2025 Ford Escape vs 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the 2025 Ford Escape and the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport often boils down to budget versus capability. If saving money upfront is the priority, the Outlander Sport grabs your attention with an MSRP of $24,445—a significant $5,070 less than the Escape's starting price of $29,515. However, the Escape brings noticeably more punch, offering 180 hp compared to the Outlander Sport's 148 hp. For daily driving efficiency, the Escape also pulls ahead, achieving a 30 MPG combined rating versus the Mitsubishi's 26 MPG combined. While the Outlander Sport counters with standard All-Wheel Drive, the Escape offers more space, boasting 37.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Outlander Sport's 21.7 cubic feet. This comparison pits entry-level savings against better daily performance and practicality.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, delivering 30 combined MPG versus the Outlander Sport's 26 MPG.
2025 Ford Escape
The Escape provides substantially more room, offering 37.5 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Outlander Sport's 21.7 cu ft, which is vital for family hauling.
2025 Ford Escape
Enthusiasts will prefer the Escape's higher output of 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque over the Outlander Sport's 148 hp and 145 lb-ft.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is the value champion because it costs $5,070 less upfront, despite having lower MPG and power figures.
Choose the Ford Escape if...
- You regularly haul significant cargo and need access to 37.5 cu ft of storage.
- You prioritize highway cruising comfort with an 8-speed automatic transmission and better highway MPG (34 MPG).
- You need more accessible power, evidenced by the 180 hp engine that uses readily available regular unleaded fuel.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport if...
- Keeping the initial purchase price low is critical, given its MSRP is $24,445.
- You prefer the security of standard All-Wheel Drive over the Escape's Front Wheel Drive configuration.
- Your driving consists mostly of shorter trips where the lower 148 hp output is less noticeable.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Escape | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 180.1" | 171.9" |
| Width | 74.1" | 71.3" |
| Height | 66.0" | 64.8" |
| Wheelbase | 106.7" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 148 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4200 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 27/34 MPG | 23/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 399.6/503.2 mi. | 363.4/458.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 7.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 41.6 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.6 in. | 56.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.2 in. | 52.1 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 | 4-way |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.3 in. | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.7 in. | 36.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.3 in. | 51.6 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/65R H | P215/70R16 |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
| Wheel Size | — | 16 x 6.5 in |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Escape and 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
Which crossover is better for minimizing my gas budget?
The 2025 Ford Escape is the more fuel-efficient choice, achieving a combined 30 MPG, which is 4 MPG better than the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's 26 MPG combined. Although both use regular unleaded, the Escape's 34 MPG highway rating will stretch your dollar further on longer commutes.
Why is the Ford Escape so much more expensive than the Outlander Sport?
The 2025 Ford Escape has an MSRP of $29,515, which is $5,070 more than the Outlander Sport's $24,445 starting price. This price gap accounts for the Escape's greater horsepower (180 hp vs 148 hp) and significantly larger cargo capacity (37.5 cu ft vs 21.7 cu ft).
Does the Outlander Sport come with AWD standard, and does the Escape?
Yes, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, offering better traction in varied conditions. In contrast, the base 2025 Ford Escape is listed with Front Wheel Drive.
Is the power difference between these two crossovers significant for city driving?
Yes, the 32 hp difference is noticeable; the Escape makes 180 hp while the Outlander Sport makes 148 hp. For merging onto busy highways or accelerating quickly from a stop, the Escape will feel noticeably stronger.
How much smaller is the Outlander Sport compared to the Escape?
The Escape is a physically larger vehicle; it is about 8.2 inches longer (180.1 inches vs 171.9 inches) and slightly wider and taller. This size difference directly translates to the Escape's 15.8 cubic feet greater cargo capacity.
Are there any performance benefits to the Escape's transmission?
The Escape uses a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission, while the Outlander Sport uses a Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic (CVT). Many drivers prefer the feel of the geared 8-speed during spirited driving over the CVT setup.
More Budget SUVs Under $30,000
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool