We're excited to share the impressive safety achievements of the 2026 Ford Escape. This compact SUV continues Ford's commitment to protecting families with advanced safety technology and outstanding crash test performance.
At Gilboy Ford in Whitehall Township, PA, we understand that safety is your top priority when choosing a vehicle for your family. The 2026 Ford Escape delivers peace of mind with its comprehensive suite of safety features and excellent ratings from leading safety organizations.
Outstanding Safety Achievement
The 2026 Ford Escape earned a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA and was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. These awards recognize the Escape's exceptional protection and advanced safety technology.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the 2026 Ford Escape's safety ratings and features. We'll explain how Ford's Co-Pilot360 technology works to prevent accidents and protect you when they happen. From automatic emergency braking to blind spot monitoring, you'll discover why the Escape stands out in the competitive compact SUV market.
2026 Ford Escape NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings
At Gilboy Ford, we're proud to showcase the 2026 Ford Escape's excellent safety ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) both gave the Escape top marks for protection.
These ratings come from tough crash tests that check how well vehicles protect people in real-world accidents. The Escape's strong body structure and smart safety features helped it earn these high scores.
NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
The NHTSA gave the 2026 Ford Escape a perfect 5-star overall safety rating. This score comes from testing in several key areas that matter most to families.
Frontal Crash Test
5 out of 5 stars for driver and passenger protection in head-on collisions
Side Impact Test
5 out of 5 stars for protection during side-impact crashes
Rollover Rating
4 out of 5 stars with a low rollover risk of 11.5%
The Escape's high-strength steel safety cage helps protect passengers during crashes. Ford engineers designed the frame to absorb impact energy while keeping the passenger area safe. This smart design is why the Escape scored so well in NHTSA testing.
IIHS Top Safety Pick Award
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2026 Ford Escape a Top Safety Pick. This award recognizes vehicles that perform well in all IIHS crash tests and have good headlight performance.
The Escape earned "Good" ratings in all major crash tests, including the tough small overlap front test. The LED headlights also received a "Good" rating for visibility, which helps prevent nighttime accidents.
Our customers in Whitehall Township appreciate knowing their Escape meets the highest safety standards. These awards give families confidence when driving on busy Pennsylvania roads.
The 2026 Ford Escape showcasing its advanced safety technology and protective design
Ford Co-Pilot360 Safety Technology Features
We're excited to explain Ford's Co-Pilot360 technology that comes standard on every 2026 Ford Escape. This suite of smart safety features works like a co-pilot to help prevent accidents and protect your family.
Co-Pilot360 uses cameras, radar, and sensors to watch the road around your Escape. These systems can react faster than human drivers to help avoid crashes or reduce their impact.
Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
The Pre-Collision Assist system watches for vehicles and pedestrians ahead of your Escape. If it detects a possible crash, it warns you first. If you don't respond quickly enough, the system can automatically apply the brakes.
This feature works at speeds up to 50 mph for vehicles and 37 mph for pedestrians. Our customers tell us this gives them extra confidence when driving through busy areas in Allentown and Bethlehem.
The system uses a camera and radar to spot dangers day and night. It's especially helpful in situations where a child might run into the street or when traffic stops suddenly.
Blind Spot Information System
The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) uses radar sensors to watch areas you can't see in your mirrors. When a vehicle enters your blind spot, a light appears in your side mirror.
If you turn on your signal while someone is in your blind spot, the light flashes and you hear a warning tone. This helps prevent dangerous lane changes on highways like Route 22 and Interstate 78.
Cross Traffic Alert works with BLIS when you're backing out of parking spaces. It warns you about vehicles approaching from either side, which is very helpful in busy parking lots.
Lane Keeping System and Driver Alerts
Lane Keeping System helps you stay in your lane on highways and main roads. If you start to drift without signaling, it gently steers you back into your lane.
The system works with Lane Departure Warning, which alerts you when you're leaving your lane. Together, these features help prevent accidents caused by drowsy or distracted driving.
Driver Alert technology monitors your driving patterns and suggests taking a break if it detects signs of drowsiness. This is especially useful on long trips or during late-night driving.
Advanced Driver Assistance and Crash Prevention
The 2026 Ford Escape goes beyond basic safety with advanced driver assistance features. These systems help make driving easier and safer in all kinds of situations our Pennsylvania customers face.
Ford designed these features to work together as a team. They share information to give you the best protection possible while keeping the driving experience natural and comfortable.
Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go
Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control maintains a safe distance from the car ahead of you. Unlike regular cruise control, it can slow down and speed up automatically to match traffic flow.
The Stop-and-Go feature can even bring your Escape to a complete stop in heavy traffic, then resume when traffic moves again. This reduces stress during rush hour commutes on Route 309 or Interstate 476.
You can adjust the following distance to match your comfort level. The system uses radar to track vehicles up to 500 feet ahead, giving it plenty of time to react smoothly.
Evasive Steering Assist
Evasive Steering Assist helps you steer around obstacles when braking alone won't prevent a crash. The system calculates the best path around an obstacle and provides steering assistance.
This feature works with the Pre-Collision Assist system. If automatic braking isn't enough to avoid a crash, Evasive Steering Assist helps guide you around the danger.
The system only activates when sensors detect you have enough space to safely steer around an obstacle. It's designed to help in emergency situations while keeping you in control.
Post-Impact Braking
After a crash, Post-Impact Braking automatically applies the brakes to help prevent additional collisions. This feature can reduce the chance of being hit again or hitting something else.
The system activates when airbags deploy, helping bring your Escape to a controlled stop. This gives you time to recover and assess the situation safely.
Airbag System and Passive Safety Protection
The 2026 Ford Escape protects you with a comprehensive airbag system designed for real-world crash scenarios. Ford engineers studied thousands of accidents to create an airbag system that provides the right protection at the right time.
Beyond airbags, the Escape's body structure uses advanced materials and smart design to protect passengers. Every part of the safety system works together to keep you and your family safe.
Seven-Airbag Protection System
The Escape comes with seven airbags strategically placed throughout the cabin. Dual-stage front airbags adjust their deployment based on crash severity and seat position.
| Airbag Type | Location | Protection Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-Stage Front | Driver and Passenger | Head and chest protection in frontal crashes |
| Side-Impact | Front Seats | Torso protection in side crashes |
| Side-Curtain | All Rows | Head protection for all passengers |
| Driver Knee | Under Dashboard | Lower leg protection for driver |
Side-curtain airbags extend from the front to the rear seats, protecting all passengers' heads during side impacts or rollovers. The driver knee airbag helps prevent leg injuries in frontal crashes.
High-Strength Steel Safety Cage
The Escape's body uses high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel in key areas. This creates a strong safety cage that protects passengers while allowing controlled deformation in crash zones.
Ford designed specific areas to absorb crash energy before it reaches passengers. The front and rear crumple zones work like shock absorbers, slowing down the impact forces.
Door frames use ultra-high-strength steel to resist intrusion during side impacts. This helps keep the passenger space intact even in severe crashes.
Interior view showing the 2026 Ford Escape's safety features and protective design elements
How the 2026 Escape Compares to Other Compact SUVs
At Gilboy Ford, we help customers understand how the 2026 Ford Escape's safety features compare to other compact SUVs. The Escape consistently ranks among the safest vehicles in its class.
When you compare safety ratings and standard features, the Escape offers more protection for the money. Many competitors charge extra for safety features that come standard on the Escape.
Safety Rating Comparison
The Escape's 5-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick award put it ahead of many competitors. Some popular compact SUVs only earn 4-star overall ratings or miss the Top Safety Pick designation.
| Vehicle | NHTSA Overall | IIHS Award | Standard Safety Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ford Escape | 5 Stars | Top Safety Pick | Co-Pilot360 Standard |
| Honda CR-V | 5 Stars | Top Safety Pick | Honda Sensing Standard |
| Toyota RAV4 | 4 Stars | Top Safety Pick+ | Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 |
| Nissan Rogue | 5 Stars | Not Awarded | Nissan Safety Shield 360 |
The Escape's Co-Pilot360 system includes features that some competitors offer only on higher trim levels. This means you get advanced safety technology even on base Escape models.
Value and Standard Equipment
Ford includes more safety features as standard equipment compared to many competitors. Features like Evasive Steering Assist and Post-Impact Braking aren't available on all rival SUVs.
The Escape also offers available features like Active Park Assist and 360-degree cameras that make parking safer and easier. These technologies help prevent low-speed accidents in parking lots and tight spaces.
Our customers appreciate getting advanced safety technology without paying extra. The Escape delivers premium safety features at a competitive price point.
Experience the 2026 Ford Escape's Safety Features at Gilboy Ford
Visit us at Gilboy Ford in Whitehall Township to see why the 2026 Ford Escape is one of the safest compact SUVs available. Our team will show you how Co-Pilot360 technology works and explain each safety feature in detail.
We invite you to take a test drive and experience features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping System firsthand. You'll see how these technologies make driving easier and safer on Pennsylvania roads.
Our safety experts can answer all your questions about crash test ratings, airbag systems, and driver assistance features. We'll help you understand how the Escape's safety technology protects your family in real-world driving situations.
Call us at 610-434-4211 to schedule your test drive or visit our showroom to explore the complete 2026 Ford Escape lineup. Discover why families in the Lehigh Valley choose the Escape for its outstanding safety and peace of mind.