The 2026 Ford Escape represents the sixth – and final – model year of the crossover’s fourth generation, for which it receives minor changes and updates consistent with a model year carry-over.
Quick Facts
| Assembly Location | Ford Louisville Assembly plant, Kentucky, USA |
| Body Style | Compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV) |
| Layout | Front-engined, transverse |
| Engines | 1.5L EcoBoost I3, 2.0 EcoBoost I4, 2.5L I4 Hybrid, 2.5L I4 PHEV |
| Transmissions | 8-speed automatic, PowerSplit eCVT |
| Drive Wheels | FWD, AWD |
| Availability | Global |
| Generational year | Sixth year of fourth-generation model |
| Changes summary | Minor changes |
| Predecessor | 2025 Ford Escape |
| Successor | Upcoming EV compact crossover |
Model Line
The 2026 Ford Escape continues to be offered as a compact crossover utility vehicle with either front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) across the following trim levels:
- Active
- ST-Line
- ST-Line
- ST-Line Select
- ST-Line Elite
- Platinum
- PHEV
Changes, Updates, New Features
The 2026 Ford Escape receives a handful of minor changes and updates, headlined by the deletion of all FWD hybrid configurations, as well as the deletion of the 50-state emissions system.
- See the complete list of 2026 Ford Escape changes, updates, and new features
Powertrain
The 2026 Ford Escape offers a choice of the following three powertrains:
- Turbocharged Ford 1.5L I3 EcoBoost engine, which provides 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque and is offered on the Escape Base, Active and ST-Line trims
- Turbocharged Ford 2.0L I4 EcoBoost engine, which delivers 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and is optional on the ST-Line and standard on the ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite and Platinum trims
- Hybrid 2.5L I4, rated at 192 total system horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque
- PHEV 2.5L I4, rated at 210 total horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque, offered exclusively on the PHEV trim
| Engine | Fuel | Aspiration | Transmission | Drivetrain | Horsepower @ RPM | Torque @ RPM | Axle Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L EcoBoost I3 | Gasoline 93 Octane | Turbocharged | 8-speed automatic | FWD | 180 @ 6000 | 199 @ 3000 | 3.52:1 |
| 1.5L EcoBoost I3 | Gasoline 93 Octane | Turbocharged | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 180 @ 6000 | 199 @ 3000 | 3.81:1 |
| 2.0L EcoBoost I4 | Gasoline 93 Octane | Turbocharged | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 250 @ 5500 | 280 @ 3000 | 3.47:1 |
| 2.5L Hybrid I4 | Gasoline 93 Octane | Turbocharged | eCVT | FWD | 163 @ 6250, 192 combined | 155 @ 4500 | 2.91:1 |
| 2.5L Hybrid I4 | Gasoline 93 Octane | Turbocharged | eCVT | AWD | 163 @ 6250, 192 combined | 155 @ 4500 | 2.91:1 |
| 2.5L PHEV I4 | Gasoline 93 Octane | Turbocharged | eCVT | FWD | 163 @ 4500, 210 combined | 155 @ 4500 | 2.91:1 |
Towing
The 2026 Ford Escape is capable of towing a maximum of 3,500 pounds, which can only be achieved with the 2.0L EcoBoost I4 engine and optional Class II towing package.
| Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | Active | ST-Line | ST-Line Select | ST-Line Elite | Platinum | PHEV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L EcoBoost I3 | FWD | 8-speed automatic | S | A | - | - | - | - |
| 1.5L EcoBoost I3 | AWD | 8-speed automatic | S | A | - | - | - | - |
| 2.0L EcoBoost I4 | AWD | 8-speed automatic | - | - | A | A | A | - |
| 2.5L Hybrid | FWD | eCVT automatic | - | A | A | A | A | - |
| 2.5L Hybrid | AWD | eCVT automatic | - | A | A | A | A | - |
| 2.5L PHEV | FWD | eCVT automatic | - | - | - | - | - | A |
Fuel Economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L EcoBoost I3 | 8-speed automatic | FWD | 27 | 34 | 30 |
| 1.5L EcoBoost I3 | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 26 | 32 | 28 |
| 2.0L EcoBoost I4 | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 23 | 31 | 26 |
| 2.5L Hybrid I4 | eCVT | FWD | 42 | 36 | 39 |
| 2.5L Hybrid I4 | eCVT | AWD | 42 | 36 | 39 |
| 2.5L PHEV I4 | eCVT | FWD | N/A | N/A | 101 |
Production
The 2026 Ford Escape continues to be assembled at the Ford Louisville Assembly plant in Kentucky.
Platform
The 2026 Ford Escape continues to ride on the Ford C2 platform shared with various Ford and Lincoln models.
Pricing
2026 Ford Escape pricing coming soon.
Seating
The 2026 Ford Escape is offered in a single seating configuration, seating a maximum of five in a 2-3 format, which features two front bucket seats (seating two) and a second-row bench seat (seating three).
Beyond 2026
The 2026 Ford Escape marks the crossover’s final model year. The Louisville Assembly plant, where the Escape is produced, recently received a hefty investment for retooling the facility for EV production. With $2 billion allocated toward the project, the path forward seems clear, and it doesn’t include the 2027 Escape, at least not in its current internal combustion engine (ICE) form.
Sales
See running Ford Escape sales numbers for global markets
Discussion
Discuss the 2026 Ford Escape in our Ford forum.
Coming soon.
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