Compare 2020 Ford Escape vs 2021 Subaru Forester

2020 Ford Escape
2021 Subaru Forester
#4 in Mid-Size SUVs
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S AWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Escape S AWD 26 31 $25,594 $26,385
Escape S FWD 27 33 $24,138 $24,885
Escape SE AWD 26 31 $27,461 $28,605
Escape SE FWD 27 33 $26,021 $27,105
Escape SE Plug-In Hybrid FWD N/A N/A $31,719 $33,040
Escape SE Sport Hybrid AWD 43 37 $28,574 $29,765
Escape SE Sport Hybrid FWD 44 37 $27,134 $28,265
Escape SEL AWD 26 31 $29,534 $30,765
Escape SEL FWD 27 33 $28,094 $29,265
Escape SEL Plug-In Hybrid FWD N/A N/A $34,195 $35,620
Escape Titanium AWD 23 31 $35,362 $36,835
Escape Titanium Hybrid AWD 43 37 $33,648 $35,050
Escape Titanium Hybrid FWD 44 37 $32,208 $33,550
Escape Titanium Plug-In Hybrid FWD N/A N/A $37,282 $38,835
Select style
CVT
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Forester CVT 26 33 $23,375 $24,795
Forester Limited CVT 26 33 $29,337 $31,395
Forester Premium CVT 26 33 $26,120 $27,795
Forester Sport CVT 26 33 $27,591 $29,395
Forester Touring CVT 26 33 $32,541 $34,895
Pricing
Invoice Price
$25,594
$23,375
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$26,385
$24,795
Monthly Payment Estimate
$440 / month
$413 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.0
6.8
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2020 Ford Escape takes a more refined tack, and brings its hybrid edition back into vogue. A recent Best Car To Buy winner, the 2021 Subaru Forester notches big wins in utility and safety as one of our most recommended crossover SUVs.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
26 mpg 26 mpg
Highway
31 mpg 33 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Small SUV 4WD Small SUV 4WD
Interior Dimensions
Passenger Volume (ft³)
104 111.9
Second Shoulder Room (in)
56 57.2
Front Leg Room (in)
42.4 43.3
Front Hip Room (in)
55.2 54.1
Passenger Capacity
5 5
Second Leg Room (in)
40.7 39.4
Front Head Room (in)
40 41.2
Second Hip Room (in)
53.3 53.6
Front Shoulder Room (in)
57.6 58.2
Second Head Room (in)
39.3 39.6
Exterior Dimensions
Height, Overall (in)
66.1 67.5
Track Width, Rear (in)
61.8 61.8
Wheelbase (in)
106.7 105.1
Liftover Height (in)
28.1 28.4
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
74.1 71.5
Track Width, Front (in)
62.4 61.6
Min Ground Clearance (in)
7.3 8.7
Length, Overall (in)
181.3 182.1
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
65.4 74.3
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
37.8 35.7
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
37.5 31.1
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
41.4 43.3
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
68.5 70.3
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
37.5 31.1
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
57.3 51.2
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
34.8 34.8
Brakes
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
- 11.2
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
- NA
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
- 11.6
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
14.8 16.6
Steering
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
- 35.4
Tires
Front Tire Size
P225/65HR17 P225/60HR17
Spare Tire Size
Compact Compact
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/65HR17 P225/60HR17
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
2000 1500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
2000 1500
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)
2000 1500
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
200 150
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
200 150
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3474 3449
Wheels
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 X 7 17 X 7
Front Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Spare Wheel Material
Aluminum Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 X 7 17 X 7
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
760 -
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
190 @ 3000 176 @ 4400
Engine Order Code
996 NA
Displacement
1.5 L/91 2.5 L/152
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
181 @ 6000 182 @ 5800
Engine Type
Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-3 Regular Unleaded H-4
Fuel System
Port/Direct Injection Gasoline Direct Injection
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
28 29
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
31 33
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
26 26
Transmission
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.81 3.70
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
3.01 -
Trans Type
8 7
Drivetrain
All Wheel All Wheel
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.45 -
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.62 -
Reverse Ratio (:1)
2.96 3.69
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
3.31 -
Trans Order Code
448 NA
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.92 -
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/OD CVT w/OD
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
0.75 0.56
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 -
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.69 3.60 - 0.75
Summary
Vehicle Name
Ford Escape Subaru Forester
Body Style
Sport Utility Sport Utility
Suspension
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut Strut
Suspension Type - Rear
Short And Long Arm Double Wishbone
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Short And Long Arm Double Wishbone
Suspension Type - Front
Strut Strut
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.4 6.1
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
Overall Side Crash Rating
Side Barrier Rating
Side Barrier Rating Driver
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
Rollover Rating
Next Steps: Get Free Price Quotes!
2020 Ford Escape
  • 2020 Escape selection still looks good
  • Rebate up to $1,750 + $2,000 trade-in bonus
  • Lease from $259 for 36 months
  • Get 0% APR for up to 72 months
Get Your Price
2021 Subaru Forester
  • 2021 Forester selection robust
  • Lease: From $239 for 36 months
  • Rebates: No factory rebate; dealer discounting possible
  • Finance: From 0.9% APR for 48 months
Get Your Price

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