Sitting as the entry level model in the Escape lineup, the 2025 Ford Escape Active received a few subtle tweaks compared to its 2024 model year brethren. For example, it lost the premium wrapped steering wheel in favor of a urethane unit, while the trim’s power driver’s side seat is a thing of the past, too. There’s another minor change for the Escape Active that’s easier to spot – it’s been treated to different window moldings.
2023 Ford Escape with chrome upper window molding
The 2025 Ford Escape Active now sports all-black window moldings, which hug the greenhouse and beltline of the crossover. For comparison, the 2024 Escape Active featured chrome upper window moldings, which arc above the side windows, while the beltline molding was black. However, there is no chrome molding to be had on the 2025 Escape Active; black is the only option.
Though it received minor equipment changes, the 2025 Escape Active is still relatively well equipped for its status as a base model. Ford Authority dove deep into what its $30,590 starting price gets, which includes plenty of standard features like 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, supporting standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) or standard all-wheel-drive (AWD).
2025 Ford Escape with black window moldings
Other standard fare includes bright LED projector headlights, chrome grille trim, and 17-inch Shadow Silver painted aluminum wheels. Inside, the 2025 Ford Escape Active features a standard eight-inch infotainment display, which runs Sync 4 software. Ford Co-Pilot360 is also standard, which kits the crossover with a bundle of safety features to keep drivers and passengers out of harm’s way while on the road.
It wasn’t just the Active trim that lost equipment for the 2025 model year. The 2025 Ford Escape lost its standard power liftgate across the board, while the spare tire was replaced with an inflator kit for roadside emergencies.
The future of the Ford Escape was a bit murky for some time, initially expected to bow out before the 2026 model year. However, as Ford Authority reported not too long ago, the crossover will live on through the 2026 model year after all.
Comments
Hmmm… self-fulfilling… make a poor value vehicle less of a value via decontenting. Interior materials have been much cheaper than the CRV. Exterior now looks cheaper. Oh wait! The Escape has the much maligned 1.5L engine and Ford’s reputation for bottom quartile quality.
Self-fulfilling that sales will continue to slide and Farley can “justify” discontinuing a once segment-leading product. Pathetic.
theres 6 months left in the product’s life. They have always decontent vehicles the last year.
“No more boring vehicles”. That’s what Mr. Farley said.
Buyers and reviewers fault the Escape in some areas, namely interior trim and materials, but agree the 2.0L 4-banger is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and a fun car. This must upset Mr. F., so he wants to make the car ever more “boring”.
People keep buying them, which must upset the big guy even more. So do some more de-contenting; drop the price $50 and take out $1,000 worth of features. There. Got it done. People stopped buying because it was boring. Now we can (finally) drop this thing.
Well, I think anyone with that type of management potential should be paid $24 million per year for his brilliance. Apparently the Ford family agrees with me.
And the Escape will be replaced with a lame ass EV that will sell a quarter of the volume as the present Escape and Ford will seem it a rousing success 🙄
Less and less car for more and more money. A class in how to push a vehicle out the door.
But at least those ATPs are up!
Great job Ford. Eliminate the few things that perceives quality (leather wraped steering wheel, power lift gate) and add something no one will ever notice (black window molding). This company is on a hopeless trajectory.
Sad since Ford more or less created this segment with the Escape and dominated it. Now like so many segments that Ford once dominated and pissed away, Escape is next.
The Jim Farley “Less is more” campaign continues. How the hell this guy is in charge is beyond me. Let’s see what he’s done to the Escape since 2022. Fog lamps gone. Power seat gone. Power liftgate gone. Keypad gone. Leather wrapped wheel gone. There are villages all over this country that would welcome guys like Farley and Billy. Please put Sheila Ford Hamp in charge before it’s too late. She can save the company like she saved the Lions.
none of those items are gone. you can get them in optional packages. you have no idea what you are talking about.