Sponsored

2026 Ford Escape

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.

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.

2026 Ford Escape Towing Capacity
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.

Ford Escape Photos
Click to expand
Click to contract

Coming soon.

Alexandra is a Colorado-based journalist with a passion for all things involving horsepower, be it automotive or equestrian.

Sponsored