Rumors of the impending discontinuation of the Ford Escape have swirled for years now, and from multiple sources. As Ford Authority reported last August, that list includes a report that Ford Escape production at the Louisville Assembly plant is slated to end by the conclusion of 2025, after which The Blue Oval will focus on the Ford Bronco Sport as its compact crossover of choice. However, the report also claims that Ford plans to launch an all-electric compact crossover later this decade, though it’s unclear if it will utilize the Escape nameplate. Now, a new report indicates that nothing has changed in that regard.
This report comes to us from Automotive News, which provided us with some details pertaining to a recent meeting the automaker held with its dealer network. A dealer that attended the meeting noted that their peers raised concerns about the fact that discontinuing the Ford Escape could cause challenges in a world where consumers are seeking out more affordable vehicles, though regardless, the automaker still plans on phasing out the crossover by “the end of the year.” A Ford spokesperson declined to comment on the future of the Escape, however, only saying that it remains “an important product” in the automaker’s portfolio.
Rumors of the Escape’s demise originally surfaced back in mid-2022, when Ford CEO Jim Farley indirectly hinted that the model may be facing cancelation. A few months later, Farley stated that the company was planning on ditching ICE-powered two-row crossovers altogether, with the Ford Edge going away since then. As Ford Authority reported in November 2023, Ford’s new master contract agreement with the United Auto Workers (UAW) stated that the Escape and Lincoln Corsair would only be built through the “planned product lifecycle” of each, after which an “all new EV product will be added.” It’s also possible the Corsair could be built elsewhere and imported into the U.S., too.
Farley followed up his remarks by saying some nice things about the Ford Escape, which seemed to give us some hope that the small crossover might stick around, after all. However, earlier this month, the CEO also once again reiterated the fact that The Blue Oval intends to get rid of its “boring” models and instead focus on passion products moving forward.
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Escape is far more of the appropriate entry in this huge selling class (it outsells the B Sport) and it’s ludicrous that Ford would abandon the segment. For what, a Mustang Raptor? A Ranger Lightning? Ford execs have their heads up their arses. And they don’t care.
Especially since Ford created this segment back in the 1990s
It outsells B Sport even though the Escape costs more. Go figure. I have a ’23 Escape. When I was looking for a new car I didn’t find the B Sport to be practical for my needs. The back seat has no legroom and you can only get the 2.0L in the off-road version.
I don’t understand what Ford is doing. If they make a 2 row EV in Louisville, wouldn’t it just be competing with the Mach-E? There’s no way they’re going to make any money on that.
Escape isn’t boring. It’s a fun, tossable car-like crossover, which the Maverick and the Bronco Sport are not. I think ending the Escape leaves a big, exploitable hole in Ford’s lineup. I really hope they change their mind
That’s a lot of volume to give up, especially with the Edge already gone. Why does Farley still have a job?
This is a dumb decision but then again we’re talking about Ford.
Bet the Japanese and Koreans love the market share gm and Ford are handing them. What complete idiots we have running what’s left of the traditional American auto industry.
The Ford Escape will be replaced by a vehicle costing at least $15,000 more. However, quality control will remain non-existent since Failure Farley will still be in charge.
Ford sold over 140,000 Escapes in 2024 in the US last year. Someone please explain to me how Ford could lose $$ doing this?
I suppose Ford thinks making money is boring. I love Farley’s passion for Mustang but he doesn’t advertise the car. He sells a ton of Escapes but can’t make money doing it. The guy is moving toward the “moron” category for me.
As a lifelong Ford homer, BMW and Jaguar are looking pretty appealing right now.
Stockholders, take note.
Ford has lost contact with its buyers. The Broncho will not replace the ford Edge or Escape. What has happened to your R and D department. Get your head out Ford.
Not their best thinking and planning. Looks like all they think the public wants are huge trucks and street racers. No wonder all vehicles are running in the $50K range. ¡Son estúpidos!
Farley has abandoned core segments that provided a volume base of customers for future consideration of more profitable Ford and Lincoln products. Why? He won’t address the fundamental structural cost issues that inflict the entire company and are most visible in segments with many competitors. So, he has ceded hundreds of thousands of annual sales to Asian brands. Worse, we walked away from the company’s highest quality products… Fusion, Edge, MKZ. Add Escape to the list and you see a pattern of starving core products either thru lack of reinvestment or from Ford’s historic pursuits of decontenting a product as it ages until it becomes completely irrelevant.
Loving my 2023 Escape ST after being a longtime Edge driver. It’s hard to imagine why they are abandoning the segment. The Explorer Sport is of zero interest to most. Thankfully there are plenty of great options in the segment.
I believe you meant the Bronco Sport is of zero interest to most. There is no Explorer Sport.
With all due respect, Sir. Your vehicle is actually referred to as a 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line. There is no Escape ST. Ford designs, develops, and produces vehicles designated as being a true ST by Ford Sports Technologies. A true Ford ST anything, usually has its suspension, powertrain, interior, exterior and fat sticky tires on wide rims tweaked by the FORD Sports Technologies Team. The Escape ST-Line just has a few cosmetic tweaks attempting to offer a vehicle that’s all show without the go. And you do seem very pleased with your Ford though. Good Luck.
Ford has no product development money. They plowed whatever they had into EVs, and we see what that got them. Compact SUV is the hottest category out there, and they are abandoning it. Brilliant. Bronco Sport is designed (and named) to target a totally different segment and it isn’t exactly a runaway sales success. You are watching the death spiral of FoMoCo.
Farley is like a little kid who can’t have candy before dinner because his mother said so. He wanted to force EVs down our throats (remember the quote “most of our customers would be better off with EVs”? Well he apparently can’t swallow the fact that customers buy what they want, not what he wants, so he’ll take it away from us. Earth to Farley – there are other car companies. I have a 2024 Escape Platinum with the 2.0L EcoBoost. I like it a lot. In the future, if I can’t get what I want from Ford, I’ll go elsewhere. How does that fit into your P&L?
Now that the Edge is gone, those customers are going for the Escape. Just drive by a Ford dealer lot and look at all the Broncos sitting that it seems that nobody wants to buy.
We were sad when we heard the the Edge was ending, and ordered a Edge ST on the last day of orders being taken and love it.
Have driven Fords my entire life. My Wife and I both drive Ford Escapes… planning on new cars in 26 and 27. Looks like these will be our last ford autos. Maybe it’s time for a new Farley replacement.
Same here. I’ve only ever owned Ford and Mercury vehicles. I’m in the market now for something new and Ford no longer offers what I want — something the size of the Edge. The Explorer is nice, but overpriced and larger than I need. So, for the first time, I’m looking at other brands.
Isn’t Bronco within 4-5″ in most metrics? I thought even the cargo capacity was also very similar.
The Bronco is nice, but overkill for my needs. I would likely never do any serious off-roading, don’t want a removable roof, etc.
Never thought I would drive anything but Fords my entire life, but if Farley keeps taking the cars and SUVs away that I like, I really don’t have a choice! I thought running a successful business includes a wide range of products!
We’ve owned several Escapes, and currently own a 2021 model, along with a 2025 Maverick. Both have Ecoboost engines. The Escapes are good cars for a reasonable price, and I don’t understand their reasoning for discontinuing them.
The current escape should not have been called the escape to begin with. Call it a Focus X or something along those lines since its nothing more than a lifted, awd Focus. The Bronco Sport should have been called escape. Because if you compare the bronco sport to the original escape, the similarities and heritage show that that is exactly what it is. The Bronco and Bronco Sport naming has been a source of confusion for the consumer since day one.
On the surface, it seems like a bad idea to drop an SUV in favor of one that it that outsells handily. I would hope they have something new coming to replace it. Maybe that maverick/bronco sport van?
Worst decision letting the escape leave ford needs to build a replacement for the edge and continue the escape and bring back the fusion. Ford is going down hill.
Didn’t the $20,000 Maverick teach you anything? (now over $25000!)
You have dropped the Focus, Fusion and Edge…raised prices… and why your $50k+ vehicles have been sitting on lots, unsold since 2023! Where are your entry level vehicles that introduce new buyers to Ford? You could still be selling the Focus if you hadn’t destroyed it in the US with a defective transmission!
Another commodity vehicle bites the dust…and the competition could very well clean up at Ford’s expense…
Ford Management take note: not a whole lot of love for the idea of killing the Escape.
Read “the room”… This is another colossal mistake.
The whole marketing team who presents this idea to Farley needs to go !
In 3-5 years Ford will be gone
I love my escape …its the best car I’ve ever owned .. great on gas , enough room 5 , and sporty ..had a bronco sport first wasn’t a fan 😳
I love my Escape. It was perfect for me to take my elderly mom out in ,it wasn’t to high or to low for her to get in and out of. The mileage I get is great. I for one hope that they don’t get rid of them.