2025 Ford Escape vs 2025 Hyundai Kona

$29,515 · Crossover

$24,550 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the 2025 Ford Escape and the 2025 Hyundai Kona often boils down to budget versus space. If your priority is keeping upfront costs low, the Kona starts significantly lower at $24,550 compared to the Escape's $29,515, saving you nearly $5,000 immediately. However, that extra cost gets you a larger vehicle: the Escape is 180.1 inches long versus the Kona's 171.3 inches, translating directly into more usable space. Power is another clear divide; the Escape offers 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, notably more than the Kona’s 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. While the Kona nudges ahead slightly in efficiency with 31 combined MPG versus the Escape’s 30 combined MPG, buyers must weigh superior fuel economy against substantially greater passenger and cargo volume (37.5 cu ft vs. 25.5 cu ft in the Escape).

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Kona

The Kona wins for commuters due to its slightly better fuel economy at 31 combined MPG and lower initial purchase price.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Ford Escape

The larger Ford Escape provides significantly more utility, boasting 37.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Kona's 25.5 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Ford Escape

The Escape delivers better performance with 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, offering a more robust daily drive.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Kona

The Kona offers superior entry-level value with a $4,965 lower MSRP while still achieving excellent fuel economy.

Choose the Ford Escape if...

You prioritize cabin and cargo space, benefiting from the 37.5 cu ft capacity.
You desire more assured passing power from the 180 hp engine.
You prefer a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Hyundai Kona if...

Your absolute top priority is keeping the starting price under $25,000.
You want the slight edge in efficiency, achieving 29 MPG in the city.
You prefer a smaller footprint, as the Kona is nearly 9 inches shorter in length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Escape	Hyundai Kona
Length	180.1"	171.3"
Width	74.1"	71.9"
Height	66.0"	62.2"
Wheelbase	106.7"	104.7"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	180 hp @ 6000 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	199 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Number of Valves	12	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	—
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/34 MPG	29/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	399.6/503.2 mi.	359.6/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.8 gal.	12.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Steering Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	39.9 in.
Front Leg Room	42.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.6 in.	56.8 in.
Front Hip Room	55.2 in.	54.3 in.
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	38.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.7 in.	38.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	55.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.3 in.	52.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/65R H	215/60R17
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Ford	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Escape and 2025 Hyundai Kona.

Which car is significantly better for highway driving efficiency?

Both cars perform well, but the Kona edges out the Escape slightly on the highway with 34 MPG versus the Escape's 34 MPG (Note: they tie here). However, the Escape has a higher base torque figure at 199 lb-ft which might make long-distance cruising feel less strained.

How much more passenger room does the 2025 Escape offer?

While exact passenger volume isn't specified, the physical dimensions show the Escape is much larger overall, being 180.1 inches long and 66.0 inches tall, suggesting a more spacious cabin experience than the smaller Kona (171.3 inches long, 62.2 inches tall).

Is the power difference between the two models noticeable in traffic?

Yes, the 33 horsepower deficit in the Kona (147 hp) compared to the Escape (180 hp) will likely be noticeable during quick merging or when needing to accelerate with a full load of passengers.

Does the price difference make up for the lack of power and space in the Kona?

That depends on your needs; the Kona saves you $4,965 upfront, but you trade that savings for 33 fewer horsepower and nearly 12 cubic feet less cargo room (25.5 vs 37.5 cu ft).

Which crossover uses a standard geared transmission?

The 2025 Ford Escape comes equipped with a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission, whereas the 2025 Hyundai Kona uses a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).

Are both vehicles equipped to use regular unleaded gasoline?

Yes, thankfully, both the 2025 Ford Escape and the 2025 Hyundai Kona are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs predictable for both models.