Compare the2022 Nissan LeafVS 2022 Ford Escape PHEV

Safety
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Nissan Leaf has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Leaf has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Leaf (except S) offers an optional Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Escape PHEV only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Leaf and the Escape PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available daytime running lights and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Leaf is safer than the Ford Escape PHEV:

	Leaf	Escape PHEV
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	11 lbs.	23 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Leaf is safer than the Ford Escape PHEV:

	Leaf	Escape PHEV
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	131	197
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	137 lbs.	191 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	158	344

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Reliability

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 Leaf’s reliability 52 points higher than the Escape PHEV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 14th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 21st in reliability. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 9 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Leaf gets better mileage than the Escape PHEV running on electricity:

		MPGe
Leaf
	Electric Motor	123 city/99 hwy
	PLUS S Electric Motor	118 city/97 hwy
Escape PHEV
	Electric Motor	117 city/93 hwy

The Leaf’s maximum EPA estimated driving range is 149 to 226 miles on a full charge. The Escape PHEV can only travel about 37 miles before it has to start its internal combustion engine.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Leaf higher (10 out of 10) than the Ford Escape PHEV (7). This means the Leaf produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Escape PHEV every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Leaf’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Escape PHEV are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

The Leaf S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape PHEV’s standard 60 series tires. The Leaf SV/SL’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Escape PHEV’s 60 series tires.

The Leaf has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Leaf S’ turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the Escape PHEV’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.2 feet). The Leaf SV/SL’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Escape PHEV’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.2 feet).

Chassis

The Nissan Leaf may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Ford Escape PHEV.

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

Ergonomics

The Leaf’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Escape PHEV’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Leaf, based on reliability, safety and performance.