation. It also includes a wireless device charging pad.

ST-Line Elite

The top version of the Escape is outfitted like the Platinum, albeit with trim-specific styling touches and adaptive cruise control.

Plug-in Hybrid

The Escape PHEV comes equipped with the standard amenities of the ST-Line Select but with the technology of the Platinum. This means 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 13.2-inch infotainment display.

Red 2025 Ford Escape ST Line Elite parked by a cliff Christian Wardlaw

2025 Ford Escape Cargo Capacity and Towing

The 2025 Ford Escape offers 34.4 cubic-feet of cargo space when the second-row seats are in use. When the rear seats are down, there's 65.4 cu-ft of space. The 2025 Ford Escape will tow up to 3,500 pounds.

2025 Ford Escape Fuel Economy

The Escape's standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder has an EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating of 30 mpg in combined city and highway driving with FWD and up to 28 mpg combined with AWD. The turbocharged 2.0-liter, which is available on AWD-only trims, returns 26 mpg combined.

With the 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain, Ford Escape Hybrid models are estimated to achieve 39 mpg combined with FWD and AWD. The Escape PHEV has an all-electric range of up to 37 miles and is estimated to return 40 mpg combined when operating on gasoline only.

Gray 2025 Ford Escape Platinum parked by a lake Ford

2025 Ford Escape Safety Ratings and Features

The 2025 Ford Escape received a five-out-of-five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) assigned the Escape "Good" scores in the small and moderate overlap front tests. However, the SUV received "Marginal" scores in the side-impact crash test and in frontal-crash prevention.

Standard safety features of the 2025 Escape include automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, evasive-steering assist, lane-centering assist, rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera are available depending on trim.

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Beverly Braga

Beverly Braga is a freelance writer and consultant with nearly 20 years of experience as a storyteller and communications professional. Her work has appeared in numerous print and digital outlets covering the automotive, entertainment, lifestyle, as well as food and beverage industries.