Plug-in hybrid SUVs and crossovers are far more helpful than most individuals give them credit score for. Whereas EVs are the flashy new factor, PHEVs repair vary anxiousness with out making you go absolutely electrical.
The U.S. doesn’t have tons of PHEV choices but, however the ones that exist are strong, sensible, and cozy for every day driving. They offer you a pleasant stability of fuel and electrical energy with none massive compromises.
For lengthy journeys or commuting, one American-made PHEV crossover actually stands out. It’s not the latest possibility round, however its environment friendly drivetrain, strong vary, and lengthy record of ordinary options make it arduous to beat.
To be able to provide the most recent and correct data potential, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Ford’s web sites and different authoritative sources, together with the EPA, the IIHS, J.D. Energy, and the NHTSA.
The Ford Escape PHEV Handles Lengthy Journeys Like a Champ
The EPA Says You’ll Get 560 Miles Out of This SUV
The Ford Escape PHEV hits a candy spot between effectivity and vary, making it a strong choose if you happen to’re not able to stress about every day EV vary limits. It’s the type of SUV that permits you to get pleasure from electrical driving with out consistently looking for a charger.
The EPA rates the 2025 mannequin at 101 MPGe, or 33 kWh per 100 miles on electrical energy, which supplies you about 37 miles earlier than the battery runs out. Flip over to fuel, and the 12-gallon tank plus 40 MPG mixed means you’ll be able to cruise roughly 560 miles earlier than refueling.
For context, most fashionable EVs on this class cowl 250–300 miles per cost and wish round half-hour to go from 20 to 80 p.c on a DC quick charger. That further vary and adaptability make the Escape PHEV a extra handy possibility for longer journeys or on a regular basis driving.
2025 Ford Escape PHEV FWD EPA Estimates
|
Gas Economic system (Electrical + Gasoline) |
101 MPGe/33 kWh/100 Miles |
|---|---|
|
Gas Economic system |
40 MPG |
|
Battery |
14.4 kWh |
|
Vary |
560 Miles (37 EV Miles) |
|
5-12 months Gas Financial savings |
$4,000 |
|
Annual Gas Value |
$900 |
|
Value to Drive 25 Miles (Electrical/Gasoline) |
$1.24/$1.96 |
|
Value to Fill the Tank |
$38 |
The EPA additionally estimates you’ll save about $4,000 on gas over 5 years whereas spending roughly $900 on electrical energy and fuel. Driving 25 miles prices round $1.24 on electrical energy and $1.96 if you happen to keep on with fuel, and filling the tank runs about $38.
Recharging the 14.4 kWh battery will set you again simply $2.30 on common, primarily based on nationwide electrical energy costs. It’s not fairly as low-cost as a totally electrical SUV, however having fuel to fall again on greater than makes up for it.
The Escape PHEV’s Worth Makes It Arduous to Ignore
The 2026 Ford Escape PHEV principally sits on the high of the lineup, starting at $35,400. Certain, that’s a bit steep in comparison with another SUVs in its class, however for a PHEV, it’s fairly aggressive—and the worth actually comes right down to what you get to your cash.
Inside, it’s loaded with options: dual-zone local weather management, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated entrance seats, a heated multifunction steering wheel, and a digital rearview digicam. You additionally get Ford’s 13.2-inch touchscreen with Sync 4.0, although the built-in navigation is simply free for the primary 12 months.
On the surface, the Escape PHEV rolls on 18-inch machine-faced alloy wheels, sports activities an digital tailgate, privateness glass, black roof rails, and heated door mirrors. Customary paint choices embody Vapor Blue, Carbonized Grey, Metallic, Agate Black, and Area Silver, whereas Star White Metallic Tri-Coat and Speedy Purple Metallic can be found for $995 and $495, respectively.
Purposeful, Snug, and Stuffed with Devices
In order for you a fancier inside, the $4,530 Premium Package deal has you coated. It provides further driver and passenger seat changes, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker audio system, a head-up show with a 12.3-inch digital cluster, ActiveX upholstery, and a wi-fi telephone charger.
Towing isn’t customary—you’ll want the $495 Class II trailer tow package deal for that. Different choices embody the $1,595 Panoramic Vista roof with digital shade, plus a mixture of exterior and safety upgrades. Security is strong from the beginning, with adaptive cruise, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree split-view digicam, whereas the Premium Package deal provides entrance sensors, a fringe alarm, and reverse brake help.
Pricing begins decrease because of a $2,000 non permanent low cost, however don’t overlook the $1,495 vacation spot charge and $695 acquisition charge, which brings the bottom earlier than choices to $34,895.
210 Horses Underneath the Hood
The 2026 Ford Escape PHEV pairs a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor that additionally acts because the transmission by a direct-drive eCVT. The fuel engine alone produces 163 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque, however with the electrical motor kicking in, the full output jumps to 210 horsepower.
2026 Ford Escape PHEV FWD Efficiency Specs
|
Powertrain |
2.5-Liter 4-Cylinder and One Everlasting-Magnet Motor |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
210 HP |
|
Torque |
155 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
eCVT |
|
Driveline |
Entrance-Wheel Drive |
|
0–60 MPH |
7.7 Seconds |
|
High Pace |
127 MPH |
|
Towing Capability |
1,500 LBS |
Efficiency-wise, the Escape PHEV isn’t precisely a velocity demon. It hits 0-60 MPH in 7.7 seconds, tops out at 127 MPH, and might tow simply 1,500 kilos, which is likely to be limiting for tenting or hauling gear.
Underneath the hood, the two.5-liter engine really comes from Mazda and dates again to 2008, however it’s obtained a strong reliability file. Mazda’s L-engine is an inline-four with an aluminum block, twin overhead cams, and variable valve timing, hanging a pleasant stability between sturdiness, effectivity, and energy.
For the fourth-generation Escape PHEV, Ford reworked the engine to play properly with the hybrid system. They upgraded the cylinder head, consumption, and cooling, added friction-reducing tweaks, switched to an Atkinson cycle for higher gas financial system, refined the throttle and exhaust programs, and bolstered parts to deal with all of the start-stop hybrid motion.
The Escape PHEV Deserves Extra Credit score
J.D. Power gives the 2025 Escape PHEV an total rating of 82/100, with sturdy marks for high quality and reliability at 85, resale worth at 85, and a driving expertise rating of 76.
The NHTSA lists no remembers for the PHEV mannequin, although the non-hybrid Escape does have a difficulty with a misaligned cruise management radar.
Execs
- Enticing exterior styling
- Bodily controls nonetheless make life straightforward
- Clean, comfy experience
Cons
- Bland eCVT system
- Dealing with feels uninspired
- An excessive amount of arduous plastic inside
The 2025 Escape PHEV additionally earns a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, making it a strong choose for long-distance journeys. It will get 4 stars for frontal and rollover safety, 5 stars for facet crashes, and mostly “good” ratings in IIHS crash tests.
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