Ford Escape
The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV sold by Ford since the 2001 model year. The first Ford SUV derived from a car platform, the Escape was slotted below the Ford Explorer in size; the Escape is currently sized between the Ford EcoSport and Ford Edge. In another first, the 2004 Ford Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid-electric vehicle from Ford, and the first hybrid produced as an SUV.
| Ford Escape | |
|---|---|
2021 Escape Hybrid (US) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Also called |
|
| Production | 2000–present |
| Model years | 2001–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact crossover SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford Maverick (Europe) |
| Successor | Ford Territory (Middle East, South America, Philippines and Vietnam) |
Through rebranding, Ford has sold the Escape under several nameplates through its production. The first two generations used the Ford CD2 platform (jointly developed with Mazda), leading to the release of the Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner; as with the Escape, both the Tribute and Mariner were sold in North America. In Europe, the Escape was initially branded as the Ford Maverick from 2001 to 2008 (replacing a Nissan-produced SUV).
Under the mid-2000s "One Ford" globalization strategy, the third and fourth-generation designs of the Escape have been unified with the Ford Kuga, designed by Ford of Europe. Sharing a common body and chassis underpinnings (and several engines), the Escape and Kuga are produced in their home markets. As with previous generations, the fourth-generation Escape is offered with gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. Outside of North America, the Ford Escape is sold in Australia, China, and Taiwan.