Compare the2023 Ford EscapeVS 2022 Buick Encore

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Buick Encore doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Escape has standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Encore offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The Escape has standard Post-Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Encore doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Escape (except Base) offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Encore doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Escape’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Encore.

The Escape (except Base) offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Encore 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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Escape has standard Cross Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Buick charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Encore and the Encore’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The Escape’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Encore doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Escape and the Encore have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

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

	Escape	Encore
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	26%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	298 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	363/313 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	102	207
Neck Injury Risk	36.3%	38%
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	104 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	249/289 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 Ford Escape is safer than the Buick Encore:

	Escape	Encore
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	240 lbs.	388 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	100
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	14 inches
HIC	344	382
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	46 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	707 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Escape the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 177 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Encore last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2016.

Warranty

The Escape’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Encore’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 52 percent more Ford dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape’s warranty.

Reliability

The Escape has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Encore doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

Engine

The Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 26 more horsepower (181 vs. 155) and 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (190 vs. 177) than the Encore’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 95 more horsepower (250 vs. 155) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 177) than the Encore’s 1.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Escape is faster than the Buick Encore:

	Escape turbo 3 cyl.	Escape turbo 4 cyl.	Encore
Zero to 60 MPH	8.4 sec	6.9 sec	10.7 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	15.3 sec	17.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84.5 MPH	89.3 MPH	77.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escape gets better mileage than the Encore:

			MPG
Escape
	FWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	27 city/34 hwy
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/32 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy
Encore
	FWD	1.4 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
	AWD	1.4 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escape 1.5 Turbo’s fuel efficiency. The Encore doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Escape’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Encore doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Escape AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Encore (15.7 vs. 14 gallons).

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Escape, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Encore.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Escape’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Encore:

	Escape	Encore
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.6 inches

The Escape stops much shorter than the Encore:

	Escape	Encore
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	175 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape has larger tires than the Encore (225/65R17 vs. 215/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Encore’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Escape has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Buick Encore has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Escape has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Escape flat and controlled during cornering. The Encore’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Encore (106.7 inches vs. 100.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escape is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Encore.

The Escape AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Encore pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Escape AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Encore AWD (27.7 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Escape uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Encore doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Escape has 11.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Encore (104 vs. 92.8).

The Escape has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, 3.5 inches more front hip room, 3.4 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 4.9 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room and 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Encore.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Encore with its rear seat up (37.5 vs. 18.8 cubic feet). The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Encore with its rear seat folded (65.4 vs. 48.4 cubic feet).

The Escape’s cargo area is larger than the Encore’s in every dimension:

	Escape	Encore
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.8”/68.5”	28.5”/55.8”
Max Width	57.3”	39.5”
Min Width	41.4”	36”
Height	34.8”	31.8”

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Escape. The Encore doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Escape Active/ST-Line/Platinum has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Encore doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Escape has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Encore has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Encore doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Escape (except Base), the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Encore doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Escape (except Base)’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Encore doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Escape Elite/Platinum offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Encore doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Escape’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Encore has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Escape Select/Elite/Platinum’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The Encore’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Escape Base). The Encore doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Escape’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Encore’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Escape’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Encore’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Escape detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Encore doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Escape Titanium’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Encore doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Escape (except Base) offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Encore.

On extremely cold winter days, the Escape’s optional (except Base) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Encore doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Escape Active/ST-Line/Platinum’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Encore doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Escape Active/ST-Line/Platinum’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Encore doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Both the Escape and the Encore offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Escape offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Encore doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Escape (except Base) offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Encore doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Escape (except Base) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Encore doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Escape Elite/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Encore doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The Escape will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Escape will retain 49.35% to 49.88% of its original price after five years, while the Encore only retains 46.78%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Escape is less expensive to operate than the Encore because typical repairs cost less on the Escape than the Encore, including $57 less for a water pump, $156 less for front brake pads and $61 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

The Ford Escape outsold the Buick Encore by almost three to one during 2022.