2026 Ford Escape Hybrid: The Future of Eco-Friendly SUVs is Here! – Ford Escape Hybrid manufacture will continue for the 2026 model year. As previously announced, the Escape’s production will end in 2026. The 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid will be available with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
Here are some essential details about the 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid:
Last model year:
The Ford Escape will be produced until the 2026 model year, however it is unknown whether production will continue after that year.
Powertrain options:
The 2026 Escape Hybrid will be available with both normal and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Features:
The 2026 Escape Hybrid will most likely integrate Ford Co-Pilot360 help+, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering help, and predictive speed assist.
Pricing:
The beginning price of the 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid will vary according to model and powertrain options.
Specifications:
The 2026 Escape Hybrid is projected to offer comparable specs to the 2025 model, including excellent fuel economy, particularly with the standard hybrid powertrain.
Overview Escape Hybrid
Not every driver is ready to switch to an electric vehicle, but a hybrid like the 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid can help ease the move. The hybrid Escape is available as a normal hybrid or a PHEV (plug-in hybrid), with the latter boasting an EPA-estimated range of up to 37 miles on electric power alone. Otherwise, it is almost identical to the standard ICE Escape, which we review separately.
The Hybrid Escape, like the regular model, has a practical and familiar, albeit relatively low-end cabin. The Escape Hybrid’s value quotient is aided by a plethora of tech features, but we’d recommend considering rivals such as the Honda CR-V Hybrid, which offers a higher level of interior appointments and quality, or the Kia Sportage Hybrid, which brings fully modern exterior styling to the hybrid compact crossover segment.
2026 Ford Escape Hybrid Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
While the Escape Hybrid’s cabin is attractively designed and spacious for both front and back passengers, it contains a number of low-cost plastic panels, particularly those on the doors and lower center console. Cloth-and-vinyl seat upholstery is standard, with leather available on the Platinum, ST-Line Elite, and PHEV trims.
Behind the back seat of 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid is a spacious cargo box that can accommodate up to eight carry-on baggage, matching its crosstown competition, the Chevrolet Equinox. We were able to fit 21 cases in the Escape with the rear seats folded, but the Equinox could hold two more.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Standard features of 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid include an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment interface, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. A larger 13.2-inch display with in-dash navigation is available on the base ST-Line and mid-range ST-Line Select, but is standard on all other trim levels. The 12.3-inch digital gauge display is optional. A six-speaker stereo is standard, but Bang & Olufsen offers a 10-speaker system as an alternative.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automated emergency braking are all standard driver aid features. If you want adaptive cruise control or self-parking, you’ll need to purchase them as options or upgrade to a higher model level. For additional information on the Escape Hybrid’s crash test results, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. The key safety elements are:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control
2026 Ford Escape Hybrid Engine and Performance
To compete with the Honda CR-V hybrid and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid is available with two electrified powertrain options. The typical configuration has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, totaling 192 horsepower. Front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission are standard; all-wheel drive is optional.
There is also an optional plug-in hybrid powertrain that generates 210 horsepower thanks to a more powerful electric motor. This model is exclusively available with front-wheel drive. Both models’ handling is decent but forgettable, and driving fanatics will not find it rewarding on a tight road. Buyers looking for a comfy ride for commuting will be happy.
0–60-MPH Times
The Escape Hybrid’s base powertrain took 7.7 seconds to reach 60 mph, trailing Honda and Toyota’s models. The plug-in hybrid reached 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is much slower than the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, which did so in 5.6 seconds using its 302-hp powertrain.
2026 Ford Escape Hybrid Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The plug-in hybrid variant has an 11.2-kWh battery pack that can power the vehicle for 37 miles on electricity alone, according to the EPA estimates. On 75-mph highway fuel-economy testing, the plug-in hybrid model drove 30 miles on electricity before depleting its battery.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Escape Hybrid, with front- or all-wheel drive and the base powertrain, is rated at 42 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The plug-in hybrid variant achieves fuel economy estimates of up to 44 mpg city. Visit the EPA website to learn more about the Escape Hybrid’s fuel economy.
2026 Ford Escape Hybrid Pricing: Which One to Buy?
The price of the 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid ranges from $33,985 to $39,605, depending on model and options.
- ST-Line: $33,985
- ST-Line Select: $35,685
- Platinum: $37,110
- PHEV: $38,895
- ST-Line Elite: $39,605
The mid-range ST-Line Select trim provides a lot of value for a modest premium. It comes standard with significantly more equipment than the base ST-Line, including dual-zone automatic temperature control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, heated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, SiriusXM satellite radio, and more.
