By 2000, Ford had plenty of experience with SUVs, but the Escape that debuted as a 2001 model was Ford’s first crossover. Four years later, in 2005, the Escape became the first Ford model with a hybrid drivetrain and was also the industry’s first hybrid crossover. While the Hybrid model went away in 2012, the all-new 2020 Escape saw the reintroduction of the Hybrid.

All Escape models were updated in 2023 with loads of new tech, safety features, and a new set of trim levels, and the Hybrid models remain unchanged for 2025.

The 2025 Ford Escape Hybrid starts from $34,680 and can be had in four different trim levels, including ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. Three of the four trim levels—ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite—are available with all-wheel drive.

Performance

The Escape Hybrid starts with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four, which, when combined with the hybrid system's electric motor, produces 192 total system horsepower. No matter whether you choose a front- or all-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid, fuel mileage is the same, with 42 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway, for a combined figure of 39.

The Escape has four-wheel independent suspension featuring struts up front and a multi-link arrangement in the rear. Sport tuning of the suspension is available on the ST-Line model and standard on the ST-Line Select and Elite models.

Exterior

While the platform-sharing Bronco Sport is all right angles and boxy, this fourth-generation Escape design moves in the opposite direction and displays its most curvaceous body to date. It has both a wider track and longer length than the previous generation and yet weighs, on average, about 200 pounds less. The leaned-back headlights and hexagonal grille below the front’s leading edge all represent a sport rather than sport utility aesthetic.

The ST-Line Elite takes things a step further with an LED light bar across the upper edge of the grille that virtually connects the LED daytime running lights of the LED headlight clusters. All models sport alloy wheels, starting with 17-inch wheels on the ST-Line and growing to 18 inches on the rest of the model line except the Platinum and ST-Line Elite, each of which rides on its own version of 19-inch wheels with machined-finish spokes against a black background.

Other features vary by trim level, with black window surrounds on the ST-Line models and a chrome surround on the Platinum model. A Panoramic Vista Roof lets the sun shine above both the first and second rows and is available on all trim levels.

Interior

The interior of Hybrid Escape models is spacious for the class, and your rear passengers can stretch out with 38.9 inches of legroom. The shoulder room is also generous, with 57 inches in the front and 56 inches in the rear. Buyers of the Escape Hybrid will also have plenty of space in the rear hatch with 34.4 cubic feet with all seats up and 60.8 with the rear seats folded down.

Up front, a rotary shift dial is easy to use and allows open access to the cup holders and storage space, as well as an available wireless charging pad at the front of the center console.

Technology

All models feature Ford’s latest SYNC 4 operating system for the infotainment system. This is the most convenient, fast, and intuitive menu arrangement, and it is wirelessly compatible with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ if you prefer or are used to those interfaces. SYNC 4 also includes the Google Alexa voice recognition system, which allows you to give casually spoken commands that will be understood for a variety of vehicle functions.

All occupants can stay connected with the standard Fordpass® Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot, and USB ports can keep phones charged. Platinum and ST-Line Elite models also provide a wireless charging pad for phones with the Qi wireless charging protocol, which is part of most modern phones.

Dual-zone climate control is standard across the model line. Starting with the ST-Line Select, the Escape can be remotely started so the system can bring the cabin to your desired temperature before you get to the car. The standard audio system consists of six speakers. No less than Bang & Olufsen supplies the premium audio system with ten speakers, including a subwoofer. This system is available on all models except the ST-Line.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Escape offers several technologies for general safety and driving over long distances. All models come standard with Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Other features available on various models include Adaptive Cruise Control to control speed even in traffic and the Lane Keeping System, which employs a combination of alerts and active measures to avoid accidental lane departures and keep the vehicle centered within the lane. Traction control, ABS, tire-pressure monitoring system, rearview camera, and full front and side airbags are standard on every Escape.

The 2025 Escape Hybrid models have not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the effectively identical 2024 model earned an overall 5-star rating for its ability to protect drivers and passengers in its crash tests and for its onboard safety technology. For the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the Escape received a rating of “Good”—the highest rating—on Front Small Overlap, Front Moderate Overlap, and Original Side impact tests.