The Ford Escape is reportedly living on borrowed time, set to be discontinued following the 2026 model year and potentially replaced by a new all-electric vehicle on the lines at the Louisville Assembly plant. On top of all that, as Ford Authority recently reported, the 2026 Ford Escape won’t be sold in six U.S. states due to the forthcoming implementation of stricter emission rules, which is something of an inglorious end for the long-running crossover. Regardless, that doesn’t change the fact that this summer marks 25 years since the Ford Escape made its official debut.
Back in the late 1990s, Ford’s then-partner – Mazda – was working on developing a small SUV of its own, which eventually launched as the Tribute. Ford was quite interested in making its own version of such a machine, so some Blue Oval designers and engineers visited Japan to learn more about the prototype, and both sides ultimately agreed to combine their programs. Despite this, the only sheetmetal shared by the original Ford Escape and Tribute was the roof panel, and neither had common parts within an owner’s reach inside the cabin, either. Rather, while a joint engineering team handled the basic architecture of these vehicles, separate teams worked to make each unique in various ways.
“We wanted to keep the Ford a Ford and make the Mazda a Mazda,” said Paul Linden, Escape project management supervisor. “Both vehicles have unique exterior designs. Directionally, the Ford vehicle is a tough truck, while the Mazda is positioned as an elegant sports sedan.”
The Ford Escape was intended to serve those that lived active lifestyles yet also be small enough to navigate urban areas. When it debuted in 2000, the Escape was produced at the Kansas City Assembly plant, alongside the Tribute. However, Escape production moved to the Louisville plant in 2012, where it continues to be built today. The Escape found instant success and became the best-selling small SUV in the U.S. right out of the gate, outselling the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in its first year of production.
Since then, the Ford Escape has become the world’s first hybrid SUV (a model that launched in 2005), the first hybrid offered by an America-based automaker, and it has won North American Truck of the Year honors, to boot. The Escape has continued to sell well ever since, ranking second only to the F-Series as recently as 2019, and Ford has sold a grand total of 4.5 million units of that particular model since it debuted a quarter-century ago.
A rather bold claim, indeed.
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To celebrate, Ford SHOULD have introduced a new generation.
We had a very reliable 2018 Titanium, and now my wife likes her replacement 2025 Platinum Hybrid.
Surprised Ford doesn't put in more advertising into a platform which has proven to have its place in the very competitive SUV market.
I bought a used 2012 Escape, 36,000 miles, 4cyl & Front Wheel Drive. One of the best vehicles I ever had. I traded it Oct. 2023 for a 2023 Maverick with 5,000 miles on it.
Why stop such a great product, again? Ford stopped the Fusion sedan, which also won MT COTY award, and came with different power trains, including a basic I4, a V6, and two hybrids (the Energi was a plug-in hybrid that competed against the Chevy Volt).
Ford, keep the Escape, add a plug-in hybrid, and bring back tbe Fusion!
Ford is charging ahead with an EV replacement, even though Trump is backing up on the mandates and rebates. EV demand is declining and Ford has never made money on them.
With the recent tax bill that just passed Congress which eliminated incentives on EV's, just doesn't make sense to cancel a product that offers gas, hybrid, and plug-in variants.
I have had my yellow Ford escape which was built in 2001 for over 20 years now and I am still every bit as much in love with my car as I was when I first saw it. It is the most reliable car I've ever owned. I've had a BMW 535 before that and I swear it escape is faster and handles better. And it is of course much more practical and it takes me across a mountain pass to go skiing many many times during every winter. I have 180,000 mi on mine and I want to keep this car forever.
I have a 2018 Escape. After leading for 3 years, I purchased. I love the Escape and am bummed they will be discontinued. I am also in one of the 6 states with stricter emissions. I would have loved to get a hybrid.
I have owned 2 2005 XLTs, a 2006 XLT, a 2017 Titanium that my son still drives, and recently purchased my wife a 2025 PHEV. All have been exceptional vehicles. We have had my wife's for 3 months and have onlyfilled the gas tank once. The trip computer reads 99.9 mpg.
Stop with the EV’s. Most of the public aren’t interested in them. Let’s get rid of another good seller for something that won’t sell. Farley hast to go or ford will be !