One of the most exciting elements of the Ford Escape’s recent facelift and upgrade is the addition of a plug-in hybrid variant. Ford had initially announced the PHEV Ford Escape would hit the market in 2020, but a number of factors caused a delay. Luckily, the 2021 Escape PHEV is available today. More importantly, there’s enough information available to actually know what it’s like to own one of these eco-friendly Fords.

Which Model Is Right For Me?

The new Ford Escape PHEV comes in three distinct trim levels: SE, SEL, and Titanium. These models aren’t too dissimilar from their gas-powered Escape counterparts. Regardless of which trim you choose, your ride will be powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine matched with a hybrid system. Altogether, this powertrain produces 221 horsepower and an estimated 37 miles on electric power.

If you’re looking for a good mix of value and features, go with the SEL model. The base-level SE comes pretty loaded, so it makes a great budget-friendly option. The SEL adds some fun and convenient features like heated front seats, simulated leather upholstery, a power liftgate, and a remote start engine.

Of course, going with the Titanium model means getting pretty much everything that can be added to the Ford Escape. If you have the money and want it all, you can’t go wrong with this trim.

What’s Inside

While the Ford Escape has an attractive interior, most of the materials aren’t as high-end as something you might find in higher-priced SUVs. The standard textured cloth is nice enough, but it’s definitely worth going for a higher trim that comes with simulated or real leather.

The cargo area is impressive for an SUV this size. You’ll get 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seats in their down positions. You should easily be able to carry eight carry-on suitcases and still have room for airport snacks.

If you like modern tech features, you’ll definitely want to go with the SEL trim or higher. The SE model only comes with a 4.2-inch radio display and AM/FM radio. Once you jump to mid-level trim, you’ll get an eight-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Ford’s Sync 3 operating system. If you go for the Titanium trim, you’ll be especially happy with the premium B&O ten-speaker sound system, in-dash navigation, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge display.

Long Term Satisfaction

While the newest Ford Escape PHEV hasn’t been around long enough for a long-term review, drivers should be overall happy with this SUV. Previous model years have come back with excellent reviews.

Despite some soft-touch plastic inside and cheaper accents, the Escape is surprisingly a great value. It’s hard to beat the price of this SUV. Of course, once you start looking at all of the top features, vehicles like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Niro, and Toyota RAV4 PHEVs become a little more competitive.

Get your first impression of the new Ford Escape PHEV by visiting your local Ford dealer today.