11:36 03-11-2025

2026 Ford Escape powertrains: EcoBoost engines and AWD PHEV specs

For the 2026 model year, the Ford Escape offers three powertrains to choose from. The baseline for the 2026 Escape Active and ST-Line is a turbocharged 1.5-liter EcoBoost I3. It delivers 180 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque, working with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This unit is exclusive to the Active and ST-Line trims and sets a clear, no-nonsense starting point for the lineup.

Opting for the 2026 Escape ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, or Platinum brings a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost I4, also paired with an eight-speed. This engine is rated at 250 horsepower and 380 Nm, a step that neatly separates the upper trims with a meaningful bump in output.

Finally, a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder is standard on the 2026 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and is optional on the ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum. In PHEV form, the system delivers a combined output of 210 horsepower, channeled through an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). The hybrid setup is not available with front-wheel drive and is offered exclusively with all-wheel drive (AWD), a straightforward decision that keeps the plug-in’s configuration simple.