2026 Escape ST-Line
Quick Answer: 2026 Ford Escape ST-Line
ST-Line runs $31,195 MSRP (plus $1,495 destination) — about $845 above Active — on the identical 180-hp 1.5L EcoBoost engine with front-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive optional. The upgrade over Active is cosmetic and comfort-focused rather than mechanical: an 8-way power driver's seat with red accent stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel, black roof-rack side rails, and 18-inch Rock Metallic wheels. The liftgate is still manual. Think of it as Active with a sportier look and a little more seat comfort, not a different powertrain.
Same engine, different attitude
ST-Line's entire pitch is styling and seat comfort layered onto Active's mechanical foundation. The 1.5L EcoBoost still makes 180 horsepower and returns the same EPA figures as Active — 27 city/34 highway front-wheel drive, 26/32 with AWD — because nothing about the drivetrain changes between the two trims. What does change is how it looks and how the driver's seat feels on a longer haul: the 8-way power adjustment with red accent stitching is a real comfort upgrade over Active's manual 6-way seat, and the flat-bottom wheel and 18-inch Rock Metallic wheels give it a visually sportier stance without touching performance.
Cargo capacity stays identical to Active at up to 65.4 cubic feet, and the standard equipment list — SYNC 4, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, Co-Pilot360 blind-spot monitoring — carries over unchanged. The liftgate remains manual on ST-Line; power liftgate operation doesn't show up until ST-Line Select.
Options worth a look
ST-Line shares Tech Pack #1 with Active and ST-Line Select — roughly $995 for adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering assist, and evasive steering assist. Unlike Active, ST-Line doesn't get the new-for-2026 Active Premium Tech Pack (that one's exclusive to the base trim), so Tech Pack #1 is the way to add driver-assist tech here. The same Cold Weather Package available on Active — heated front seats and steering wheel, around $995 — carries over to ST-Line as well.
Who cross-shops ST-Line
Buyers who'd pick Active on price but want the seat comfort and styling touches tend to land on ST-Line instead, especially for a vehicle that'll see regular highway stretches between Lakeland and the surrounding Polk County towns. It's also a common starting point for shoppers comparing across Lakeland Automall's Ford and Hyundai lots in the same visit, since the styling-forward trim tends to hold its own visually against competitors' sport-appearance packages.
Frequently asked questions
Is ST-Line worth the extra $845 over Active?
If the power driver's seat and the sportier look matter to you, yes — those are real, tangible upgrades for a modest price jump on the same drivetrain. If neither matters, Active covers identical mechanical ground for less money.
Does ST-Line come with a power liftgate?
No. The power liftgate first appears on ST-Line Select. ST-Line, like Active, uses a manual liftgate.
Can I get all-wheel drive on ST-Line?
Yes, as an available option — not standard. AWD pairs with the same 1.5L EcoBoost and drops fuel economy slightly, from 27/34 to 26/32 EPA-estimated.
Compare it against Active or step up
See how ST-Line stacks against the base Escape Active, or check current new inventory for what's on the ground at Lakeland Automall right now.
MSRP excludes the $1,495 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates — real-world results will vary. Package contents and pricing are approximate and subject to change; confirm current specs and pricing with Lakeland Automall.