2026 Ford Escape Drops Front Wheel Drive Hybrid Configurations

The future of the Ford Escape seemed murky until a few months ago, when Ford Authority reported that the crossover would live to see the 2026 model year after all. Details regarding the forthcoming 2026 Ford Escape have been slowly trickling in since then, and we’ve learned of a major change headed for the crossover: it’s dropping the front-wheel-drive (FWD) hybrid configuration.

Sources familiar with the matter told Ford Authority that the 2026 Ford Escape ST-Line and Platinum trims will no longer offer FWD in conjunction with the 2.5L I4 hybrid powertrain. Note that these trims will still have an available 2.5L hybrid powertrain, but it will be exclusively paired with all-wheel-drive (AWD).

For context, the 2025 Escape ST-Line and Platinum could both be had as a FWD hybrid. Meanwhile, the ST-Line Select and ST-Line Elite still offer the AWD hybrid powertrain, representing no change over 2025 model year availability.

While the 2026 Ford Escape is officially on offer, its run may be brief. Availability will be limited to select U.S. states, as the model isn’t being built to meet California-compliant emissions standards, meaning it won’t be sold in California, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Oregon, and Washington and all CARB states.

In addition, the facility that handles its assembly – the Ford Louisville Assembly plant – will be shut down for retooling. That means production of the Escape and its corporate cousin, the Lincoln Corsair, will almost certainly conclude before the plant receives upfitting for the future assembly of electric vehicles. This will involve three building projects expected to add 52,000 square feet to the facility, along with new dock positions and the construction of an electric vehicle charging station.

Obviously, that points to EV production, although The Blue Oval has yet to confirm what models will begin rolling off the assembly line once Louisville resumes operations. One such model could be the first all-electric version of the Ford Ranger, which is expected to launch in 2027.