Ford Escape Might Return With Help From Nissan, Report Claims
The Ford Escape and its luxurious cousin, the Lincoln Corsair, will cease production near the end of this year as the Louisville, Kentucky plant undergoes a massive transformation. As previously announced, the Blue Oval will shift its focus to the brand new Ford Universal EV Platform aimed at launching various affordable, high-volume models, starting with a midsize pickup in 2027.
However, according to a report by Automotive News on Tuesday, the Escape could return in a couple of years or so with a new generation developed and manufactured in collaboration with Nissan.
- Also: Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs in 2025
- Also: With Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair Bowing Out, What’s Next?
That’s right: Nissan is said to have started discussions with a few competitors, including Ford and Stellantis. It would supply them with a compact SUV derived from the next Nissan Rogue, due as a 2027 model. Production would also take place at the same factory as the Rogue in Tennessee.
The potential alliance would also see Nissan supply Ford with its third-generation e-Power hybrid system, which drives the wheels solely by electric motors and uses a gasoline engine to charge the battery on the go—much like the late Chevrolet Volt.
If the report is accurate and Ford does end up accepting Nissan's offer, we can expect the Escape name to resurface. After all, the Escape has been one of the best-selling SUVs in North America since launching back in 2000. Canadian sales jumped 58.8% in 2024 to reach 31,037 units. However, they fell 8% in the first half of 2025.
Immediately following the Escape’s retirement (temporary or not), Ford will be looking to redirect its customers to the Bronco Sport, which offers a similar size and the same gasoline engines (but no hybrid variants), or even the Maverick pickup, which sells for a comparable price.
Another thing to consider is that Ford is likely to use its new Universal EV Platform to launch a smaller, entry-level electric SUV that will slot below the Mustang Mach-E. There’s a chance that new EV could become the next Escape, as well.