There are cars you drive because you have to. There are others you drive because you want to. Then there’s the 2025 Ford Escape - that rare crossover SUV that checks all the boxes and doesn’t ask you to explain your budget to your accountant afterward.

Let’s be honest: driving in Clifton - or anywhere in North Jersey, really - demands a certain level of flexibility. You’ve got construction zones that appear overnight, potholes with their own ecosystems, and parallel parking scenarios that would make a Tetris champion sweat. The Escape handles all of it like it’s been here before. Because it has.

The 2025 model isn’t some radical reinvention. It’s a sharp, comfortable, capable SUV that’s gotten smarter, more efficient, and more tuned into your actual day-to-day life. Grocery runs, road trips, school drop-offs, late-night drive-thrus - the Escape gets it.

The Escape has always been that just-right SUV - not too big, not too small, easy to park, and easier to live with. The 2025 version builds on that Goldilocks appeal with updated tech, improved fuel economy, and a more refined ride. It feels more solid, more modern, and less like a utility vehicle trying to be something it’s not.

Design-wise, it’s clean and confident. A slightly updated grille, sleek lighting, and a new tailgate design give it a bit of fresh edge, without trying to be something it isn’t (looking at you, aggressively styled SUVs with no legroom).

Inside, the Escape gets a tech upgrade with the latest SYNC 4 infotainment system, a 13.2-inch touchscreen that’s responsive and easy to use, and a new digital cluster that looks like it came from something way more expensive. Everything’s laid out with actual human logic - buttons where buttons should be, and no unnecessary swipes just to change the A/C.

The 2025 Ford Escape lineup gives you real choices. Whether you want simple and efficient or stylish and decked-out, you’re covered:

• Active – The entry-level trim, but not in a “bare bones” way. Solid features, great mileage, and everything you need for city driving or long commutes.

• ST-Line – Sporty design details, a firmer suspension, and a touch more attitude. Great for folks who don’t want to blend in.

• ST-Line Select & Elite – More premium touches, AWD, and tech packages that bring the Escape close to luxury territory without the luxury payments.

• Platinum – You get the works: leather trim, upgraded sound, power liftgate, and more.

• Plug-In Hybrid – Electric-only driving for short commutes, gas when you need it. It's the best of both drive worlds.

Whether you’re commuting to Newark or heading to the Catskills, there’s a trim that fits how you actually drive.

Ford gets that not every Escape buyer wants to win drag races. But that doesn’t mean you want something that drives like a toaster. That’s why the Escape offers smart engine choices:

• A 1.5L EcoBoost^® for solid everyday performance and great gas mileage.

• A 2.0L EcoBoost^® for those who like a bit more kick (perfect for Parkway merges).

• The available hybrid and plug-in hybrid models that deliver serious savings and fewer stops at gas stations - especially nice with North Jersey prices.

The Escape is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, so if your street doesn’t get plowed until three days after a snowstorm, you’re covered.

The 2025 Escape comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360^™, which isn’t just a fancy name - it’s a full suite of driver-assist features that work in the background while you just focus on getting through another jughandle without losing your mind.

That includes:

• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS^®) with Cross-Traffic Alert

• Lane-Keeping System

• Rear View Camera

• Available Active Park Assist - yes, it can help you parallel park in Montclair

You’ll use these features more than you expect, especially around town where drivers sometimes make “creative” decisions at stop signs.

Let’s not pretend cargo space doesn’t matter. The Escape has plenty of it. Groceries. Soccer gear. A last-minute folding table for that thing your cousin forgot to tell you about. With the second row folded, you’ve got over 65 cubic feet of cargo space to work with. Even with the seats up, you can fit a full Costco haul - snacks included.

Passengers get plenty of legroom, even in the back. The ride is quiet and smooth, even over Passaic’s worst-maintained roads. And if you go for a higher trim, the cabin gets surprisingly upscale - soft-touch materials, ambient lighting, and a center console that fits more than just your phone.

We get it - you’ve got options. But Fette Ford isn’t just another big-box dealership off Route 46. We’ve been here long enough to know what local drivers need, and we actually like helping people find the right fit.

When you buy your Escape from us, you get:

• Transparent pricing with no weird add-ons

• Friendly staff who actually know the difference between trims

• Lease and financing offers that work for real-life budgets

• Trade-in values that don’t require a negotiation seminar

• A service department that picks up the phone and remembers your name

Plus, we’re 10 minutes from your house, not 45 minutes into the middle of nowhere

Is the 2025 Ford Escape in stock now?
Yes - we regularly stock multiple trims, including hybrids and plug-ins. You can test drive today.

What kind of gas mileage does it get?
The standard 1.5L EcoBoost gets an EPA-estimated up to 34 MPG highway. The hybrid and plug-in models go even further - some electric-only driving depending on range.

Is AWD available?
Absolutely. Most trims offer AWD as an option. It’s a great choice for winter driving in Clifton or anywhere else north of I-78.

Does it qualify for any tax credits or rebates?
The plug-in hybrid version may qualify for federal EV incentives, and New Jersey has no sales tax on zero-emission vehicles. Ask our team - we’ll help you get every dollar possible.

Is it good for families?
Yes. Two car seats fit easily in the back. Rear doors open wide for easy loading. There’s room for strollers, snacks, and backseat negotiations.

How often does it need maintenance?
Like most modern Fords, maintenance is minimal. Oil changes, tire rotations, and inspections - all easy. And hybrid models need even less frequent service.

You don’t need a huge SUV to feel comfortable. And you don’t need to break the bank to get something reliable, smart, and fun to drive. The 2025 Ford Escape offers all that and more - and it’s sitting right here at Fette Ford in Clifton, NJ.

If you’re ready for a better daily drive - one that won’t fight you every time you hit a pothole or a parallel parking space - stop in. We’ll toss you the keys, point you toward the exit, and let the Escape do what it does best: handle your life, without the drama.