In 2018, just over 5.3 million passenger cars were sold in the US.
At an average cost of more than $37,500, purchasing a big-ticket item like a car means doing your homework. If you’ve already narrowed your options down to an SUV, it’s time to compare the best of the best – and that means looking into the Ford Edge vs Ford Escape.
Both five-seat vehicles come equipped with all the space you can handle, but that’s where the similarities between these two vehicles stop. After that, they differ in everything from cost to performance.
Keep reading for a feature-by-feature comparison of the Ford Escape vs Ford Edge.
Ford Edge vs Ford Escape: General
Introduced to the Ford crossover line in 2006, the Edge is a midsize crossover vehicle that seats up to five passengers.
In 2019, the Edge received a complete mid-cycle redesign. That redesign brought changes to both the interior and exterior but, more importantly, that was also the year the performance-tuned ST model was introduced.
The Ford Escape is also a five-seater crossover, but with a little more history than that of the Edge. It was first launched in 2001 and in 2004, the hybrid version arrived. The 2004 Ford Escape hybrid was one of the first hybrid SUV’s ever created.
The 2020 Ford Escape is now in its fourth generation. Ford has brought back the hybrid legacy of the vehicle and they’ve also designed a variation that plugs in for charging.
Cost
When it comes to which vehicle will be easier on your wallet, the Escape wins by about $5,000. The base price of this vehicle is $24,105, whereas the Edge starts at $29,999. Indeed, the base price of the Escape is one of the most competitive prices for vehicles of this class – and it’s more affordable than most of its competition.
Fuel Economy
The Escape is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder. It’s that engine that returns 23 miles per gallon (mpg) when driving in urban areas. With the front-wheel-drive on, you can stretch that to 30 mpg – far more fuel efficient than even the “efficiency” setup on the Edge.
Safety
Both the Edge and the Escape come fully loaded with Ford Co-Pilot 360 on their standard options. Ford’s patented safety system includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alarms, lane assistance, a rearview camera, pre-collision alarm, automatic braking, pedestrian detection, dynamic brake support, and automatic high-beams.
Aesthetics
The size of these two vehicles is comparable. The Edge comes in at 75.9 inches wide, 68.6 inches tall, and 188.1 inches long. The Escape has similar measurements: 178.1 inches in length, 66.3 inches tall, and 72.4 inches wide.
But while they’re dimensions are close and they both come with dual rear exhaust and ultra-stylish headlights, these vehicles look completely different. The Edge is slightly bigger and slightly more aggressive in appearance. It really looks like a utility vehicle, whereas the Escape has more of a polished and sleek look.
Tech
The Edge and Escape share many of the same tech features. Both are equipped with an LCD screen that houses the infotainment system and all its parts, including voice-controlled SYNC, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera. They also come standard with a USB port, a six-speaker stereo, and a MyKey system.
In terms of options, the Escape upgrades include a household-style power outlet, panoramic sunroof, and a push-button start that comes standard on the Edge. You can also upgrade to heated seats on both models and choose whether to have Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto.
Space
Although they’re somewhat close in size and can both fit five passengers comfortably, the Edge feels more spacious than the Escape.
In reality, the Edge offers 40.2 inches of headroom and 42.6 inches of room for your legs versus the Escape’s 39.9 inches of headroom and 43.1 inches of legroom. But even things like the controls on the center stack or the way the large touchscreen display sits on the Escape, make the Edge seem far roomier.
Plus, the Edge offers a ton of cargo space – compared not only to the Escape but to all other vehicles in its class. Folding down the quick release seats gives you 73.4 cubic feet of trunk space. Without that rear bench folded, you get 39.2 cubic feet of storage.
That’s significantly more space than the 34 cubic feet you get standard with the Escape or even the 68 cubic feet that can be had with the rear bench folded down.
Performance
The Ford Edge base model comes with 245 ponies and 275 lb-ft torque under the hood. That’s quite a bit more power than the Escape base model, which comes with 168 horsepower and a torque of 170 lb-ft. In fact, only the top-tier engine for the Escape is as powerful as the base engine on the Edge.
If you’re looking for a vehicle that handles more like a sporty vehicle, then the Escape is the better option. It’s similar to the Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, or Honda CR-V. Plus, it’s available in three engines:
- the base 2.5-liter, four-cylinder with 168 hp
- the turbocharged 1.5-liter, four-cylinder with 179 hp
- the turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder with 245
But for something a little more smooth and car-like, opt for the Edge. The 2019 refresh gave it a new transmission and an ST performance trim that’s best in its class. You can compare it with other crossovers such as the Nissan Murano or Hyundai Santa Fe.
And whether you prefer AWD or FWD, both are available as an upgrade on the Edge and the Escape.
More Life Advice
Comparing the Ford Edge vs Ford Escape, there’s no clear winner for the better vehicle. It really depends on what you’re looking to spend, how much space you need, and how much power you want under the hood. While the Edge offers more performance and power, the Escape definitely wins out in terms of cost.
And just like choosing between these two vehicles, not all decisions have to be complicated. Check out our lifestyle blog for more advice that makes your life a little easier.
