2025 Ford Escape vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Comparison Overview
The most significant quantifiable divergence between the 2025 Ford Escape (Car 1) and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz (Car 2) is fuel economy, where the Escape achieves 30 combined MPG compared to the Santa Cruz's 25 combined MPG, representing a 5 MPG advantage. In terms of raw output, the Santa Cruz generates 191 hp, slightly eclipsing the Escape's 180 hp, though the Escape counters with superior torque at 199 lb-ft versus the Santa Cruz's 181 lb-ft. Priced nearly identically at $29,515 (Escape) and $29,500 (Santa Cruz), the value proposition shifts based on priority. The Escape offers 37.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, whereas the Santa Cruz is significantly longer at 195.7 inches compared to the Escape's 180.1 inches. Both utilize front-wheel drive and 8-speed automatics, but the Escape prioritizes efficiency metrics while the Santa Cruz leans toward a larger footprint and marginally higher peak horsepower.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Escape
The 2025 Ford Escape wins for commuters due to its superior 30 combined MPG versus the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is favored by families due to its 15.6-inch advantage in overall length (195.7 inches vs. 180.1 inches), suggesting a potentially more accommodating cabin or structure.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Enthusiasts will prefer the Santa Cruz for its higher peak output of 191 horsepower compared to the Escape's 180 hp.
2025 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape provides better running costs, evidenced by 5 MPG greater combined efficiency for the same approximate MSRP of $29,515.
Choose the Ford Escape if...
- Fuel economy is the top priority, given its 30 combined MPG rating.
- Maximizing torque for utility tasks is important, as it offers 199 lb-ft versus 181 lb-ft.
- A slightly smaller exterior footprint (180.1 inches long) is preferable for dense urban parking.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- A higher peak horsepower figure (191 hp) is desired for responsiveness.
- The extra exterior length (195.7 inches) translates to preferred space utilization or styling.
- A shiftable automatic transmission configuration is preferred over a standard 8-speed automatic.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Escape | Hyundai Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 180.1" | 195.7" |
| Width | 74.1" | 75.0" |
| Height | 66.0" | 66.7" |
| Wheelbase | 106.7" | 118.3" |
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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | — | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 6000 rpm | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 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 | 8-speed shiftable 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 | 22/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 399.6/503.2 mi. | 389.4/531.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.8 gal. | 17.7 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | 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. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.6 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.2 in. | 54.5 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. | 39.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 40.7 in. | 36.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.0 in. | 56.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.3 in. | 53.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/65R H | 245/60R18 |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear 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. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Escape and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
What is the precise difference in fuel economy between the 2025 Ford Escape and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2025 Ford Escape holds a clear advantage, achieving 30 combined MPG (27 city/34 highway). Conversely, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is rated at 25 combined MPG (22 city/30 highway), resulting in a 5 MPG separation in combined driving estimates.
How do the power figures compare, specifically horsepower and torque, between these two FWD crossovers?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz generates 191 horsepower, marginally higher than the 2025 Ford Escape’s 180 horsepower. However, the Escape leads in rotational force with 199 lb-ft of torque compared to the Santa Cruz’s 181 lb-ft.
Since the MSRPs are nearly identical, what justifies choosing the longer Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The Santa Cruz measures 195.7 inches in length, making it over 15 inches longer than the Escape's 180.1 inches. This significant dimensional difference typically indicates greater overall utility or passenger/cargo space potential.
Does the base drivetrain configuration differ between the two models?
Both vehicles come standard with front-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Cruz specifies its unit as an 8-speed shiftable automatic, while the Escape utilizes a standard 8-speed automatic transmission.
How does the available cargo capacity metric compare for the 2025 Ford Escape?
The 2025 Ford Escape is quoted with a cargo capacity of 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the Santa Cruz's exact figure wasn't provided, the Escape's measurement gives a specific baseline for measuring storage volume.
Are both vehicles optimized for regular unleaded fuel?
Yes, both the 2025 Ford Escape and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying long-term operating costs for the owner of either model.
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