It's rated the same as the hybrid, about 41 mpg combined, but only drives the front wheels via the CVT. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid pairs the same 2.5-liter inline-4 with a much bigger 14.4-kwh lithium-ion battery that can power the crossover on electricity alone for up to 37 miles. It returns up to 41 mpg combined, according to the EPA, and in the Escape SE Sport, it becomes a stone-cold steal for crossover shoppers looking for efficiency who don’t want to wear green on their sleeves. Its performance metric is measured more in confidence: there’s more passing speed and more power to tap for mountain-state buyers.Ī 2.5-liter inline-4 pairs to a small battery in Escape Hybrid models and drives the front or all four wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

It drives the front wheels as standard but can shuttle power toward the rears for all-weather traction.Ī meatier 250-hp turbo-4 is on the menu that powers all four wheels via the same 8-speed automatic. Under the hood is a smorgasbord of powertrain possibilities, beginning with a small 181-horsepower turbo-3 that pairs to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2021 Escape is available in S, SE, SE Sport, SEL, and Titanium trim levels. A hybrid powertrain is now available on more trims and a plug-in hybrid launched late last year returns again this year. The Escape takes a year off after its initial splash last year.

Grey ford escape 2021