Is the 2025 Ford Escape ST-Line Worth $29,995?

The 2025 Ford Escape ST-Line is a cut above the standard SUV

Ford’s Escape SUV slots in below the Explorer, offering a lower cost of entry, smaller overall dimensions, and a focus on fuel efficiency that the larger Ford SUVs don’t prioritize as much. As a result, it’s a pretty good SUV for new families or people that have space-intensive hobbies. The ST-Line is the first rung up the 2025 Escape trim ladder, asking just $845 more than the base Active trim, and you won’t wonder where your money goes.

The 2025 Ford Escape ST-Line is heavy on features and light on frills

For the additional cash you spend on the ST-Line, you get a few key upgrades. Eight-way power seats take the place of the standard six-way manual ones. Larger 18-inch wheels replace the standard 17-inch units, and you get a pair of black-painted roof rails. The ST-Line also gets a slightly sportier grille design. Inside, a flat-bottom steering wheel with red stitching replaces the standard black one, and the same red stitching adorns the vinyl and cloth seats that are also unique to the ST-Line. You also unlock the available hybrid engine, which gets you a 12-horsepower advantage over the entry-level model. That powertrain commands a further $2,495 premium, but offers commensurately better fuel economy of 39 vs. 30 combined mpg for the standard SUV.

There are great alternatives, but the ST-Line stays competitive

The 2025 Ford Escape ST-Line, whether in hybrid guise or relying fully on gas power, faces a lineup of supremely confident competitors. The small SUV/crossover segment’s standard bearer, the Honda CR-V, is included in the bunch. Its higher base price is offset by better out-of-the-box performance and a significantly higher cargo capacity of 75 cubic feet vs the Escape’s 65 cubic feet. However, Edmunds ranks the Escape higher overall and consumer sentiment seems to mirror that appraisal. Furthermore, the base CR-V offers fewer speakers, smaller 17-inch wheels, and an optional 9-inch infotainment screen that is dwarfed by the ST-Line’s offers a 13.2-inch screen.

Another solid competitor is the Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Select, which doesn’t offer a hybrid powertrain but does offer some stuff that costs extra on the Escape ST-Line. Heated and leatherette-trimmed seats join standard all-wheel drive and a slightly more powerful 2.5-liter engine. The ST-Line and CX-5 2.5 S Select both offer six-speaker audio systems, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Despite the Mazda’s higher MSRP of $31,520, it lacks cargo space comparatively, making do with just 58 cubic feet.

Final thoughts

Based on competitive analysis, we think the Ford Escape ST-Line is well-rounded but perhaps lacks focus. The Honda CR-V is better bare-bones transportation, and the CX-5 is arguably better to drive and much prettier. That said, the Escape ST-Line undercuts both on price and maintains advantages in some areas. Most importantly, it builds value with options its rivals can’t match, like the $995 fancy touchscreen. The 2025 Ford Escape ST-Line is worth $29,995, but we recommend driving it back-to-back with competitors before deciding it’s your next family hauler.