2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-in Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$33,075 to $38,885

Original MSRP

5.7
of 10

expert review

3.0

avg user rating

(3 reviews)

Pros

  • Great ride quality

  • Easy-to-use technology

Cons

  • Potentially polarizing design

  • Sluggish performance

  • All-wheel drive not available

5.7
out of 10
expert review
Look & feel
6/10
Technology
6/10
Performance
4/10
Safety
7/10
Form & function
6/10
Cost-effectiveness
5/10
Photo by Matt Smith. 2021 Ford Escape PHEV front-quarter view

Ford’s electrified Escape provides a compromise for those not ready to go full EV.

Announced ahead of the 2020 model year, the Ford Escape PHEV already looks like a half-measure in 2021. An electric motor and battery pack provide reasonable driving range in ideal conditions, helping it achieve a commendable combined fuel economy rating from the EPA. But in a rapidly electrifying marketplace, and with many of the most exciting EVs coming from the Blue Oval itself, the Escape PHEV is hard to recommend as a long-term option.
6/10

Now in its fourth generation, the Ford Escape looks decidedly sleeker than ever before. Long, swept-back headlights flank a hexagonal grille positioned just below the vehicle’s leading edge. At first glance (and certainly in comparison with the first- and second-generation Escapes), the new design looks friendly, but somewhat peculiar. The big headlight eyes and beaming grille mouth give it the appearance of a smiling guppy. For some, it’s immediately charming, disarming, and friendly. For others, it’s an acquired taste. Although we weren’t enamored in 2020, by 2021, the Escape’s ubiquity has allowed us to get used to its exterior styling. And, darn it, we’ve come to like it. It’s certainly more distinctive than the previous-generation car, even if it defects from the zeitgeist of rugged looks and chunky proportions.

The Escape looks even better in profile. The smoothly curved body panels resemble a new Mazda CX-5’s. Slight details like the chrome strip above the windows and the subtle spoiler above the rear window lend it a degree of elegance missing on earlier-generation Escapes. Even the plastic body cladding along the wheel wells and door sills is appropriately restrained, providing just enough visual toughness without looking as comically overdone as what you’ll find on many competitors (cough, Subaru).

At the rear, the Escape is inoffensive, if not exciting. Wide-spaced letters spell out ESCAPE below the Ford emblem and the rear glass, but that styling choice has become so common that it no longer feels fresh or cool or special. Simple taillights and a plastic rear bumper finish off the Escape’s sophisticatedly utilitarian vibe.

Inside, unfortunately, the Escape skews more utilitarian and less sophisticated. Our Titanium trim (painted Rapid Red, a $395 option) had a panoramic sunroof ($1,495) but was otherwise entirely underwhelming.

Hard plastic abounds, particularly on the Escape’s interior door handles and center console—two places the driver and passengers are sure to come in contact with regularly. Similarly unimpressive was our test car's head-up display. The HUD in this Ford was the plastic-shield type, rather than being projected on the windshield's glass. Even more jarring is the blonde fake-wood trim running across the dash, from the driver information display to the passenger door. It sits below an 8-inch touchscreen stuck atop the dash. With big bezels and a tacked-on look, the touchscreen doesn’t impress, either.

That said, the Escape PHEV does offer decent storage ahead of the rotary shift knob, the cupholders are large enough to hold a 20-ounce Yeti travel cup, and our test car’s ebony-and-sandstone leather upholstery was soft and looked to have held up well thus far over the car’s 10,000-mile life.

Matt Smith
Published Jan 13, 2022 by Matt Smith
When it comes to cars, Matt's curiosity extends well beyond the powertrain. From Ford to Porsche, he's as interested in the history behind the machine as he is in the view behind the wheel. Matt has been working on the journalism side of the auto industry since 2014. As CarGurus’ Deputy Editor, he creates and oversees the site’s written and video content.

User reviews for 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-in

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User rating:
by Marissa S
Mar 27, 2024
I loved this car until I turned the engine on. All electric cars have to have a noise added by law so pedestrians can hear them coming, but for some reason Ford decided to make theirs a high pitched hum that’s actually louder in the car than outside it. Maybe if I lose my hearing but otherwise an absolute no for me. Mar 27, 2024
by Paul S
Dec 19, 2021
This is the perfect car/suv for us. 98% of our trips are less than 25 miles. We can use the electric motor. The only drawback is there’s not enough of these vehicles available to purchase. Dec 19, 2021
by Paul G
May 29, 2021
Most of car works bit getting cell phone alerts of electrical system failure, park the car. Dealer does not know why. Too much connection to big Ford officeMay 29, 2021

2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-in Pricing

Original MSRP
$33,075 to $38,885
Price range
$21,081 to $21,502
Average price on CG
$21,081
YoY price change
$21,502 to $21,081

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Pandora internet radio · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 80 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Dash trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: urethane

Convenience Features

Ambient lighting: color · Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): USB rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 2.91

Engine

Battery: maintenance-free · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor miles per charge: 37 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 163 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6250 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 155 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 6250

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Skid plate(s): front · Window trim: black

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Hybrid

EV battery capacity: 14.4 kWh · Starter Type: motor/generator

In Car Entertainment

Connected in-car apps: app marketplace integration · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 6.5 in. · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Programmable safety key: MyKey · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Kit: tire sealant

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 27 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 23 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: FordPass Connect · Smart device app function: engine start · Wifi: hotspot

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: painted aluminum

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Pandora internet radio · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 80 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Dash trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leatherette

Convenience Features

Ambient lighting: color · Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Keyless entry: keypad · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 2.91

Engine

Battery: maintenance-free · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor miles per charge: 37 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 163 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6250 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 155 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 6250

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Skid plate(s): front · Window trim: black

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Hybrid

EV battery capacity: 14.4 kWh · Starter Type: motor/generator

In Car Entertainment

Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: SYNC · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 6.5 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: wiper activated · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Roof rails: black

Safety

Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Programmable safety key: MyKey · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: perforated

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Kit: inflator kit

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 27 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 23 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: FordPass Connect · Smart device app function: maintenance status · Wifi: hotspot

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: painted aluminum

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Pandora internet radio · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · Watts: 575

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Dash trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leatherette

Convenience Features

Active parking system: fully automated · Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Footwell lights: color-adjustable · Keyless entry: keypad · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB-C rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 2.91

Engine

Battery: maintenance-free · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor miles per charge: 37 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 163 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6250 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 155 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 6250

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Skid plate(s): front and rear · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Hybrid

EV battery capacity: 14.4 kWh · Starter Type: motor/generator

In Car Entertainment

Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: SYNC · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Power adjustments: 6

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Roof rails: black

Safety

Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Programmable safety key: MyKey · Rearview monitor: in dash · Traffic sign recognition: adaptive speed limiting

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: flat · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leatherette

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Kit: tire sealant

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 27 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 23 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: FordPass Connect · Smart device app function: lock operation · Wifi: hotspot

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: painted aluminum

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent

See all trims (3)