Ford Escape Will Return as a Brand-New EV in 2029.
Apparently, Ford is working on a next-generation Escape, known as the Kuga in Europe. The new model is expected to arrive in 2029 and it will be very different from any Escape we’ve seen before. According to recent reports, it will be based on Ford‘s all-new Universal EV Platform, a dedicated architecture designed to underpin a wide range of future electric vehicles. This new architecture is also expected to emphasize efficiency and lower production costs, all areas where Ford believes it can gain a competitive advantage. At least in the US.
(News like this will probably trigger a few angry comments from EV critics. But remember, I’m only reporting what’s being planned…)
The current Escape debuted for the 2020 model year and officially ended production last December. While it remained a pretty competitive entry in the crowded compact SUV segment, it never matched the success of its predecessor. The previous-generation Escape reached more than 308,000 sales in the U.S. during 2017, while the latest version managed just around 139,000 units last year. That’s still a respectable figure, but far below what Ford once achieved with the nameplate. Competition from newer rivals and changing consumer tastes likely played a role in the model’s declining popularity.
The upcoming Escape will reportedly become the second vehicle to use Ford’s new EV platform, following the affordable midsize electric pickup truck that has been the subject of numerous rumors and teasers. Ford executives have repeatedly emphasized that keeping ownership costs low is a key goal for these future EVs. The pickup is expected to start below $30,000, which would make it one of the most affordable electric vehicles in America.
The new Escape may not be far behind in pricing. The outgoing model is still listed at around $28,300, and if Ford can launch an electric replacement for only a few thousand dollars more, it could become a very compelling alternative. Besides the lower running costs associated with EVs, buyers would likely get a more modern platform, updated technology and improved interior space. Faster charging capabilities and improved battery durability could also be part of the package by the time the vehicle arrives.
Ford’s ambitions for the Universal EV Platform go well beyond a compact crossover. The company is reportedly planning a broad family of vehicles, including a larger three-row SUV and potentially more premium offerings for the Lincoln brand. If successful, this architecture could become the backbone of Ford’s future electric lineup for years to come. It could also allow Ford to develop new models more quickly while reducing engineering and manufacturing costs.
It will also be interesting to see what happens to the Mustang Mach-E. By the time the electric Escape arrives, the two vehicles could end up being very similar in size and capability. Ford may decide to position them differently, or the Escape could eventually become the company’s mainstream electric crossover while the Mach-E evolves into something more specialized. Something sportier that could actually look more like a traditional Mustang, maybe?
Either way, the arrival of an electric Escape would represent one of the biggest changes in the model’s history and could signal the beginning of a completely new chapter for Ford’s SUV lineup.
The illustrations above show what the next-generation Ford Escape EV could look like.