Ford Has Reasonably Priced Lease Deals for the Escape this April
The 2026 Ford Escape in a Nutshell
In response to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, Ford introduced the Escape in 2000 for the 2001 model year. It was America's first compact crossover, although it was made possible with a fair bit of help from Mazda.
A quarter century later, and the Escape is in its final year. 2026 will be the last for the compact crossover, with the Bronco Sport effectively taking over its spot. The final car rolled out last year, capping off 25 years of production after four generations. The current and final generation came about in 2019 with a facelift for 2023.
2026 Ford Escape Lease Deals for April
Ford is offering 48-month lease deals on most Escape trim levels this April. The base Active kicks things off at $337 per month, with $3,522 due at signing, followed by the ST-Line at $347 per month, with a due at signing of $3,616. The mid-spec ST-Line Select is $384 per month with $4,035 due at signing
Going for the more premium trims, the Platinum is $432 per month with $4,376 due at signing. At the top is the ST-Line Elite, which can be leased for $428 per month with $4,471 due at signing. If those prices look familiar, that's because those rates were carried over from last month. As always, mileage is limited to 10,500 per year.
2026 Ford Escape Highlights
Base prices for the 2026 Ford Escape range from $30,350 to $38,935, with six trim levels available. The six available variants for the compact crossovers are Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Plug-in Hybrid, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum. Regardless of trim, all Escapes come standard with advanced driver assists through Ford Co-Pilot360, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sync 4, FordPass Connect, and Roll Stability Control.
It's worth mentioning that the 2026 Escape cannot be offered in states that follow the stricter CARB emissions regulations. These states are California, Massachusetts, Oregon, New York, Washington, and Vermont.
Active and ST-Line models come standard with a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine with 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. ST-Line Select and up come standard with hybrid power that mates a 2.5-liter Atkinson Cycle engine to two motors, for a combined output of 200 hp. Optional on those trims is a 2.0-liter EcoBoost making 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. As for the standalone and front-wheel drive-only plug-in hybrid, it has the same setup as the hybrid, but has a larger battery, charging capabilities, and 221 hp.
Final Thoughts
If getting a compact crossover for less is the top priority, perhaps the Escape is worth a shot. Even the range-topping model doesn't go beyond $40,000, and it's generally well-equipped for the money. Escape is also cheaper to lease than the Bronco Sport, so that might be a point worth considering.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle.
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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 6:30 AM.