Which Trim Level of the 2026 Ford Escape Should You Buy?

Key Points

• The 2026 Ford Escape offers six trim levels: Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, Platinum and Plug-in Hybrid.
• Pricing starts at $31,845 (all prices include $1,495 destination charge).
• Powertrain choices include two turbocharged gas engines, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.

One of the original compact SUVs, the Ford Escape was once the bestselling vehicle in its class. Today, it’s outsold by a handful of competitors but remains a strong contributor to Ford’s bottom line. With turbocharged, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains; front- or all-wheel drive; and six trim levels all clustered between $31,845 and $38,705 (including the $1,495 destination charge), which 2026 Ford Escape is right for you?

Related: 2023 Ford Escape Review: Stepping On the Gas (and Some Rakes)

Powertrains Specs and MPG

Ford offers two turbocharged gas engines in the Escape, as well as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. A 180-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine produces 199 pounds-feet of torque. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available for $1,400. Fuel economy rings in at an EPA-rated 27/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD and 26/32/28 mpg with AWD. The three-cylinder setup offers a 2,000-pound towing capacity.

The larger turbocharged engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder generating 250 hp and 280 pounds-feet. It is also teamed with an eight-speed automatic but is only available with AWD. The 2.0-liter returns 23/31/26 mpg and bumps the Escape’s towing capacity to 3,500 pounds with the available towing package.

In those trim levels that offer the turbo four-cylinder as an option, a hybrid powertrain is the standard setup. It pairs a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor for 192 total hp. A continuously variable automatic transmission and AWD are standard on the hybrid Escape, which is rated at 42/36/39 mpg. Buyers needing to tow should note that the hybrid and plug-in hybrid can only tug a maximum of 1,500 pounds.

The plug-in hybrid Escape uses the same gas engine but a stronger electric motor to generate a combined 210 hp. A CVT is standard here, as well, but the PHEV is only available with FWD. It has an electric-only range of up to 27 miles and returns 40 mpg once the battery is depleted.

Trim Levels

The 2026 Ford Escape offers six trim levels:

• Active: $31,845
• ST-Line: $32,690
• ST-Line Select: $35,385
• ST-Line Elite: $38,705
• Platinum: $37,710
• Plug-In Hybrid: $36,895

Active

Only available with the turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, the Active comes with standard FWD but can be had with AWD. It rides on 17-inch wheels and features keyless entry and starting, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, six speakers, and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Ford’s Co-Pilot360 safety suite is standard on every 2026 Escape. It includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure steering assist, blind spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is optional and adds adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, emergency steering assist, oncoming traffic detection for left turns and rear parking sensors.

ST-Line

ST-badged Escapes all include a more aggressive grille and a larger roof spoiler on the outside, as well as a flat-bottom steering wheel, vinyl-trimmed seats and red accent stitching inside. The base ST-Line also gets 18-inch wheels and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Like the Active, the ST-Line is only available with the turbocharged three-cylinder but offers a choice of FWD or AWD.

ST-Line Select

AWD is standard in the ST-Line Select, which offers a choice between the hybrid powertrain or the powerful 2.0-liter turbo. In addition to the basic ST equipment, it also gets LED foglights, heated side mirrors, a power liftgate and remote start. Inside, it adds heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. A 360-degree parking camera is available on the ST-Line Select and pricier trim levels.

ST-Line Elite

The ST-Line Elite offers the same powertrain options as the Select, but it gets a monochromatic exterior look thanks to body-color rocker-panel trim (instead of the black on lower trim levels), as well as an upgraded lighting signature with an LED bar connecting the headlights. It also adds 19-inch wheels, power-adjustable front seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13.2-inch touchscreen with navigation and wireless phone charging. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is also standard on the ST-Line Elite, and front parking sensors are available on the Elite, Platinum and PHEV.

Platinum

The Platinum includes all of the ST-Line Elite’s content in a slightly different package. It gets a different grille and exterior trim, as well as synthetic leather upholstery instead of the ST-Line’s cloth and vinyl, but it’s otherwise the same as the Elite.

Plug-In Hybrid

While the PHEV Escape is its own single model, an extensive options list allows buyers to build it out with most any features they want from the other trim levels. Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, a power liftgate, remote start, a power-adjustable driver’s seat (but a manual passenger chair), heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and cloth upholstery with vinyl trim. The PHEV gets the larger infotainment touchscreen but not the digital instrument cluster, although the latter is available as an option. It does, however, include Co-Pilot360 Assist+.

Read More About the Ford Escape:

• Is the 2023 Ford Escape a Good SUV? 5 Pros and 4 Cons
• What’s the Best Compact SUV of 2023?
• Which Hybrid Vehicles Have All-Wheel Drive?
• What Are the Most Fuel-Efficient Cars?
• 2025 Cars.com Affordability Report: Best Value New Cars

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