Ford may be preparing a new hybrid crossover with an expected starting price of around $25,000, according to a report from Automotive News, as demand for more affordable vehicles grows. The unnamed model was reportedly shown during a private dealer meeting in Las Vegas and could become the most affordable vehicle in Ford’s lineup.
Ford May Be Planning a $25,000 Crossover
The potential new model would reportedly be a small crossover and could resemble the first-generation Ford Escape. The vehicle was disclosed during a private meeting for dealers in Las Vegas, with one attendee saying its design looked similar to the original Escape.
The report comes after the average transaction price of a new vehicle in the U.S. topped $50,000 for the first time last year, making affordability an increasingly important issue for car buyers.
Ford has reportedly considered bringing back a sedan after leaving the U.S. sedan segment in 2020. The automaker has also announced a more attainable electric truck despite discontinuing the F-150 Lightning.
The Crossover Gap Is Showing
The Escape was discontinued late last year as Ford began retooling its Louisville Assembly Plant for electric vehicle production. Although the crossover was a decent seller for Ford, it was not matching the sales numbers of compact crossover rivals such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
The reported replacement would occupy the small-crossover segment, which fits with its proposed starting price of around $25,000. That would place it in the same general price range as vehicles such as the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona.
For Ford, the model could provide a more affordable entry point into the brand. As of this writing, the Ford Maverick is the least expensive model in the lineup, with a starting MSRP of $28,145 before destination.
Ford’s upcoming electric truck, called the Fathom, is also expected to start below $30,000, as promised.
Ford’s $25,000 Crossover Could Arrive in 2029
If the current plans move forward, the $25,000 crossover could go on sale in 2029. It would reportedly be offered with gasoline and hybrid powertrains, giving buyers different options based on market preferences.
The report noted that demand for gasoline-only vehicles remains strong in the U.S., while hybrids have also been gaining ground as EV adoption slows following the expiration of federal tax credits and the loosening of emissions rules.
Still, the reported crossover remains at a very early stage. The details have not been finalized and were shared only with dealer executives, meaning the plans could change.
Ford Also Showed Dealers a Four-Door Mustang
Ford reportedly used the private dealer meeting to preview another potential model: a four-door Mustang. People who saw the car reportedly compared its size and design with the Porsche Panamera.
The four-door Mustang could reportedly start at less than $40,000, adding another potential new model to Ford’s plans discussed during the private meeting.
For now, the reported $25,000 crossover remains an early proposal rather than a finalized product. If the plan proceeds, it could give Ford a new small crossover positioned as its most affordable model when it potentially arrives in 2029.
