2026 Ford Escape vs 2026 Chevy Equinox

• 2026 is the last year of production for the Escape as Ford launches a new EV model.
• The 2026 Escape is unavailable in six states due to stricter emissions requirements.
• The Escape changes virtually nothing in its last year, while the Equinox builds on its recent total redesign.

Finding a 2026 Escape depends heavily on where you live. Because of stricter emissions regulations, Ford will not sell the Escape in California, Washington, Oregon, Vermont, New York, or Massachusetts. Buyers in those states who still want a new Escape will need to look outside state lines or settle for a remaining 2025 model still sitting on dealer lots.

That limited availability gives the Escape a shorter runway than most final-year models typically get, especially for buyers who want one of Ford's gas or hybrid compact SUVs before the lineup shifts more toward EVs.

Ford leaves the Escape mostly untouched for its final year. The biggest change is the removal of the front-wheel-drive hybrid model. Every Escape hybrid now comes standard with Ford's Intelligent AWD system.

The Equinox, meanwhile, makes small changes, as Chevy redesigned much of it last year. Updates mostly focus on packaging and feature availability. On LT trims, the Convenience II package no longer bundles roof rails, although they can still be added through the sunroof package or Midnight Edition. Chevy also adds a standard drive mode selector across the lineup, while Polar White Tricoat paint becomes available on Activ and RS trims for buyers who want a more premium exterior finish.