How To Build Your Final Ford Escape

The Ford Escape represented a bold gambit when it was first introduced in 2001, eschewing traditional body-on-frame construction style for a new crossover approach that offers a more comfortable, efficient driving experience. It was a timely move on Ford’s part, with these new crossover models quickly becoming the norm in the SUV segment. The Escape represented one of the more popular takes on the compact crossover formula, with annual sales topping 300,000 between 2014 and 2017.

Increased competition and tightening emissions standards have seen the Escape lose a little ground in recent years. While the 2020 introduction of a new hybrid model has buoyed sales, the Escape is now leaving the lineup to make way for a new wave of EV options and the return of an old favorite. The Bronco Sport, the unibody counterpart to the brand’s body-on-frame Bronco SUV, has proven to be more popular than the Escape. Ford is also retooling the Escape’s Louisville, Kentucky assembly plant to produce an exciting new midsize EV pickup.

It’s a bittersweet moment, and the end of an era for a compact crossover that’s been a part of so many automotive memories throughout the years. As the final 2026 Ford Escape hits the lot here at Jim Ellis Ford, we thought it would be a good time to take one last lap in the crossover that started it all, and learn just how easy it is to build a bespoke model that caters to your own driving needs.

Pick Your Powertrian

The Ford Escape has seen many engines come and go over its quarter-century run. While the original model featured naturally aspirated four- and six-cylinder options, the Escape has shown an impressive capacity to adapt to the times. Just take the 2026 model, for instance. While the SUV’s base engine has downsized over the years, it’s both more powerful and more efficient than previous standard engines thanks to a bit of forced induction. The current entry-level offering, a 1.5L turbocharged I-3, churns out some 180 hp while still achieving up to 30 MPG combined.

If you’re in the market for a little more power, the Escape’s optional 2.0L I-4 is here to serve. The turbocharged engine is the brawniest of the bunch with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Though it can’t match the efficiency of the I-3, it’s the obvious choice if you’re looking to put in a little hard work, and still earns a respectable 26 MPG combined. The I-4 engine leads the lineup in terms of towing, giving owners the ability to pull a class-leading 3,500 lbs. That type of power is sure to come in handy when the weekend hits, especially if your ideal Saturday includes cruising the lake or towing the camper to a new state park.

Then there is the Escape hybrid. This was the market’s first mass-produced hybrid SUV when it debuted in 2005. The Escape’s electrically assisted powertrain has only improved in recent decades. These days, Ford offers two hybrid options: a standard hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which represents the most efficient option in the 2026 lineup.

Both hybrids use a 2.5L I-4 engine, but the PHEV model’s larger battery allows it to achieve 40 MPG combined. The PHEV’s efficiency is theoretically limitless, as it can travel up to 27 miles on battery power alone. With a little careful planning, drivers who stay close to home could technically skip the gas station altogether. The standard HEV finishes a close second in fuel economy at 39 MPG combined, and even comes with AWD right out of the box.

Trims

The 2026 Escape offers six trim levels to meet a variety of needs, ranging from value to a sporty drive to a luxurious experience, at a generous selection of price points. Let’s take a look at each to see which best fits your needs.

Active

Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD optional

Engine Options: 1.5L EcoBoost

If value tops your list of must-have features in a new crossover SUV, the Escape’s entry-level Active trim is difficult to ignore. The Active includes everything drivers need to get through another busy week, including a number of convenience-enhancing features that most brands typically reserve for higher trims and optional equipment packages. These include a dual-zone automatic climate control that’ll keep everyone at their ideal temperature during those sweltering Georgia summers, not to mention a keyless entry and start feature that’ll give you one less thing to worry about when you’re running late on your morning commute.

The Active’s standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is complemented by a six-speaker sound system and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. The trim’s digital resume is only matched by its utility. Choose the Active with its 1.5L EcoBoost engine, and you’ll enjoy up to 2,000 lbs of maximum towing capacity. All Escape trims feature the Ford Co-Pilot360 package. This generous suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) includes lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, and forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking.

ST-Line

Drivetrain: FWD standard, AWD optional

Engine Options: 1.5L EcoBoost

The ST-Line doesn’t just see the Escape gain some performance-inspired appeal. It also improves the SUV’s utility and off-road resume. An eye-catching set of 18-inch Rock Metallic painted aluminum wheels and a rear spoiler amp up the trim’s curb appeal, while a flat-bottom steering wheel delivers a sporty experience.

The trim also features a set of skid plates for crucial underbody protection when venturing into light off-road terrain, as well as roof rails that enhance the SUV’s cargo-hauling capacity. The roof rails can accommodate a rooftop cargo box or a rooftop tent, turning the 2026 Escape into a ready-made camping rig when equipped with AWD. Like the Active, the ST-Line features the Ford Co-Pilot360 package.

ST-Line Select

Drivetrain: AWD only

Engine Options: 2.5L Hybrid or 2.0L EcoBoost

The ST-Line Select adds some decidedly premium features, but it’s the trim’s engine lineup that really caught our attention this time around. If you’re prioritizing power, the Escape’s 2.0L EcoBoost engine should do the trick, with 250 hp that lets it sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. That’s nearly a 2.0-second improvement on the standard setup, and should go a long way towards upping the fun factor when you hit the highway. Eco-conscious drivers can also opt for the 2.5L hybrid powertrain, which is about as thrifty as they come.

Regardless of which engine you choose, every ST-Line Select is equipped with an AWD system that’s sure to prove useful when encountering slick roads and off-road terrain. The trim’s LED foglights create a safer ride in inclement weather, and the ST-Line Select’s remote starter, heated front seats, and heated steering wheel will make it a little easier to climb into the cabin on a chilly winter morning.

PHEV

Drivetrain: FWD only

Engine Options: 2.5L Plug-In Hybrid

The PHEV doesn’t leave much room for customization with its FWD setup and 2.5L hybrid engine, but it’s the odds-on favorite if you’re looking to reduce both your carbon footprint and refueling costs. The PHEV’s 40 MPG combined and 27 miles of all-electric range are the obvious selling points, but Ford has also packed the eco-friendly trim with a strong slate of comfort and convenience features that could make it the best all-around option for 2026.

From its heated front seats and heated steering wheel to its 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and built-in navigation system, the PHEV delivers a premium experience and real savings at the pump. The trim also offers an enhanced version of Ford’s Co-Pilot360 ADAS package, adding evasive steering assist, rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Platinum

Drivetrain: AWD only

Engine Options: 2.5L Hybrid or 2.0L EcoBoost

While the ST-Line Elite offers a sportier take on a high-end trim, the Platinum represents the Escape’s most luxurious guise. The SUV’s ActiveX synthetic leather upholstery speaks for itself, but the available Space Gray interior is also unique to the premium trim. Drivers will also be able to enjoy a set of rain-sensing front windshield wipers that’ll give them one less thing to worry about during stormy weather, as well as roof-rack side rails that improve the SUV’s cargo-hauling potential. Throw in a universal garage door opener, ten-way heated power driver seat, six-way heated power passenger seat, wireless charging pad, power liftgate, and the largest available 13.2-inch infotainment display, and it’s hard to make an argument against the Escape Platinum from a tech perspective.

The ultimate Escape trim can also be easily upgraded with a full catalog of optional add-ons, including a panoramic sunroof, ten-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, head-up display, and genuine leather upholstery. That said, the Platinum’s most cutting-edge feature would have to be the Active Park Assist system. This feature can automatically steer the Escape into a parking spot, allowing owners to avoid one of the most stressful parts of the driving experience. The fact that Ford introduced this feature on a soon-to-be-discontinued model shows that, despite slowing sales, the Escape is still a well-respected member of the lineup.

ST-Line Elite

Drivetrain: AWD only

Engine Options: 2.5L Hybrid or 2.0L EcoBoost

Though it offers the same powertrains as the ST-Line Select, the ST-Line Elite brings a whole lot of tech and some sporty style to the table. The range-topping trim justifies its higher starting price with a long list of cutting-edge features that are sure to impress in today’s digitally driven world. The trim swaps out its 8.0-inch infotainment display for a 13.2-inch model and adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, allowing owners to customize the dashboard to their liking.

A built-in navigation system, wireless charging pad, and interior ambient lighting system enable the Escape to compete at the high end of the compact crossover segment, as do the trim’s power-adjustable front passenger seat and driver’s seat memory settings. Finally, there’s the ST-Line Elite Premium Technology package, which adds a 360-degree camera system, HD Radio, a head-up display, reverse brake assist, and front parking sensors.

Escape While You Can At Jim Ellis Ford

It may be the end of an automotive icon, but it’s not too late to enjoy Ford’s segment-defining SUV. The compact crossover has been winning hearts and minds for more than 25 years. While it’s sad to see the bestselling SUV ride off into the sunset, the Escape’s legacy will live on for years to come.

Whether you want to get your hands on the last model, enjoy a high-quality pre-owned Escape, or experience the SUV’s thrilling replacement, the Bronco Sport, we are here to help. We stock a full inventory of both new and used Ford models, including the Escape, new hybrid and EV options, SUVs of all shapes and sizes, and America’s most popular pickup, the Ford F-150. Stop by today and learn how Ford’s compact crossover is continuing to raise the bar in the competitive segment.