Ford recently announced intent to ramp up production of its entry level models across its lineup, expanding access to more affordable trims for buyers who don’t want to break the bank for a new ride. Today, Ford Authority is spotlighting the 2025 Ford Escape Active, an affordable yet mighty crossover with plenty of standard features and tech that make it a competitive option.
Harnessing the turbocharged 1.5L EcoBoost I3 engine, the 2025 Ford Escape Active is good for a peppy 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, relayed to either the front two (FWD) or all four (AWD) wheels via the eight-speed automatic transmission. That engine is situated behind LED reflector headlamps and a grille with a chrome grille strip plus a black molded-in-color (MIC) bumper and a matching bumper out back. Its door handles are finished body color, while the upper window molding and beltline molding are also finished in black. The chrome up front is echoed out back in the dual chrome exhaust tips, and the crossover rolls on 17-inch Shadow Silver painted aluminum wheels.
Meanwhile, inside, the 2025 Ford Escape Active sports an eight-inch instrument panel display, relaying relevant information to the driver with a pleasant Ice Blue lighting theme. It cradles up to five passengers with Unique Cloth bucket seats, while infotainment duties and Sync 4 are handled by its eight-inch center stack screen.
Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard onboard the 2025 Ford Escape Active. This fits the crossover with automatic high beam headlamps, lane keep assist features, a rearview camera, and other standard safety goodies to keep the driver and passenger out of harm’s way on the road. It also boasts an AM/FM radio with a six-speaker audio system and SiriusXM where applicable.
All told, the 2025 Ford Escape Active FWD starts at $30,590, while opting for the AWD variant bumps the price to $31,990. Even so, it’s an affordable crossover and one of the more popular in its bracket – although it’s likely to be discontinued after the 2026 model year as The Blue Oval streamlines its lineup. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good vehicle, by any means; Consumer Reports added the crossover to its list of recommended models, commended for its above-average reliability.
Ford Authority also highlighted other entry level models across Ford’s lineup, including the 2025 Ford Maverick XL and the 2025 Ford Explorer Active.
Comments
It’s a lousy value thanks to the ’25 decontenting. And then you have to buy a (probably) $2K extended warranty and it’s worse. I usually trust CR, but in this case, going from unreliable in one year and then reliable in the next? I don’t buy it.
Go back in your hole
And join a moron like you?