The 2025 Escape is a five-passenger compact crossover that Ford presents in five trim packages: Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum. The Active and ST-Line are equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 lb.-ft. of torque. The ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum get upgraded to a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder making 250 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. Both powerplants unite with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the Active and ST-Line come with a standard front-wheel drivetrain (FWD), they’re eligible for all-wheel drive (AWD), which is standard in the ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum.
The maximum towing capacity across the board is 3,500 pounds in conjunction with the optional Class II Trailer Tow Package. According to the EPA’s fuel economy estimates, ’25 Escapes with the combination of the 1.5-liter engine and FWD return 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. This same engine with AWD achieves 26 mpg city/32 mpg highway. The trims with the 2.0-liter engine will give you 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway.
Each 2025 Escape trim comes with an assortment of standard features designed for comfort, convenience, and overall on-road enjoyment. The Active includes cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, Intelligent Access (proximity keyless entry), push-button start, an 8-inch LCD gauge cluster, selectable drive modes, multiple smart-charging USB ports, an overhead console sunglasses holder, manually adjustable front seats, automatic signature LED headlights, configurable daytime running lights, dual chrome exhaust tips, and rear privacy glass.
The ST-Line adds a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, combination cloth-and-vinyl sport contour front seats (also with red stitching), unique exterior badges, roof-rack side rails, and a rear skid plate. The ST-Line Select features heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power liftgate, remote start, LED fog lights, and heated side mirrors. The ST-Line Elite is improved with wireless phone charging, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, position memory (for the driver’s seat and side mirrors), a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a universal garage door opener, and an eye-catching front LED light bar. The Platinum is similarly equipped, but it lacks the sportier ST-Line design elements. It also gains ActiveX upholstery with mini perforation for a more refined interior quality.
Many of those high-end features can be ordered in the lower trims through the ‘25 Escape’s myriad upgrade packages. Other popular options include roof-rail crossbars, a head-up display, and the Panoramic Vista Roof with a power sunshade.
Ford has made safety a priority in the 2025 Escape, as every trim has a range of active safety features installed via the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite. The standard list includes forward collision warning, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, a lane-keeping system (includes lane-keeping assist, lane-keeping alert, and driver alert), a blind-spot information system with rear cross-traffic braking, and automatic high beams.
The ST-Line Elite and Platinum move up to Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which adds rear parking sensors, evasive steering assist, intersection assist, and adaptive cruise control (with stop-and-go, lane centering, and predictive speed assist). This upgrade is an option for the lower trims, and the ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum can be upgraded with reverse brake assist.
The 2025 Escape keeps its occupants connected and entertained with the advanced SYNC 4 infotainment system. In the Active, ST-Line, and ST-Line Select, this includes an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. The ST-Line Elite and Platinum are sweetened with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and connected navigation, which are available for the lower trims. While all trims come with a standard six-speaker audio system, the Active, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum qualify for a Bang & Olufsen (B&O) setup with 10 speakers.
