2025 Ford Escape vs 2026 Subaru Crosstrek

$29,515 · Crossover

$26,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Ford Escape bursts onto the scene with a focus on highway efficiency and passenger space, offering 30 MPG combined and an impressive 37.5 cubic feet of cargo room. Conversely, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek captivates with its standard All-Wheel Drive capability, cementing its adventurous edge right out of the box, despite its smaller 19.9 cu ft cargo capacity. While both crossovers share an identical 180 horsepower output, the Escape leverages its 199 lb-ft of torque and smoother 8-speed automatic transmission for potentially better acceleration off the line than the Crosstrek’s 178 lb-ft managed through a CVT. Furthermore, the Escape boasts a slightly superior fuel economy rating of 27/34 MPG city/highway compared to the Crosstrek's 26/33 MPG, making it the mileage leader for pavement cruising, albeit at a higher starting MSRP of $29,515 versus the Subaru's aggressive $26,995 entry price.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Ford Escape

The Ford Escape offers superior fuel economy at 30 MPG combined, making daily travel slightly cheaper than the Crosstrek's 29 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Ford Escape

The Escape provides significantly more usable space with 37.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Crosstrek's 19.9 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

The standard All-Wheel Drive system in the Crosstrek provides superior traction and confidence for varied, spirited driving conditions.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek presents better baseline value by including AWD technology for a substantially lower MSRP of $26,995.

Choose the Ford Escape if...

You prioritize maximum interior hauling capacity, as the Escape offers 37.5 cubic feet for gear.
You commute long distances and seek the best outright fuel efficiency with 34 MPG highway.
You prefer the responsiveness and traditional feel of an 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if...

Standard All-Wheel Drive is mandatory for your driving environment or lifestyle.
You want to keep the initial purchase price down, with the Crosstrek starting at $26,995.
You prefer a more maneuverable vehicle, as the Crosstrek is significantly shorter at 176.4 inches long.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Escape	Subaru Crosstrek
Length	180.1"	176.4"
Width	74.1"	70.9"
Height	66.0"	62.8"
Wheelbase	106.7"	105.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Ford	Subaru
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	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 3	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	180 hp @ 6000 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	199 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 3700 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	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/34 MPG	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	399.6/503.2 mi.	431.6/547.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.8 gal.	16.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Ford	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ford	Subaru
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	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Ford	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	39.8 in.
Front Leg Room	42.4 in.	42.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.6 in.	56.8 in.
Front Hip Room	55.2 in.	55.1 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	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.7 in.	36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	55.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.3 in.	53.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/65R H	P225/60R17
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Ford	Subaru
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Escape and 2026 Subaru Crosstrek.

Which crossover offers better foul-weather capability for the base trim?

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is the clear winner here, as it includes All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment. The base 2025 Ford Escape only comes equipped with Front Wheel Drive, meaning the Subaru is inherently better prepared for snow or slick conditions straight from the dealership floor.

Is the difference in size between these two crossovers significant for parking?

Yes, the Subaru Crosstrek is the more compact option, measuring 176.4 inches in length compared to the Escape's 180.1 inches. Additionally, the Crosstrek is notably narrower and shorter, potentially making tight city parking maneuvers easier.

How much more cargo space does the Ford Escape offer over the Crosstrek?

The 2025 Ford Escape has a substantial advantage in hauling capacity, offering 37.5 cubic feet versus the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek’s 19.9 cubic feet. This nearly 18 cubic feet difference is critical for larger families or frequent haulers.

Since both cars have 180 horsepower, will their real-world performance feel similar?

While horsepower is identical, torque delivery differs: the Escape has 199 lb-ft, while the Crosstrek has 178 lb-ft, suggesting the Escape might feel punchier during initial acceleration. Furthermore, the Escape uses an 8-speed automatic while the Crosstrek uses a CVT, affecting perceived responsiveness.

Which vehicle will save me more money on gas over a year?

The 2025 Ford Escape holds a slight edge in fuel efficiency, achieving a combined 30 MPG compared to the Crosstrek's 29 MPG. Over thousands of miles, this 1 MPG advantage, paired with its ability to run on regular unleaded, will result in minor savings.

Is the higher starting price of the Escape justified by its specifications?

The Escape starts at $29,515, which is $2,520 more than the Crosstrek's $26,995 base price. The premium pays for more cargo space, slightly better highway MPG, and a torque advantage, but it means losing the value proposition of standard AWD found in the Subaru.