Commuters and compact family buyers who want great fuel economy without sacrificing space. The PHEV is exceptional for buyers who can charge at home — 37 miles electric range covers most daily commutes on zero gas.
Every available trim — starting price, key features, and who it's for.
| Trim | Starting Price | Key Features & Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| Base | $29,995 | FWD. 1.5L EcoBoost. SYNC 4. Best entry value. |
| Active | $33,990 | Roof rails. Heated steering wheel. Higher ride height. |
| ST-Line | $33,495 | Sport styling. Flat-bottom steering wheel. |
| ST-Line Select | $36,490 | Panoramic roof. B&O audio. Power liftgate. |
| Plug-In Hybrid | $42,860 | 37mi EV range. Best value for commuters who charge at home. |
| Platinum PHEV | $47,300 | Max luxury + 37mi EV. Heated/cooled seats. Wireless charging. |
Every cost, reliability, and buying question answered on dedicated pages.
The most searched questions about the Escape — answered with data.
Average full-coverage insurance for a Ford Escape is $142/month for a 40-year-old driver with a clean record — making it the cheapest Ford crossover to insure. The PHEV trim costs slightly more at approximately $155/month due to its higher MSRP. The Escape's low repair costs and widespread parts availability keep premiums low.
If you can charge at home and drive under 37 miles/day regularly, the PHEV pays for itself in approximately 3-4 years through fuel savings. The $12,865 premium over the base model is significant, but the federal $7,500 EV tax credit (if eligible) brings the effective premium down to about $5,365. For daily commuters, this makes strong financial sense.
The Ford Escape earns above-average reliability ratings since the 2020 model year refresh. Consumer Reports gives the 2020+ Escape above-average scores, a significant improvement from the 2013-2016 generation that had transmission issues. The 1.5L 3-cylinder had some early oil consumption reports (2017-2019) that were addressed by 2020. Buy 2020 or newer for the best reliability.
The Escape is best for couples or small families with one or two children. The cargo space (37.5 cu ft behind rear seats) is competitive for the class, but the rear seats are tight for three adults. If you regularly carry 4 adults, the Explorer or Edge provides more room. The Escape shines for urban and suburban families who prioritize parking ease and fuel economy.
A well-maintained Ford Escape typically lasts 150,000-200,000 miles. The 1.5L EcoBoost requires timely oil changes (every 7,500 miles) and attention to coolant levels (some early 2020 models had coolant consumption issues that Ford addressed). The PHEV battery carries a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
The RAV4 wins on long-term reliability data and cargo space. The Escape wins on fuel economy (conventional), driving dynamics, and technology integration. The RAV4 Hybrid is a stronger powertrain choice than the base Escape, but the Escape PHEV beats the RAV4 Hybrid on electric-only range (37 vs 42 miles for RAV4 Prime). For maximum reliability, choose RAV4. For PHEV value, Escape PHEV or RAV4 Prime are both excellent.