Coming off a mid-cycle refresh for the 2023 model year, the Ford Escape has been treated to a pretty extensive list of changes for the 2025 model year, too. This goes far beyond the typical changes we see in things like available exterior colors and package tweaks, as the 2025 Ford Escape has lost quite a few previously-standard features – while gaining a few others. Now, the 2025 Ford Escape is set to undergo yet another change – this time, inside the cabin.
That update is the addition of ActiveX seating for the ST-Line Elite with the Premium Technology Package, or the PHEV model when equipped with the Premium Package. Previously, these two packages included leather seats for the 2024 model year, but the 2025 Ford Escape is making the switch to the synthetic seating material instead. This is just the latest update for the 2025 Ford Escape among quite a few of them, however.
That list includes the power liftgate, which was previously standard on the Active and ST-Line trims, but is now a standalone option for both. Active Park Assist 2.0 has been deleted entirely from the lineup, and the premium wrapped steering wheel – previously standard on the Active trim for 2024 – has been replaced by a urethane steering wheel in the 2025 model.
The 2025 Ford Escape Active has also lost its previously-standard eight-way power driver’s seat, replacing it with a six-way manual seat. The ST-Line is losing its aluminum foot pedals that were previously standard on all three ST-Line trims, while the ST-Line Elite and Platinum are ditching the previously-standard ambient lighting. For 2025, the ST-Line and ST-Line Select are ditching their monochromatic painted bodyside cladding, rocker panels, and bumpers in favor of molded-in-color components.
The 2025 Ford Escape has also ditched its spare tire in non-hybrid models, which no longer come with that part as standard equipment, and instead, The Blue Oval has gone back to equipping them with the Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit, though a spare is still available as an option for pure ICE models. Finally, rain-sensing wipers are no longer standard on the ST-Line Elite and Platinum trims, too. As far as exterior colors go, Space Silver Metallic has been added as a no-cost option for all trims, though Iconic Silver Metallic and Race Red have also been deleted.
We’ll have more on the 2025 Ford Escape soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Escape news and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Who cares about the Escape any more after all this decontenting?
Who cares? GM cares. Laughing all the way to the bank. Escape is heading all the way back to the stone age.
No way in hell am I ever purchasing a vehicle with vinyl seats (regardless of naming schemes). And all my vehicle have a keyless entry keypad (except Mustang) and semi automated parallel parking (except Mustang).
I doubt I’ll find any future Ford vehicles with buying. Poor value. Poor quality.
I feel sorry for Ford dealers and employees. They are victims of mismanagement… so are the customers who Ford has chased away to competitors.
I went from leather seats on my Sport Trac to ActiveX on my Maverick Lariat, and to tell the truth I can’t even see any difference in comfort or looks. Also, the wife’s Lincoln Corsair Reserve has Park Assist, but we’ve never even used it because we both know how to park.
Now they’ve also de-contented the leather covered steering wheel, B pillar keypad, and windshield wiper warmers on the later models of the Maverick, and those I would NOT be happy to lose!
They can eliminate all the factory NAV systems (especially the ones that require subscriptions) as long as they have Apple Car Play and for others Android Car Play as Google Maps is the quickest to set up and only up to the minute NAV system including construction detours, etc.
The $5B EV loss. Have to make it back somehow.
Well make sure to vote RIGHT this year and get rid of this HORRIBLE EV mandate Biden created and that’s killing our auto industry.
I’ve been buying Ford vehicles since 1960, but it seems they are removing a lot of items from vehicles, especially the Escape, which seems to be, they might want to discontinue this vehicle, because a lot of people don’t want a vehicle at the same prices, but with less equipment! If they keep continuing this trend, I will be switching brands of vehicles, even after all these years of buying Fords!
They are discontinuing it after this model year. And it’s a shame as I do like them. When it’s time I’ll look for a pre-owned 2023/2024 like I did with my Fusion Titanium that’s fully loaded
I did similarly. When Ford announced they’d be discontinuing sedans, I bought a CPO Fusion Platinum (2 year only trim; Fusion was Ford’s highest quality/customer sat vehicle). When Ford announce their new EV 4-door crossover would be called a Mustang, I bought a real a Mustang (2-door sports couple). F-O-R-D will soon stand for Formerly Owner, Retiree Disappointed.
I would never buy a car without it coming with a spare tyre. With all the pot holes around the world, how is a can of sealant going to fix a blow out hole.
Farley is going to ruin this company they go up on the price and every year they take away features and colors. I think Ford will not survive this decade at this rate. All Farley wants to sell is GTD Mustangs to his rich friends and give a big you know what to his core customers who would like to get one. The North American management is a joke all they know how to do is take away features that the customer wants and go up on the price while doing so. Soon we will be back to one color Black and if you do not like it hit the road jack. What North American management did to the Ranger is just sorry with all they took away. They took the rear vents, grab handles, extra cup holders, decals and optional roof racks that everyone else gets in the world except USA. Even the new 2025 Explorer tows less this year and according to the head engineer we wanted less because he knows what we want. If Ford does not clean house with these people who believe in under delievering is what the customer wants Ford will be nomore.
FORD is on the way out. It’s only a matter of a few years.