2026 Ford Escape Trim Levels Comparison

The entry-level 2026 Escape is practical, not stripped down. Standard features include:

• Ford's turbocharged 1.5L EcoBoost engine
• Eight-speed automatic transmission
• Front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available
• 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 4
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring
• 17-inch alloy wheels

For shoppers who want a competent, no-fuss compact SUV at a straightforward price, the Active does the job. Step up to ST-Line, and you're choosing a different personality rather than just more equipment.

The ST-Line takes a different direction entirely. Where the Active goes up and out, the ST-Line goes low and sharp. This trim is aimed at drivers who want a sportier driving experience and a more aggressive exterior presence without jumping to a full performance model.

What the ST-Line adds over base:

• Sport-tuned suspension for more responsive handling
• Lower ride height, with an emphasis on cornering feel and road contact
• 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, a meaningful visual and handling upgrade
• Sport body styling with blacked-out trim, ST-Line badging, and a more aggressive front fascia
• Choice of FWD or AWD, giving you powertrain flexibility the Active doesn't offer

The ST-Line is the Escape for drivers who care about how the vehicle feels on a curving two-lane road and how it looks in the parking lot.

The ST-Line Select keeps the sporty character of the base ST-Line and adds the comfort features that make a real difference in daily use.

What the ST-Line Select adds:

• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Hands-free power liftgate
• Upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system (on select packages)
• Additional driver-assist and comfort content

For many shoppers, the ST-Line Select is the trim that checks every box. In an Ohio winter, heated seats go from a luxury to a necessity fast.

The ST-Line Elite pushes the Escape further into premium territory while keeping the sportier aesthetic of the ST-Line family.

Key additions at this trim:

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Enhanced driver-assist technology
• Premium interior materials and upgraded upholstery
• Additional technology and connectivity options

This is the trim for shoppers who want most of what the Platinum offers, but prefer the ST-Line's sporty look over the Platinum's more traditional luxury styling.

The Escape Plug-In Hybrid pairs a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for the most efficient Escape in the lineup, delivering up to 101 combined MPGe and around 37 miles of gas-free electric driving on a full charge.

What makes the PHEV different:

• Plug-in hybrid powertrain rated up to 101 combined MPGe
• Roughly 37 miles of all-electric range before the gas engine engages
• 13.2-inch center touchscreen
• Heated seats and heated steering wheel included
• Adaptive cruise control

One thing worth knowing: unlike the gas Escape trims, the PHEV is front-wheel drive only, so it isn't the pick if all-wheel drive is a must-have for your winters. For drivers focused purely on fuel savings, though, it's the most efficient Escape Ford builds.

The Platinum sits at the top of the lineup. It's the trim you choose when you want everything Ford has to offer in the Escape:

• Premium leather seating
• The most comprehensive driver-assist suite in the lineup
• A refined interior finish that competes with SUVs at significantly higher price points

If you're coming from a luxury compact SUV and considering the Escape, start here.