Choosing the right trim can be a real chore because you may not know exactly what separates one from the other. If you need to do some research on a vehicle like the 2024 Ford Escape because you’re looking for a compact Ford Escape for sale, then you will want to know everything there is to know before you commit to a purchase. When it comes to the trim offerings for the Escape, there are six different options in both traditional gas-powered and hybrid options. When it comes to features, I can run you through the basics and then detail the trims so you can figure out which one sounds best for you.
2024 Ford Escape Powertrains and Other Options
The 2024 Escape has four different powertrains and two drivetrain configurations in standard gas-powered and hybrid formats in front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The Escape seats up to five across two rows, and you have up to 37.5 cu.ft. of cargo capacity behind the second row and 65.4 cu.ft. of space with the second row folded. The hybrid offers up to 34.4 cu.ft. of cargo capacity behind the second row and up to 60.8 cu.ft. of cargo capacity with the second row folded down.
When it comes to the powertrains, you have two different turbocharged EcoBoost engines, a 1.5-liter inline 3-cylinder that produces 180 hp at 199 lb-ft of torque. This engine also provides 27 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive, and 26 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway in all-wheel drive. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine makes 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, providing you with 23 MPG in the city and up to 31 MPG on the highway. This engine is available only in all-wheel drive. Then, there are the two hybrid options. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid electric makes 192 hp and is paired up with a continuously variable transmission, providing an impressive 42 MPG in the city and up to 36 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The last powertrain is the 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid that is paired with a 14.4-kWh battery pack, and it generates up to 210 hp.
The 2024 Escape is available in six basic colors, including Agate Black, Carbonized Gray, Space Silver Metallic, Rapid Red, Vapor Blue Metallic, and Star White Metallic. There are a total of six trims, which start with the base Active. That is followed by the ST-Line, the ST-Line Select, the Platinum, the ST-Line Elite, and the Plug-In Hybrid. You will have to check with your local dealer or your preferred seller when it comes to trim availability and packaging.
Active Trim Features
The starting trim for the 2024 Escape is the Active, and it is available only with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost 3-cylinder. You can, however, get the Active in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and it comes standard with 17-inch shadow silver-painted aluminum wheels that you can opt to have wrapped in all-season tires. You also get a number of functional features on the Active, including an available power liftgate, standard privacy glass for the second row and on the tailgate, and Intelligent Access with a Push-Button Start.
The Active has cloth front bucket seats and Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control. Additionally, all Escape trims come with selectable drive modes via a rotary dial on the center console, which includes Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Normal. Every trim also comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 safety technology and FordPass Connect with Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity. You also have the standard inclusion of the Ford SYNC infotainment suite, which features an 8-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone projection.
ST-Line Trim Features
The Escape ST-Line offers some great performance features and is designed to offer an affordable sports appeal to the Escape line-up. It’s available in both front and all-wheel drive and with either the 1.5-liter inline 3-cylinder or the 2.5-liter hybrid 4-cylinder powertrain. This trim comes with all-season tires wrapped around 18-inch Rock Metallic painted aluminum alloy wheels and features everything that the Active does but with standard black roof-rack rails on the exterior. Additionally, the sport grille is accented with LED lighting and ST-Line badging.
Inside, you have sport contour bucket seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and ebony black and red interior stitching. The ST-Line has all of the same features as the Active when it comes to comfort and convenience, which includes cupholders, illuminated vanity mirrors, center console media bin, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio along with the full infotainment suite. However, some of the other benefits of the ST-Line include Cruise Control with steering wheel-mounted controls for media functionality.
ST-Line Select Trim Features
The Escape ST-Line Select takes a lot of what makes the ST-Line special and then ramps it up a degree. This includes boosting the standard performance output by coming standard with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder, but it’s also available with the 2.5-liter hybrid 4-cylinder for those who would prefer range over power. Now, unlike the ST-Line, the ST-Line Select is only available in all-wheel drive, so that’s something to consider as well if you are looking for an Escape based on fuel economy and long-range commutes rather than high performance.
The ST-Line Select comes standard with Equipment Group 401A, which means you get fog lamps, heated steering, and remote start, all standard as part of the trim offerings. The ST-Line Select also comes standard with 18-inch Rock Metallic painted aluminum wheels, but you can also have it configured with 19-inch machined-face Ebony-painted aluminum wheels. While you get everything that the ST-Line comes with, you also get a few extra features, such as heated side view mirrors and towing capability for up to 3,500 lbs. Heated front seats with an eight-way power driver seat are also standard, along with a heated steering wheel and the SYNC 4 infotainment suite that comes with SiriusXM.
Platinum Trim Features
Prestigious, upscale, and still fun, the 2024 Escape Platinum moves you into the luxury offerings of the Escape. It comes standard with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost, but you can have it configured with the 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain if you like. The Platinum is also available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive and comes with the Platinum 601A Equipment Group package, which includes 19-inch machined-face aluminum wheels with dark, tarnished-painted pockets. The Platinum also includes driver seat and side-view mirror memory settings, so the adjustments you make are remembered every time you step inside the vehicle.
The Platinum’s Equipment Group package comes with the upgraded Ford SYNC infotainment suite, which includes the 13.2-inch HD center touchscreen, and an accompanying 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that features connected navigation and enhanced voice recognition. The interior also comes standard in Ebony, but you can also have the interior material outfitted in Space Gray, with either ActiveX seating material with mini-perforation or leather-trimmed seats with a quilted design and mini-perforation. The 10-way power front driver seat and six-way power front passenger seats come standard with heated functionality. The Platinum also comes standard with adaptive cruise control, wireless charging, and the added support of an available 360-degree camera with split-view functionality.
ST-Line Elite Trim Features
The ST-Line Elite is all about all-wheel drive performance, and it is only available in all-wheel drive either with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost or with the 2.5-liter hybrid engine. It also comes with the ST-Line Elite 501A Equipment Group package, which includes 19-inch machined face Ebony-painted aluminum wheels and the SYNC 4 infotainment suite with enhanced voice recognition. So, the ST-Line Elite comes with all of the features of the Platinum but is more focused on top-end performance and styling.
The ST-Line Elite features the same interior materials as the other ST-Line trims, but instead of the cloth, you have the option of ActiveX-trimmed seats with a quilted design and mini-perforation. Evasive steering assist, heated steering wheel, and Ford Co-Pilot 360 all come standard on the ST-Line Elite.
Plug-in Hybrid Trim Features
The 2024 Escape Plug-In is the top-end trim offering that is only available with the 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid, hence the name. It’s also the only trim with a plug-in capable hybrid powertrain. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid is only available in front-wheel drive, so it makes it the perfect option for those who want the best fuel economy available for a 2024 model year Escape. It comes standard with the 700A Equipment Group package featuring 18-inch machined-faced Magnetic aluminum wheels with painted pockets and the built-in pedestrian alert sounder. It comes standard with partial vinyl and cloth seating material but is available with leather-trimmed seats in either Ebony Black or Space Gray.
There is an eight-way power driver seat and heated front-row seats that come standard. Also standard is the Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite and the 13.2-inch HD touchscreen with a large digital driver display. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid also features a Digital Rear View Camera, as well as the availability of a head-up display. You also get all of the other standard infotainment and tech features you get with the ST-Line Elite.
Choosing The Right 2024 Escape Trim Before You Buy
One of the essential parts of buying a vehicle is knowing what you want to buy before you buy it. So, hopefully, this guide has helped you with figuring out which trim actually appeals to your shopping preferences. You’ll obviously have to weigh the pros and cons of the trim based on your location, commuter experience, passenger requirements, cargo needs, budget, and what you want from the vehicle’s performance. If you’re looking for a great Ford Escape for sale, hopefully, this has helped you narrow down which trim fits you best.
