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Ford Escape Vs Subaru Outback: The Ultimate Showdown For Compact Suv Supremacy

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • The Ford Escape and Subaru Outback both offer a variety of engine options, but the Subaru Outback has a slight edge in terms of performance.
  • The Escape is a more affordable option with a wider range of available features, while the Outback has a more powerful engine, a more comfortable interior, and a more comprehensive suite of safety features.
  • If you’re looking for a more powerful SUV with a more comfortable interior and a more comprehensive suite of safety features, the Subaru Outback is a great choice.

The Ford Escape and Subaru Outback are two of the most popular compact SUVs on the market. Both vehicles offer a spacious interior, plenty of cargo space, and a variety of features that make them ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts. But which one is the better choice? In this blog post, we’ll compare the Ford Escape and Subaru Outback head-to-head to help you decide which one is right for you.

Performance

The Ford Escape and Subaru Outback both offer a variety of engine options, but the Subaru Outback has a slight edge in terms of performance. The base engine in the Outback is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The Escape, on the other hand, comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque.

However, the Outback is also available with a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine gives the Outback a significant advantage in terms of acceleration and towing capacity.

Fuel Efficiency

The Ford Escape is more fuel-efficient than the Subaru Outback. The Escape gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway with the base engine. The Outback, on the other hand, gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway with the base engine.

The Outback’s fuel economy drops to 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with the more powerful turbocharged engine.

Interior

The Ford Escape and Subaru Outback both have spacious interiors with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The Escape has a slightly larger interior than the Outback, with more headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats.

However, the Outback has a more comfortable interior with higher-quality materials. The Outback also has a larger cargo area than the Escape, with 35.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down. The Escape has 33.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 65.4 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down.

Features

The Ford Escape and Subaru Outback both offer a variety of features, but the Outback has a slight edge in this area. The Outback comes standard with a larger touchscreen infotainment system, a more comprehensive suite of safety features, and a more powerful audio system.

The Escape, on the other hand, offers a more affordable price point and a wider range of available features.

Safety

The Ford Escape and Subaru Outback both received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the Outback received a slightly higher score in the side crash test.

The Outback also comes standard with a more comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Escape only offers these features as options.

Reliability

The Ford Escape and Subaru Outback both have a good reputation for reliability. However, the Outback has a slight edge in this area. The Outback has been ranked higher in reliability surveys than the Escape in recent years.

Price

The Ford Escape has a starting price of $24,885, while the Subaru Outback has a starting price of $26,645. However, the Escape offers a wider range of available features, so it’s possible to get a fully-loaded Escape for less than a fully-loaded Outback.

Verdict

The Ford Escape and Subaru Outback are both excellent compact SUVs with a lot to offer. The Escape is a more affordable option with a wider range of available features, while the Outback has a more powerful engine, a more comfortable interior, and a more comprehensive suite of safety features.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for an affordable SUV with a lot of features, the Ford Escape is a great choice. If you’re looking for a more powerful SUV with a more comfortable interior and a more comprehensive suite of safety features, the Subaru Outback is a great choice.

Which Car is Better for Off-Roading?

The Subaru Outback is better for off-roading than the Ford Escape. The Outback has a higher ground clearance, a more robust all-wheel-drive system, and a more rugged suspension. The Escape, on the other hand, is better suited for on-road driving.

Which Car has a Better Warranty?

The Subaru Outback has a better warranty than the Ford Escape. The Outback comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Escape, on the other hand, comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Answers to Your Questions

Q: Which car has a more comfortable ride?
A: The Subaru Outback has a more comfortable ride than the Ford Escape. The Outback has a softer suspension and a more spacious interior.

Q: Which car is better for families?
A: The Subaru Outback is better for families than the Ford Escape. The Outback has a more spacious interior, a more comfortable ride, and a more comprehensive suite of safety features.

Q: Which car is better for commuting?
A: The Ford Escape is better for commuting than the Subaru Outback. The Escape is more fuel-efficient and has a more affordable price point.

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Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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