Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Cheap Cars Aren't Dead YetAfter the average transaction price of a new vehicle in the U.S. topped $50,000 for the first time last year, the need for affordability became more pressing. Ford has reportedly considered bringing back a sedan after exiting the segment in the U.S. in 2020 and has announced a more attainable electric truck even after discontinuing the F-150 Lightning.Now, Ford may be taking affordability even further. A report from Automotive News suggests that a new hybrid crossover with an expected starting price of around $25,000 may be in the pipeline – potentially making it the most affordable model in the lineup. The unnamed product was disclosed during a private meeting for dealers in Las Vegas, with one attendee saying it resembled the first-generation Escape.FordThe Crossover Gap Is ShowingThe Escape was discontinued late last year as Ford began retooling its Louisville Assembly Plant for electric vehicle production. It was a decent seller for the brand but wasn't pulling the same numbers as compact crossover rivals such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe report described the potential Escape replacement as a small crossover, which would be in line with its proposed $25,000 price. That's in the same ballpark as alternatives such as the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona. For car buyers, that simply means a more attainable path into the Blue Oval brand.As of this writing, the Ford Maverick is the most affordable model in the lineup, with a starting MSRP of $28,145 before destination. The upcoming electric truck, called the Fathom, also starts at under $30,000, as promised.FordConsider This a Very Early PreviewIf things go according to plan, the $25,000 crossover could go on sale in 2029. It will reportedly be available in gasoline and hybrid variants, allowing it to cater to different market preferences, especially considering that demand for gasoline-only vehicles remains strong in the U.S. Hybrids have also been gaining ground as EV adoption slows following the expiration of federal tax credits and the loosening of emissions rules.However, these details have not been finalized and were shared only with dealer executives, so take them with a grain of salt.AdvertisementAdvertisementFord also showed dealers a four-door Mustang at the private meeting. People who saw the car reportedly likened its size and design to the Porsche Panamera, and it could start at less than $40,000.FordView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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