With production ending on the Ford Escape after 25 years, a lot of Escape Hybrid drivers in McLeod County are starting to ask the same question: what comes next? Ford is pointing shoppers toward the Bronco Sport or the Explorer. Both are good options. But there's a third vehicle in the same compact-SUV-hybrid segment that's worth knowing about: the 2026 Jeep Cherokee Hybrid. Our team at Jay Malone CDJR put both vehicles side-by-side so you can see how they compare.
Why We Made This Comparison
The Ford Escape Hybrid has been a really good vehicle. We sold a lot of them over the years on the Ford side of our family business, and we have customers who are on their second or third Escape. With the nameplate ending after 2026, those drivers are facing a real decision — and we want them to have honest information about all their options, not just the ones we happen to sell.
Ben from our team walked through both the 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid and the 2026 Jeep Cherokee Hybrid in a head-to-head video so you can compare them on your own terms. The goal isn't to tell you which one is better — both are good vehicles. The goal is to help you understand what each one does well so you can decide which one fits your life best.
What Ben Covers In The Video
Ben takes you through both vehicles side-by-side, covering the kinds of details that actually matter when you're deciding which one to buy:
Covered In The Comparison
- Exterior styling — how each one looks and what that says about its personality
- Interior space, materials, and feel — what you and your passengers actually experience
- Technology and infotainment — how each one's screens and controls work day-to-day
- Hybrid powertrain — how each system delivers efficiency
- Cargo space and family usability — how each fits a typical Hutchinson family's life
- Drive feel — what you notice when you actually get behind the wheel
A Quick Framework For Deciding
Watching the video is the best way to compare them honestly. But if you want a shortcut, here's how the two vehicles tend to fit different priorities:
If You Lean Cherokee Hybrid
- You like a more distinctive, rugged-looking SUV
- You value Jeep's off-road capability heritage
- You want a vehicle that stands out in a parking lot
- You're open to trying something different from your last Escape
If You Might Lean Toward A Ford Alternative
- You strongly prefer staying with the Ford brand — the Bronco Sport and Explorer are Ford's recommended replacements
- You want a three-row option — the Explorer offers that, the Cherokee doesn't
- You want strong off-road credentials and styling — the Bronco Sport leans into that hard
Worth knowing: Jay Malone Motors sells both Ford and Jeep. If after watching the video you decide a Bronco Sport or Explorer fits your life better, our Ford team can help you with that too. Same family, same dealership ownership, same commitment to finding you the right vehicle — not just selling you what we have on the lot today.
Test Drive Both, Then Decide
A video can only do so much. The real way to know which compact hybrid SUV is right for you is to sit in both. Drive both. Feel the difference between the seats, the steering, the visibility, the way each one handles a Hutchinson back road. Compare how the cargo area works for your real-world gear.
We make that easy. Schedule a side-by-side test drive at Jay Malone and we'll have a Cherokee Hybrid ready to drive. If you also want to compare against the remaining 2026 Escape Hybrids we have, our Ford team is right next door — we can set up both drives in the same afternoon.
Is the Jeep Cherokee Hybrid the same size as the Ford Escape Hybrid?
Both are compact hybrid SUVs in the same general segment, with similar footprints and seating capacity. There are subtle differences in cargo space, ground clearance, and interior dimensions — Ben covers those in the comparison video.
Why is the Ford Escape going away?
Ford has confirmed that 2026 is the final model year for the Escape after 25 years on the market. Production has ended. Ford is recommending the Bronco Sport or the Explorer as alternatives, but the Jeep Cherokee Hybrid is also worth considering — it's in the same compact hybrid SUV segment with its own distinct strengths. Call us at (320) 587-4748 to schedule a test drive.
Can I trade in my Ford Escape on a Jeep Cherokee at Jay Malone?
Yes. We'll take any vehicle in on trade and apply its value toward your new Jeep Cherokee Hybrid. Our online trade valuation tool gives you a starting estimate, and we'll finalize the trade-in value when we see the vehicle in person.
Does the Jeep Cherokee Hybrid have off-road capability?
Jeep has built its brand on off-road capability across the lineup. The Cherokee Hybrid carries the Jeep heritage of trail-rated performance, with details that vary by trim. Ben covers the off-road-relevant features in the video walkthrough.
Can I test drive both the Cherokee Hybrid and the Escape Hybrid at Jay Malone in the same visit?
Yes. Jay Malone Motors owns both the CDJR and Ford franchises. If you call ahead, we can have both vehicles ready and coordinate the drives so you can compare them back-to-back in the same afternoon.
Does Jay Malone CDJR charge extra to special-order a Cherokee Hybrid?
No. We've never charged extra to locate or special-order a vehicle for a customer. If we don't have the exact Cherokee Hybrid you want on the lot, we'll order it — at the same price you'd pay for one in stock.
About the Author
I'm Jordan Malone-Forst, Assistant General Manager at Jay Malone Motors in Hutchinson, MN. Our family has been helping central Minnesotans find the right Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, and Ford since 2005. If you're an Escape driver thinking about what's next, call us at (320) 587-4748. We'll help you find the right next vehicle — whether that's a Cherokee Hybrid, a Bronco Sport, an Explorer, or one of the remaining 2026 Escapes we still have on the lot.