The 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid
is by no means a show-stopper, but its efficiency and affordable price point make it a popular choice in the compact crossover PHEV market. Are you considering adding a 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid to your garage? Well, you’ve come to the right place to learn more.
The experts at Jerry
, the super app
that saves drivers money on car insurance
, have curated this guide to help you make your purchase decision. We’ll review the model's competitive value, differentiating specifications (for better and for worse), and how it holds up among similar PHEVs. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
2021 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid
Like a PHEV, let’s be efficient—we'll get straight into the nitty-gritty details. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2021 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid.
Pricing
The 2021 traditional gas-powered Ford Escape starts at about $25,555. But you’ll have to look further down the pricing sheet to locate the PHEV option, which has an MSRP of $33,075. The PHEV pricing equation is much more complex (to your advantage!) than the sticker price implies.
You should also factor in the additional benefits, like being eligible for a $6,843 federal tax credit. And let us not forget all the savings at the gas pump, thanks to the all-electric driving range of a PHEV. As you can see, the initial price gap can get wiped out pretty quickly.
Performance and fuel economy
PHEVs combine pure electric range and efficient internal combustion performance. Once the battery runs out of juice, the engine takes control of the situation.
Let’s take a look at how the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV leverages this innovative technology. Below, you’ll find the performance outputs that the 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4 engine can achieve in tandem with the electric motor and 14.4 kWh battery pack:
Fuel economy (gas only): 40 mpg
Miles per gallon equivalent: 105 MPGe
Electric driving range: 37 miles
Total driving range: 520 miles
These metrics are highly competitive in the compact crossover PHEV market (see comparisons to the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
and 2022 Hyundai Tuscon PHEV
). However, the overall driving experience is pretty lackluster. With only 200 hp, it takes the Escape PHEV 7.7 seconds to reach 60 mph. And when you’re in all-electric mode, expect it to take even longer—the power output just doesn’t seem to hit the same. This vehicle is only available in front-wheel drive, as well, so don’t plan on taking it anywhere but urban streets.
The bottom line: Whatever performance shortcomings the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV has it makes up for with efficiency.
Exterior styling
Think of the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV’s exterior as a wannabe Porsche Macan
: same shape with none of the style. Honestly, anytime Ford
can be mentioned in the same sentence as Porsche
should be considered a compliment. While the Escape doesn’t have any of the sporty lines or aggressive features of the Macon, it does at least attempt to replicate its body shape. The less critical eye may take a liking to the Escape’s smiley-face grille and dual exhaust outlets. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder anyway.
Interior and comfort
There’s nothing overly flashy about the interior of the 2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, but it does do some things better than others, and vice versa. So let’s take a quick look:
The good: heated seats and steering wheel, 10-way driver-side adjustability, and 30 cubic feet of trunk space.
The bad: Plasticity materials, seats not very form-fitting, and battery pack cuts into rear leg room.
Technology
Unfortunately, the 2021 Escape PHEV is only equipped with Ford’s proprietary SYNC 3 infotainment system—not the latest fourth-generation system. But don’t worry too much, SYNC 3 still offers innovative features like climate control, audio streaming, smartphone connectivity, and in-car navigation. You’ll be using a standard 6.5-inch digital instrument cluster to access these amenities.
In addition, the 2021 Escape PHEV is equipped with driver-assist technologies in its entry-level trims (SE and SEL). So at no extra cost, you get automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring.
Warranty coverage
Ford takes some stress out of the car-buying process by offering comprehensive warranty coverage. Here’s what is covered and for how long:
Basic warranty: 36 months or 36,000 miles
Corrosion perforation warranty: 60 months at unlimited distance
Hybrid/electric system warranty: 96 months or 100,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 60 months or 60,000 miles
Roadside assistance coverage: 60 months or 60,000miles
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Trim levels and options
So far, we’ve been describing the base SE trim level. Here are the additional features included in the SEL and Titanium trim levels to help spice things up and improve your driving experience:
ActiveX™ seat upholstery with Mini-Perforation
SecuriCode™ keyless-entry keypad
LED signature exterior lighting
12.3-inch instrument cluster display
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Six-way power passenger seat
Active Park Assist 2.0 forward/reverse parking system
Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane-centering
Voice-activated navigation system
The bottom line
Honestly, you can’t tell the difference between the standard 2011 Ford Escape and the PHEV variant from the outside. But it’s what’s under the hood that matters.
The fuel efficiency you get for the price is simply one of the best values in the compact crossover PHEV segment—see for yourself next when we put it tire-to-tire with the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime and 2022 Hyundai Tuscon PHEV!
2021 Ford Escape PHEV vs. 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
The dramatic styling of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime certainly gives it a leg up on the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV. However, with fairly similar efficiency metrics, are the upgraded aesthetics worth the $6,000+ price increase? We’ll let you be the judge of that.
| | | Fuel economy (gas + electric) | | | |
|---|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | 10 years or 150,000 miles |
2021 Ford Escape PHEV vs. 2022 Hyundai Tuscon PHEV
As you’ll see below, the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV beats out the 2022 Hyundai Tuscon PHEV in both price and efficiency. Checkmate.
| | | Fuel economy (gas + electric) | | | |
|---|
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | 10 years or 100,000 miles |
How to save money on car insurance
If you’re even considering the 2021 Ford Escape PHEV, we already know you have a good eye for value. So when we tell you the Jerry app
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