The new, sub-$35,000 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid improves on yet another affordable option for buyers not ready to make the EV plunge

• The all-new Ford Escape plug-in hybrid will start "under $35,000," according to Ford.
• Its EPA-estimated fuel economy rating is 100 MPGe miles combined, and it has a claimed all-electric range of 37 miles.
• The new Escape is another example of a capable plug-in hybrid offering lower emissions and the benefits of a crossover with a base price that won't make your eyes water.

In addition to the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime, buyers will soon have another relatively affordable, new plug-in hybrid with impressive range to choose from — this time, with a Ford badge.

The all-new, 2020 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid uses Ford's fourth-generation hybrid system to produce an EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating of 100 MPGe combined, along with an all-electric range of 37 miles. And, best of all, it will have a starting MSRP of "under $35,000," Ford announced on Monday.

The new plug-in Escape will be available on all trim levels except the S and SE Sport — the Escape's lower trims. Ford offers the current plug-in hybrid Escape on the top SE, SEL, and Titanium trims.

Although Ford didn't announce exact pricing at this time, the new Escape plug-in hybrid already seems like it will be a few thousand dollars cheaper than the RAV4 Prime, which will start at $38,100. Its fuel-economy rating is also better than the Toyota's, which is a manufacturer-estimated 94 MPGe combined.

However! The RAV4 Prime, despite being more expensive, will be tough to pass up.

In addition to being based on Toyota's most popular car — yes, the sales numbers back that up — the RAV4 Prime has a few better specs. It has a better all-electric range of 42 miles, standard all-wheel drive, and more horsepower. AWD is typically preferred for harsher driving conditions and areas with inclement weather, and Toyota claims the RAV4 Prime will have 302 horsepower while Autoblog reports the Escape will have 200 horsepower.

The Ford Escape is historically a front-wheel drive model, and it's not clear if the new plug-in hybrid version will offer AWD.

In any case, though, more plug-in hybrid models on the market is only a good thing. Their all-electric ranges are generally adequate for people tooling around locally and running errands. Any distance more than that and there's a gasoline engine to fall back on.

They're also a good compromise for people who want a car with lower emissions and better economy but aren't quite ready to fully commit to a purely electric car.

Ford didn't specify when the new Escape plug-in hybrid would go on sale, but based on the 2020 model year, it should be available before we hit 2021.