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. Starting at $40,590, the Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) model remains unchanged for 2025.

Performance

The Plug-In Hybrid model uses a 2.5-liter engine and hybrid system but has a much larger 14.4-kWh battery and 3.5-kW onboard charger, producing a combined 210 horsepower. This will give you an estimated 37 miles of EV-only driving. If you can plug in at home and your commute or daily travel is less than that amount, it can operate as an emission-free EV. Overnight charging on a regular 120V household outlet takes about 10.5 hours. When you run out of EV miles, the vehicle seamlessly transitions to hybrid operation, where it is rated at 40 combined mpg. The Plug-In Hybrid is exclusively front-wheel drive, and like the normal hybrid, uses a CVT as a transmission.

Drivers can choose between four different driving modes: Auto EV mode where the vehicle automatically chooses when to utilize the gas engine or electric motor; EV Now mode that uses just the electric motor to operate; EV Later mode that allows you to drive using just the gasoline engine; EV Charge mode that allows the vehicle to charge the electric motor while driving so that you can use the electric motor later.

As a Plug-In Hybrid, the Escape can be charged just like a regular all-electric car. Using a Level 1 charger, which is a normal 110-volt wall outlet, the Escape PHEV will take roughly 10-11 hours to charge the battery to full. However, when you use a 240-volt Level 2 charger, the Escape will charge to 100% in just 3.5 hours.

The Escape has four-wheel independent suspension featuring struts up front and a multi-link arrangement in the rear.

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 Plug-In Hybrid model differentiates itself from all other trim levels by having unique 18-inch machine-face aluminum wheels. An available Panoramic Vista Roof lets the sunshine in above both the first and second rows.

Interior

The interior of the Plug-In Hybrid Escape model is spacious for the class, and your rear passengers can stretch out with 38.9 inches. The shoulder room is also generous, with 57 inches in the front and 56 inches in the rear. 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.

Buyers of the Escape Plug-In Hybrid 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.

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. There is also an optional wireless charging pad for phones with the Qi wireless charging protocol, which is part of most modern phones.

Dual-zone climate control is standard. The Escape PHEV 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. 

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Escape offers several technologies for general safety and driving long distances. All models come standard with Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking and Advancetrac with Roll Stability Control. Other features 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.

The 2025 Escape PHEV has 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 crash tests and for its onboard safety technology. For the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the Escape received a “Good” rating—the highest rating—on the Front Small Overlap, Front Moderate Overlap, and Original Side impact tests.