Compare the2021 Kia SportageVS 2021 Ford Escape FHEV

Both the Sportage and the Escape FHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Sportage comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Escape FHEV’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Escape FHEV. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Escape FHEV ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sportage’s reliability 71 points higher than the Escape FHEV.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sportage second among compact suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Escape FHEV isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 7 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Sportage SX Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 more horsepower (237 vs. 200) than the Escape FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Sportage SX Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (240 vs. 200) than the Escape FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia Sportage 4 cyl. is faster than the Ford Escape FHEV:

The Sportage has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Escape FHEV (16.4 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Sportage stops shorter than the Escape FHEV:

For better traction, the Sportage SX Turbo’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Escape FHEV (245/45R19 vs. 225/65R17).

The Sportage LX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape FHEV’s standard 65 series tires. The Sportage SX Turbo’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Escape FHEV Titanium’s 55 series tires.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage is 1 inch wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Escape FHEV.

The Sportage SX Turbo AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the Escape FHEV SE 4x4 pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Sportage SX Turbo AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Escape FHEV SE 4x4 (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Sportage’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the Escape FHEV’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.2 feet).

The Kia Sportage may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Ford Escape FHEV.

The Sportage is 4.1 inches shorter than the Escape FHEV, making the Sportage easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage’s rear seats recline. The Escape FHEV’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Sportage’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Escape FHEV’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Sportage to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the Sportage’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Escape FHEV’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Sportage (except S/LX) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Kia Sportage has won recognition from these important consumer publications: