The Last of the Ford Escape: 2026 Is the Final Model Year

After 25 years and millions of vehicles, the Ford Escape is ending. Production on the 2026 Escape has officially wrapped — making this the final year of one of Ford's most successful family SUVs ever built. We have a small number of 2026 Escapes left at Jay Malone Ford. Once they're gone, they're gone. If you've been thinking about an Escape, this is the moment.

The End Of An Era

The Ford Escape launched in 2001. For 25 years, it has been one of the most popular family SUVs on American roads. Hutchinson families have used Escapes for school pickups, weekend drives to the lake, daily commutes, road trips, and the quiet everyday work of moving life forward. For a lot of our customers, the Escape was their first new car, their first family SUV, or the vehicle they bought when their kids outgrew the sedan. It earned its place by being reliable, comfortable, efficient, and right-sized for the way real families live.

Ford has confirmed that 2026 is the final model year. Production has ended. There will not be a 2027 Escape. After 25 years, the nameplate is retiring — and the 2026 Escapes still on dealer lots across the country are the last ones that will ever be built.

Why This Is Different From A Normal Model Year Ending

In a normal year, a Ford model year ends and the next one starts. There's no real urgency — the 2027 will look a lot like the 2026, ordering reopens in a few months, and inventory keeps flowing.

This is different. The 2026 Escape is the final Escape. Once dealers across the country sell through their remaining inventory, you cannot buy a new Escape. That's it. The lots that have them now are the only place to get one. There's no future order to wait on. There's no "we'll have more in a few months." When ours are gone, our Escapes are gone for good.

We've Been Getting Calls From Dealers Across The Country

Here's something interesting that's happened over the past few weeks: dealers from across the country have been calling Jay Malone Ford asking if we'd sell our remaining 2026 Escapes to them. Their lots have sold through, their customers are still asking, and our remaining allocation has become valuable on the dealer-to-dealer market.

Our answer has been the same every time: these are for our Hutchinson neighbors first.

Since 2005, that's how Jay Malone Ford has done business. The dealership exists because our community has supported the family business for 20 years. When demand outstrips supply, the right move is to take care of the people who showed up first — our McLeod County neighbors. That's not a marketing line. That's how my dad Jay built this place, and that's how we still run it.

If you've been thinking about an Escape but kept putting it off, this is the part that matters: your local Ford dealer is choosing to keep the last 2026 Escapes available for you rather than sell them to someone in another state. But the longer you wait, the more likely it is that someone else in our community walks in first.

What Ford Recommends For Escape Shoppers

If you miss out on the 2026 Escape, Ford is recommending two replacement vehicles for Escape shoppers depending on what you're looking for:

Both are excellent vehicles in their own right — but neither is the Escape. If the Escape's specific combination of size, efficiency, and price has been what you've wanted, this is your last chance to get one new.

How To Get One Before They're Gone

The fastest way to claim one of our remaining 2026 Escapes is to call us directly. Our team will walk you through what we have left, the trim and color options still on the lot, and get you scheduled for a test drive. If one of our remaining Escapes is the right fit for you, we'll handle the financing and trade-in conversation right then.

Jay Malone Ford has been selling Escapes to our Hutchinson neighbors for two decades. We've built relationships with families who are now on their third or fourth Escape. We know this vehicle, we know what makes it work for central Minnesota life, and we know the questions you're going to ask before you ask them. Walk in, call in, or stop by — we'll take care of you.

Is Ford really discontinuing the Escape?

Yes. Ford has confirmed that 2026 is the final model year for the Escape. Production has ended and there will not be a 2027 Escape. After 25 years on the market, the nameplate is being retired.

How many 2026 Escapes does Jay Malone Ford have left?

Our remaining allocation is finite and changing weekly. Call us at (320) 587-4748 for the current count, available trims, and color options still on the lot.

What is replacing the Ford Escape?

Ford is recommending the Bronco Sport or the Explorer for Escape shoppers. The Bronco Sport is similar in size with stronger off-road credentials. The Explorer is the next size up with three rows and more cargo space. Both are excellent vehicles, but neither replaces the Escape's specific combination of size, efficiency, and price.

Can I still order a 2026 Escape?

No. Production on the 2026 Escape has officially ended. The only way to get a new 2026 Escape is to buy one from a dealer's existing inventory. Once those are gone, there will not be more.

Will the Escape still have warranty and service support?

Yes. Ford continues to honor all manufacturer warranty coverage on the Escape, and our service department will continue to maintain and repair Escapes for the full life of the vehicle. Parts availability is supported through Ford for the long term.

Does Jay Malone Ford accept trade-ins on a 2026 Escape purchase?

Yes. We'll take any vehicle in on trade and apply its value toward your 2026 Escape purchase. Start by using our online trade valuation tool or call us at (320) 587-4748 and we'll walk through it.