Compare the2023 Ford EscapeVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
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 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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 Outlander Sport only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Escape has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Outlander Sport SE/GT offers a blind spot warning system.

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. Only the Outlander Sport SE/GT offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the Outlander Sport’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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Escape has standard 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Escape and the Outlander Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 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 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

	Escape	Outlander Sport
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	143	208
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	29%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	90 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	334/511 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	251
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36.3%	43%
Neck Stress	181 lbs.	221 lbs.
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	91 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	394/494 lbs.

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

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Ford Escape is safer than the Outlander Sport:

	Escape	Outlander Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	80	84
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	1 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	24 cm	28 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	.1/0 kN	3.43/.93 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Tibia index R/L	.42/.33	.68/.36
Tibia forces R/L	1.1/.1 kN	1.9/1.9 kN

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 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

	Escape	Outlander Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	240 lbs.	518 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	349
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	47 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	17 inches
HIC	344	365
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	807 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 Outlander Sport is not a “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

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

There are over 9 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mitsubishi 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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

Engine

The Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (181 vs. 148) and 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (190 vs. 145) than the Outlander Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Escape’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (181 vs. 168) and 23 lbs.-ft. more torque (190 vs. 167) than the Outlander Sport GT’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 82 more horsepower (250 vs. 168) and 113 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 167) than the Outlander Sport GT’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Escape turbo 3 cyl. is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	Escape	Outlander Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	9.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23.5 sec	32 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.3 sec	10.2 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	17.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87 MPH	79 MPH
Top Speed	122 MPH	113 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escape gets better mileage than the Outlander Sport:

			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
Outlander Sport
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/28 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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Escape has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Escape higher (7 out of 10) than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (5). This means the Escape produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Outlander Sport every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Escape	Outlander Sport
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.6 inches

The Escape stops much shorter than the Outlander Sport:

	Escape	Outlander Sport
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape has larger tires than the Outlander Sport (225/65R17 vs. 215/70R16).

The Escape’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outlander Sport S’ standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Outlander Sport S. The Escape’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Outlander Sport ES/LE/SE/GT.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Outlander Sport (106.7 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escape is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander Sport.

The Escape AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Outlander Sport SE 4WD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Escape AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Outlander Sport SE 4WD (27.7 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .55 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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Escape has 6.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander Sport (104 vs. 97.5).

The Escape has .6 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 3.1 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 4.4 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outlander Sport.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Outlander Sport with its rear seat up (37.5 vs. 21.7 cubic feet). The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander Sport with its rear seat folded (65.4 vs. 49.5 cubic feet).

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Escape. The Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Escape has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport 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 power windows standard on both the Escape and the Outlander Sport have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Escape is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander Sport prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Escape Select/Elite/Platinum’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander Sport’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Outlander Sport’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Escape’s standard doors lock when a certain speed is reached. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Escape has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Outlander Sport only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Escape Active/ST-Line/Platinum has standard extendable sun visors. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Escape and the Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Escape owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escape will cost $1195 to $3285 less than the Outlander Sport over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Escape is less expensive to operate than the Outlander Sport because it costs $36 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Escape than the Outlander Sport, including $228 less for a water pump, $103 less for a starter, $167 less for fuel injection, $327 less for a fuel pump, $64 less for front struts and $244 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

The Ford Escape outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport by over 8 to one during 2022.

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