It’s interesting how trim packages have evolved. Perhaps there was once a time when there were “luxury cars” and “budget cars”, but now so many vehicles cast their nets widely so as to cover the whole gambit (from budget to luxury) under one nameplate. Most vehicles have a baseline trim, which provides enough nice features to make it worthwhile, but overall sticks to the basics to offer a budgetary option; from there, you work your way up through the mid-level trim to the top-level trim (or trims) where you’ll find the finest materials, the most advanced tech features, and the best comfort and convenience technologies.
It’s easy to track the changes from the baseline trim to the top-level trim, but oftentimes the in-between trims can be a bit trickier to understand and navigate. Let’s say, for example, you go look at a Ford Escape for sale; for the 2025 model year, you’ll see a stark difference between the baseline Active trim and the top-level Platinum trim. But, what about everything in-between?
The Escape’s ST-line trims account for three whole trims between the Active and Platinum models. Between the ST-Line, ST-Line Select, and ST-Line Elite, you’ll find an array of varying features. Those seeking maximum sport will likely go straight to the Platinum trim, but for those who can’t go for the most expensive option, a great question is: how sporty are the Escape ST-Line trims? It’s a bit of a complicated answer without a definitive conclusion. Of course, different drivers have different standards for what is considered “sporty.” Moreover, the three trim levels do vary in degrees of sportiness. So, let’s look at each one and see just how sporty each 2025 Escape ST-Line trim can be.
Defining Sportiness
Let’s start by defining our criteria for a vehicle’s “sportiness.” While you may have your own definitions of sportiness, for the sake of this exercise, let’s say that sportiness refers to a combination of capable, athletic-leaning driving and stylish design features making for a luxury in-vehicle experience. Sometimes, there can be a bit of tension between the idea of “sport vs sporty,” arguing that “sport” refers to performance capability while “sporty” refers to design and luxury. While there is truth in that, I’m honestly curious to dig into both, so let’s use both as our criteria for today.
ST-Line
The 2025 Escape ST-Line trim is actually just one step up from the baseline Active trim. With their MSRPs being just under $1,000 apart ($995 to be exact), the initial assumption would be that the ST-line is only a slight step above the baseline. While the ST-Line trim is certainly not as big of a leap as some of the higher-level trims, the increase in value for that extra $995 is actually quite significant.
With the ST-Line trim offering an available 2.5-liter iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 hybrid engine, it’s clear that the ST-Line trims take their sport performance seriously. This, combined with Sport handling suspension and tuning on its AWD models as well as selectable drive modes (neither of which are available on the baseline Active trim), means that the ST-Line actually provides more sport performance than you might expect for the first vehicle in the ST-Line(up).
The ST-Line’s exterior sits atop 18-inch Rock Metallic-painted aluminum wheels, communicating that the vehicle is ready to rev up and perform. Inside, you’ll find features like sport contour bucket seats and an aluminum foot pedal, leaning into Ford’s racing history in the ranks of the Mustang. The ST-Line takes the “Sport” portion of its “Sports Technologies” name very seriously. While you might expect some mere cosmetic upgrades from the Active trim to the ST-Line, the ST entry-level trim actually provides authentic sportiness in terms of performance and design.
ST-Line’s Sportiness Verdict: Sporty.
ST-Line Select
The ST-Line Select takes the foundation of the ST-Line and expounds on it with some additional comfort and convenience features. Offering the same powertrain and sports-oriented suspension, any increase in sportiness on the ST-Line Select will come from design features rather than performance capability.
Now, that’s not to say that the ST-Line Select is lacking in performance capability; it is just as capable as the ST-Line. But, the design and technology features are what really drive the ST-Line Select. The exterior takes the wheel game a bit further with 19-inch machine-faced Ebony-painted aluminum wheels. While the ST-Line’s wheels look nice and sporty, these wheels definitely take the flare level up a notch.
Inside the vehicle, you’ll have a more comfortable ride with heated front seats. While not a cosmetic feature, this goes a long way for driver and passenger comfort, especially when the winter weather gets harsh. Those seats also include unique ST-Line badging, crafting a feeling of sporty athleticism. Aside from being foldable (40/60 split), the rear seats are also slidable, allowing you to strike the right balance between passenger and cargo space.
The ST-Line Select is a higher-tech model with an available 13.2-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen (as opposed to an 8-inch screen in the ST-Line). Additionally, an available wireless charging pad adds a spark of tech excellence and convenience, allowing drivers and passengers to charge personal devices on the go without needing a chord.
Another significant technology advantage of the ST-Select is the Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0. While the ST-Line offers regular Ford Co-Pilot 360, the Assist 2.0 package offers even more advanced driver assistance features, increasing safety and ease of maneuvering. While sportiness and safety technology are not always directly related, Ford’s complex tech package certainly adds to the feeling of advancement and edginess. The ST-Line Select certainly takes the sportiness up by several notches.
ST-Line Select Sportiness Verdict: Highly Sporty.
ST-Line Elite
As you may have assumed, the ST-Line Elite serves as the ST-Line’s premiere trim. Interestingly, the upgrades in this trim are less cosmetic-related and more performance-related. While the ST-Line Elite offers all the same powertrain options as the ST-Line and ST-Line Select, it adds the option of a hybrid option. With hybrids providing exceptional fuel efficiency, the ST-Line Elite indubitably offers the best performance capability. This is especially enjoyable when you have plenty of open roads to traverse.
Hybrid vehicles are in right now, and it’s the closest you can get without going all-electric. The performance capability is thrilling, and the fuel efficiency speaks for itself.
The ST-Elite offers the sharpest design, the most exciting driving, and the most holistic sportiness of the three ST-Line trims.
ST-Line Elite Sportiness Verdict: Maximum Sportiness.
Sport and Sporty
No matter how you cut it, the 2025 Escape’s ST-Line trims are offering sport and sportiness. With highly-athletic driving capability and suspension, cutting-edge design features, and advanced technology, the Escape provides more than you would expect from merely looking at it. While the ST-Line Elite is certainly impressive, I do think the regular ST-Line trim deserves a great deal of credit for how much it offers at just a $995 MSRP increase from the baseline Active trim.
I do think it’s an interesting study of how one nameplate captures the whole gambit of baseline functionality to high-level luxury. Ranging from standard direct injection to hybrid, the ST-Line trims really do take the idea of sports driving seriously, and they provide authentically sporty design features. There’s a lot going on with the Escape’s ST-Line trims. If you have the chance to get behind the wheel of one, I’d jump at the opportunity.
