Aug 28, 2024
Red Ford Escape with passengers getting into it

The Ford Escape has been a popular choice among compact SUVs for its blend of practicality, style, and value. As we approach the 2025 model year, Ford is gearing up to introduce a refreshed Escape with notable updates and enhancements. In this article, we’ll delve into a comprehensive comparison between the 2025 Ford Escape and its 2024 counterpart, highlighting the key differences and what you can expect from the latest iteration.

Exterior and Design

Fresh from a redesign in 2023, both the 2024 and 2025 models of the Escape have matching exterior styling. The ST-Line in both years features unique body color exterior trims, including 19-inch machined-face Ebony-painted aluminum wheels and an exclusive dynamically designed grille. Color options are the same for both years.

The Platinum trim adds LED fog lights for a breathtaking exterior design. Both model years feature an available LED light bar and an optional panoramic Vista Roof with a power shade that allows you to flood the cabin with sunshine at the press of a button.

Ford Escape Interior and Comfort

The 2024 and 2025 Ford Escapes share the same practical and comfortable cabin. Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard on both models, providing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone connectivity. The two cars use Ford’s latest SYNC 4 infotainment system, which offers enhanced voice recognition, Alexa, FordPass, and several optional features. An 8.0-inch touchscreen is standard on both models, but you can upgrade to a larger 13.2-inch display for improved navigation. Higher trims, such as the ST-Line Elite and Escape Hybrid Platinum, have the bigger infotainment system as standard equipment.

You can further upgrade the in-cabin experience in both models with the available 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless charging. You can also improve your situational awareness with the optional 360-degree camera that provides enhanced visibility of the car’s front, sides, and rear. The 2025 model preserves the well-thought-out interior of the previous year, with intuitively located controls, generous storage space, and plenty of passenger room, even for people in the backseat.

Higher trims like the ST-Line Elite have an all-Ebony interior with comfortable sport contour bucket seats wearing eye-catching red stitching. The Platinum trim has an even more appointed interior, with unique accents on the instrument panel and door, and a heated steering wheel. There are no ventilated front seats or heated rear seats, but you can get an optional dual-zone climate control system on both models.

Ford Escape Performance and Handling

The 2025 Ford Escape shares the same engines and powertrains as the 2024 model. Both cars have four engine options and four powertrain configurations:

Engine Options

You can get the 2024 and 2025 Ford Escape with these engines:

  • 1.5-liter EcoBoost I-3 engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology.
  • 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology.
  • 2.5-liter iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 Hybrid engine.
  • 2.5-liter iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 Plug-In Hybrid engine.

Powertrain Options

These powertrain configurations are available for both model years:

  • Front-Wheel Drive (available on 1.5-liter EcoBoost and 2.5-liter Hybrid).
  • Available All-Wheel Drive (available on 1.5-liter EcoBoost, 2.0-liter EcoBoost, and 2.5-liter Hybrid).
  • 8-speed automatic transmission (1.5-liter EcoBoost and 2.0-liter EcoBoost).
  • eCVT transmission (2.5-liter Hybrid and 2.5-liter Plug-In Hybrid).

The 1.5-liter EcoBoost and 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines provide responsive, turbocharged performance, while the 2.5-liter Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid options offer improved fuel efficiency. The available all-wheel-drive system enhances capability and traction in various driving conditions, but can also detect when it’s not required.

If the vehicle senses you don’t need AWD, it disengages the system from the driveline and delivers all the power to the front wheels for a more dynamic driving experience. You can select from four driving modes, including Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Normal, ensuring you get the best performance and handling irrespective of the road conditions.

Safety and Technology

The 2024 and 2025 Ford Escape models offer the following key safety features and driver assistance technologies:

  • Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection.
  • Lane-Keeping Assist.
  • Blind Spot Monitoring with Cross-Traffic Alert.
  • Adaptive Cruise Control.
  • Auto High-Beam Headlamps.
  • Rear View Camera.

Driver assistance technologies available on both models include the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver aids, which include:

  • Available Active Park Assist 2.0 for easier parallel and perpendicular parking.
  • Park Out Assist.
  • FordPass Connect remote access and vehicle monitoring via smartphone app.
  • Reverse Brake Assist, which warns you about pedestrians and stationary objects while reversing. The system is intelligent enough to stop the car if you don’t react quickly.
  • Blind Spot Information System, which warns you of approaching vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, so you can take mitigating maneuvers.

Cargo Space and Practicality

Both the 2025 and 2024 Escape offer ample cargo space and versatile seating configurations. The two SUVs offer similar cargo space, with a maximum cargo volume of 65.4 cubic feet when you fold the rear seats and 37.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row. 60/40 split-folding rear seats allow for seamless loading of larger items, and they can also slide back for an extra 5.9 inches of legroom.

Pricing

The 2024 and 2025 Ford Escape models are almost the same inside out, but the newer SUV is cheaper. While the base Active trim starts at $29,495 for 2024, the 2025 model has an MSRP of $27,995. The new ST-Line starts at $28,990, while the 2024 counterpart has a sticker price of $30,490. Even the Plug-In Hybrid variant is cheaper for 2025 at $38,400, compared to 2024’s $40,500 MSRP. This means if you get the 2025 Escape, you’re not only getting a newer car, but you’re getting it at a lower price.

Experience the 2025 Ford Escape in Person at John Kennedy Ford of Jenkintown

The 2025 Ford Escape combines comfort, practicality, and affordability with top-of-the-line safety and tech features. With the intuitive SYNC4 infotainment system and advanced driver aids from the Ford Co-Pilot360 package, you’re guaranteed to have enjoyable and safe trips in this compact SUV. If you want to experience all the top-tier automotive gadgets of the new Escape, visit us at John Kennedy Ford of Jenkintown for a test drive, and we promise to make your car-buying journey stress-free. Contact our helpful sales team today for answers to all your questions regarding the 2025 Ford Escape vs. the 2024 Ford Escape.

Image from ford.com