Ford Escape vs Ford Explorer (2026)

Price gap, MSRP + destination

$8,415

Scored measures. Each is scaled to the larger value. Bold: the winner.

Escape Active FWD vs Explorer Active RWD
Measure	Escape	Explorer	Winner
MSRP + destination	$31,845	$40,260	Escape
Horsepower	180 hp	300 hp	Explorer
Torque	199 lb-ft	199 lb-ft	About the same
MPG combined	30 mpg	24 mpg	Escape
Cargo, max	65.4 cu ft	85.3 cu ft	Explorer
Cargo, seats up	37.5 cu ft	46.0 cu ft	Explorer
Rear legroom	40.7 in	38.3 in	Escape
Front legroom	42.4 in	43.0 in	Explorer
Length	180.5 in	198.7 in	Not scored
Width	74.1 in	78.7 in	Not scored
Curb weight	3,283 lb	4,360 lb	Not scored
Towing	2,000 lb	5,000 lb	Explorer
Seats	5	6 to 7	N/A
Ground clearance	7.5 in	7.8 in	About the same
0-60 mph	7.8 s estimate	6.5 s estimate	Explorer
Basic warranty	3 yr / 36,000 mi	3 yr / 36,000 mi	About the same

Not scored: length, width, curb weight. N/A rows are not counted.

Nearest trims by price

Each trim and the rival trim nearest in MSRP
Trim	Nearest in price	Gap
Escape Active FWD $30,350	Explorer Active w/100A Pkg RWD $38,465	$8,115
Explorer Active RWD $38,465	Escape ST-Line Elite AWD $38,935	$470

Escape ST-Line Select Hybrid AWD vs Explorer Hybrid Police Interceptor Utility AWD
Measure	Escape	Explorer	Winner
MSRP + destination	$35,385	$50,345	Escape
Cargo, seats up	34.4 cu ft	46.0 cu ft	Explorer
Rear legroom	38.9 in	38.3 in	Escape
Front legroom	42.4 in	42.9 in	Explorer
Ground clearance	6.9 in	7.8 in	Explorer
Basic warranty	3 yr / 36,000 mi	3 yr / 36,000 mi	About the same

Explorer wins 3 of 6 measures.

Miles a yearGas, $ per gallonElectricity, cents per kWhYears

Escape costs $10,335 less over 6 years.

12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Electricity 17 cents per kWh.

Weight each group from 0 to 10. MPG uses fuel or charging cost.

Price 5MPG 5Power 5Space 5Towing 5

Equal weights: Explorer wins.

No single weight change flips the winner.

Your price and mpg will differ.

Reliability and safety are not included.