No, there is no 2027 Ford Escape. Ford built the last Escape at its Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky in December 2025, ending a 25-year run, and the 2026 Escape is the final model year. That includes the Escape Hybrid and the Escape Plug-In Hybrid. Ford has no direct replacement yet. Instead, it points Escape buyers to the Bronco Sport and Maverick, and the Louisville plant is being rebuilt to make Ford’s new $29,945 Fathom electric pickup from 2027, with an electric SUV to follow.
If you’re searching for a 2027 Escape, this guide explains what happened, what you can still buy, what replaces it and what it means for current owners.
Will there be a 2027 Ford Escape?
No. Ford has confirmed the Escape is discontinued. Here’s the timeline:
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2001 model year | First Ford Escape goes on sale |
| 2020 | Fourth-generation Escape launches |
| 2025 | Ford announces the end of Escape and Lincoln Corsair production |
| December 2025 | Last Escape built at Louisville Assembly Plant |
| 2026 | Final model year; remaining stock sold through dealers |
| 2027 | No Escape. Louisville starts building the Ford Fathom EV pickup |
Any listing for a “2027 Ford Escape for sale” is almost always a mislabeled 2026 or used vehicle. Check the VIN and window sticker.
Why was the Ford Escape discontinued?
Ford is shifting its lineup toward trucks, rugged SUVs and new low-cost EVs. The Escape competed in the crowded compact SUV class, where sales and profits were under pressure. Industry analysts note that the Bronco Sport is mechanically very similar and makes Ford more money, so keeping both made less sense. Ford also needed the Louisville plant for its new electric vehicle program.
What will replace the Ford Escape in 2027?
There is no model called the “new Escape.” Ford’s answer comes in three parts:
1. Ford Bronco Sport: the closest replacement, a compact SUV with similar size and engines, plus standard 4×4 and a more rugged design.
2. Ford Maverick: a compact pickup with a hybrid option, for buyers who liked the Escape Hybrid’s fuel economy. See our 2027 Ford Maverick guide.
3. Ford Fathom (from 2027): a new small electric pickup built at the old Escape plant, starting at $29,945 with destination. An electric SUV on the same platform is expected to follow. Read our 2027 Ford Fathom guide for what’s confirmed so far.
If you want a compact SUV that is not a Ford, the 2027 Toyota RAV4 and 2027 Honda CR-V both offer hybrids.
The final Escape: 2026 Ford Escape engines and trims
The 2026 model is the last one you can buy new. It offered four powertrains:
| Powertrain | Power | Drive | Fuel economy (combined) | Towing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L EcoBoost | 180 hp | FWD or AWD | Up to 30 mpg | 2,000 lbs |
| 2.0L EcoBoost | 250 hp | AWD | About 26 mpg | 3,500 lbs |
| 2.5L Hybrid | 192 hp | AWD (standard for 2026) | About 39 mpg | 1,500 lbs |
| 2.5L Plug-In Hybrid | 210 hp | FWD | About 40 mpg, ~37 miles electric range | Light towing only |
Trims ranged from the entry Active through the sporty ST-Line versions (including the ST-Line Select) to the top Platinum, plus the Plug-In Hybrid. For 2026, the regular hybrid came with standard all-wheel drive.
Is there a 2027 Escape Hybrid or PHEV?
No. Both the Escape Hybrid and Escape Plug-In Hybrid ended with the 2026 model year. The PHEV received price cuts near the end of production, so remaining stock can be good value.
2027 Ford Escape price: what you’ll pay instead
Because there’s no 2027 Escape, there’s no 2027 price. Remaining new 2026 Escapes are being sold with end-of-run discounts and incentives. The 2025 Escape started at about $30,350 before destination, which gives you a rough idea of the starting point before discounts.
If you’re shopping now:
- New 2026 Escape: look for dealer discounts on leftover stock, especially on the PHEV.
- Used Escape: prices should stay reasonable thanks to the large number of Escapes on the road.
- Bronco Sport: the closest new alternative, usually priced a little higher.
What it means for Escape owners
Warranty and parts: Your warranty stays valid, and Ford dealers will keep servicing Escapes and supplying parts for many years. Discontinued models remain covered by their original warranties.
Loyalty offers: Ford has offered extra incentives of about $1,000 to $4,000 to Escape owners and lessees who move to another Ford, such as a Bronco Sport, Maverick or a larger SUV or pickup. Terms change, so ask your dealer what’s available.
Trade-in and resale value: Being discontinued doesn’t make your Escape worthless. Its value will depend mainly on age, mileage and condition. If you plan to trade in or sell your Escape, get several quotes.
Insurance: Insurance costs shouldn’t change because a model is discontinued. Compare rates with our car insurance calculator.
Ford Escape history: four generations
| Generation | Model years | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| First | 2001–2007 | Compact SUV built with Mazda, available V6. The 2005 Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid SUV sold in the US. |
| Second | 2008–2012 | Updated, boxier design; the hybrid continued |
| Third | 2013–2019 | Based on the European Kuga, introduced small EcoBoost turbo engines and a sleeker shape |
| Fourth | 2020–2026 | Car-like design, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, a 2023 refresh with new styling and larger available screen |
Over 25 years, the Escape became one of Ford’s best-selling vehicles and helped popularize compact SUVs in America. Its hybrid version was a pioneer, years before most rivals offered a hybrid SUV.
Bronco Sport vs Escape: the closest replacement
Ford’s own answer for most Escape buyers is the Bronco Sport.
| Item | 2026 Ford Escape (final) | Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | Car-like compact SUV | Boxy, rugged compact SUV |
| Base engine | 1.5L EcoBoost, 180 hp | 1.5L EcoBoost, about 180 hp |
| Upgraded engine | 2.0L EcoBoost, 250 hp | 2.0L EcoBoost, 250 hp (Badlands) |
| Hybrid | Yes (2.5L, 192 hp) | No |
| Plug-in hybrid | Yes (about 37 miles electric) | No |
| Drive | FWD or AWD | 4×4 standard |
What you gain with the Bronco Sport: standard 4×4, more off-road ability, a tougher look and an upright cabin with good headroom.
What you lose: the hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, and some of the Escape’s smooth, car-like ride. If fuel economy was why you bought an Escape Hybrid, the Maverick Hybrid pickup or a hybrid compact SUV from another brand will be a better fit.
Maverick Hybrid: for Escape Hybrid owners
The Maverick is a compact pickup built on a platform related to the Escape and Bronco Sport. Its hybrid powertrain is closely related to the Escape Hybrid’s, with about 191 hp and excellent city fuel economy. If you liked your Escape Hybrid’s efficiency but don’t mind a small open bed instead of an enclosed cargo area, the Maverick is the most natural switch inside Ford’s lineup.
What happens to the Louisville plant?
The Louisville Assembly Plant, where the Escape and Lincoln Corsair were built, is being transformed into Ford’s first plant for its new Universal EV platform. Ford is investing about $2 billion in the plant. The first vehicle built there is the Ford Fathom, a small electric pickup starting at $29,945 with destination, followed by an electric SUV. In a way, the Fathom and its SUV sibling are the Escape’s spiritual successors at the same factory.
Lincoln Corsair also ends
The Lincoln Corsair, the luxury compact SUV based on the Escape, was also built at Louisville and ended production at the same time. If you were cross-shopping a Corsair, Lincoln’s Nautilus is now the brand’s smallest SUV.
Buying a used Ford Escape: what to check
Because there will be many Escapes on the used market for years, here’s what to look for:
1. Check for open recalls. Enter the VIN on the NHTSA recall website. Make sure all recall work has been done.
2. Get the service history. Regular oil changes matter for the turbocharged EcoBoost engines.
3. Have a pre-purchase inspection done by an independent mechanic, especially on higher-mileage examples.
4. For hybrids and PHEVs: ask about the hybrid battery’s health, and check that the remaining hybrid component warranty transfers to you.
5. Test the infotainment screen and cameras, since screen faults can be expensive to fix.
6. Compare prices across model years. The 2023 refresh brought updated styling and tech, which can be worth a small premium.
Escape lease ending? Your options
If your Escape lease ends in 2026 or 2027, you have three main choices:
- Buy out the lease if your car is in good condition and the buyout price is fair compared with similar used Escapes.
- Return it and lease a different Ford, such as a Bronco Sport or Maverick, and ask about Escape loyalty incentives.
- Return it and switch brands if Ford no longer offers what you want, such as a hybrid compact SUV.
Get the buyout figure from Ford Credit early and compare it with used market prices before deciding.
Does a discontinued model lose value faster?
Not necessarily. Used car values depend mostly on demand, condition, mileage and age. Because the Escape is a well-known, popular compact SUV with a large supply of parts and a big dealer network, it should remain easy to sell and service. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid Escapes may hold value well because buyers looking for efficient used SUVs will keep seeking them out.
Should you buy a final 2026 Escape?
Buy one if you find a well-priced new 2026, especially a Hybrid or PHEV, and plan to keep it a long time. Consider a Bronco Sport or RAV4 instead if resale value is important to you, or if you want a model that will receive future updates.
Frequently asked questions
Will there be a 2027 Ford Escape?
No. Ford ended Escape production in December 2025, and the 2026 model is the final model year.
Why did Ford discontinue the Escape?
Ford is focusing on trucks, rugged SUVs and new low-cost EVs, and it needed the Louisville plant for its new electric vehicle program. The similar Bronco Sport is also more profitable.
What will replace the Ford Escape?
There’s no direct replacement. Ford points buyers to the Bronco Sport and Maverick, and from 2027 the Louisville plant builds the new Ford Fathom electric pickup.
Is there a 2027 Ford Escape Hybrid?
No. The Escape Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid also ended with the 2026 model year.
Can I still buy a new Ford Escape?
Only remaining new 2026 stock at dealers, often with end-of-run discounts.
Will Ford still service my Escape?
Yes. Ford dealers will keep servicing Escapes and supplying parts, and existing warranties remain valid.
How much was the last Ford Escape?
The 2025 Escape started at about $30,350 before destination, and final 2026 models are being sold with discounts.
What is the closest vehicle to the Ford Escape?
The Ford Bronco Sport is the closest, with similar size and engines but standard 4×4 and a more rugged design. It doesn’t offer a hybrid.
Was the Ford Escape the first hybrid SUV?
Yes. The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid SUV sold in the US.
Is the Lincoln Corsair also discontinued?
Yes. The Corsair was built alongside the Escape at Louisville and ended production at the same time.
What is being built at the old Escape plant?
Ford’s Louisville plant is being retooled to build the new Ford Fathom electric pickup and a future electric SUV.
Should I buy a used Ford Escape?
It can be a good value. Check for open recalls, service records and, for hybrids, battery health, and get a pre-purchase inspection.
