2026 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite: Lakeland Buyers Gu
Quick Answer: 2026 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite
ST-Line Elite is the tech-forward top of the sport-styled Escape ladder: the AWD hybrid starts at $37,210 MSRP, the 2.0L EcoBoost AWD version at $38,935 MSRP (both plus $1,495 destination). It's the first trim where the 13.2-inch center display, Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with adaptive cruise control, and wireless charging come standard rather than as an option, plus a 10-way power driver's seat and 19-inch machined-face wheels. The optional Premium Technology Package adds a 360-degree camera, B&O premium sound, and a head-up display.
Where the tech actually shows up
Every Escape has SYNC 4 and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, but ST-Line Elite is where the display physically grows — from the standard screen up to a 13.2-inch center display shared only with Platinum and the Plug-In Hybrid. It also standardizes Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which bundles adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, a feature that's an optional add-on (Tech Pack #1) on Active, ST-Line, and ST-Line Select. Wireless charging and heated front seats plus a heated flat-bottom steering wheel round out the cabin upgrades, all riding on 19-inch machined-face Ebony-painted wheels.
Like ST-Line Select, the trim offers a genuine engine choice: the 250-hp 2.0L EcoBoost AWD as the standard equipment tier, or the AWD-only 2.5L hybrid (192 hp, EPA-rated 42 city/36 highway/39 combined) at a lower starting price — $37,210 versus $38,935. The same counterintuitive pricing pattern from ST-Line Select carries through here.
The Premium Technology Package
ST-Line Elite is one of two trims (Platinum is the other) eligible for the Premium Technology Package, roughly $1,910. It adds a 360-degree camera for tighter parking around Lakeland's older shopping-center lots, a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, a head-up display, front parking sensors, reverse brake assist, and ActiveX seats with quilting and red accent stitching. It's the package that turns ST-Line Elite from "well-equipped sport trim" into something close to a luxury-compact experience without switching to Platinum's different seat material and trim theme.
ST-Line Elite versus Platinum
Both trims sit at similar money and share most of the same technology — 13.2-inch screen, Co-Pilot360 Assist+, wireless charging. The real difference is character: ST-Line Elite keeps the sport-line red stitching and 19-inch wheels aimed at buyers who want the Escape to look athletic, while Platinum swaps in ActiveX seating with perforated inserts and a more upscale, less overtly sporty trim theme. Cross-shop both before deciding — the price gap is small enough that it usually comes down to which cabin feels right, not which one is the better deal.
Frequently asked questions
Is adaptive cruise control standard on ST-Line Elite?
Yes — Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with adaptive cruise control comes standard here, unlike on Active, ST-Line, and ST-Line Select, where it requires an optional tech package.
What does the Premium Technology Package add?
A 360-degree camera, B&O premium sound, a head-up display, front parking sensors, reverse brake assist, and ActiveX quilted seats with red stitching, for roughly $1,910. It's optional, not standard, on ST-Line Elite.
Is the hybrid cheaper than the gas engine on ST-Line Elite too?
Yes — the 2.5L hybrid AWD starts at $37,210 versus $38,935 for the 2.0L EcoBoost AWD on this trim, the same pattern as ST-Line Select. Confirm current figures with Lakeland Ford, since option and package pricing can shift.
See the tech in person
The 13.2-inch display and Co-Pilot360 Assist+ are easier to appreciate behind the wheel than on a spec sheet — check current ST-Line Elite inventory or ask the Lakeland Ford sales team to walk through the Premium Technology Package options.
MSRP figures exclude 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 Ford.
