Compare the2025 Ford EscapeVS 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander

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 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.

Both the Escape and Outlander have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Escape has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Escape and the Outlander 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

There are almost 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.

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 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’ 2024 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 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated lower.

The Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (199 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 69 more horsepower (250 vs. 181) and 99 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Ford Escape is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

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

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 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 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Escape AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (15.7 vs. 14.5 gallons).

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 (6 to 7). This means the Escape produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Outlander every 15,000 miles.

The Escape stops much shorter than the Outlander:

The Escape offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Escape has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Escape AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Outlander SEL AWC pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Ford Escape may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Escape is 5.3 inches shorter than the Outlander, making the Escape easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Escape has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Escape has .7 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .8 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outlander.

The Escape has a much larger cargo volume than the Outlander with its rear seat up (37.5 vs. 11.7 cubic feet).

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

Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is limited to 2000 pounds. The Escape offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the Escape and the Outlander 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 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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. The Outlander doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mitsubishi Connect 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 Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/Black Edition/SEL.

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 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Escape owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escape will cost $2395 to $9815 less than the Outlander over a five-year period.

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 51.82% to 53.93% of its original price after five years, while the Outlander only retains 47.95% to 49.74%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Escape will be $5043 to $12258 less than for the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Ford Escape outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost three to one during 2023.