Compare the2025 Ford Escape FHEVVS 2025 Kia Seltos

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape FHEV 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 Kia Seltos doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Ford Escape FHEV has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Escape FHEV 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 Seltos 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.

The Escape FHEV offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Seltos 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 FHEV 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 Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Escape FHEV has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX offers Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning.

Both the Escape FHEV and the Seltos have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors 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 FHEV is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	Escape FHEV	Seltos
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	24%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	237 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	23 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	460/429 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	405
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36.3%	41%
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	171 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 FHEV is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	Escape FHEV	Seltos
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.2 inches
Hip Force	240 lbs.	428 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	234
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	70 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	33 G’s

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

Warranty

The Escape FHEV’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Seltos runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape FHEV’s warranty.

Reliability

The Escape FHEV 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 Seltos 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 FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 46 more horsepower (192 vs. 146) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Ford Escape FHEV is faster than the Kia Seltos 4 cyl.:

	Escape FHEV	Seltos
Zero to 30 MPH	3.5 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.9 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	84 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escape FHEV gets better mileage than the Seltos:

			MPG
Escape FHEV
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/36 hwy
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/36 hwy
Seltos
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/34 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/31 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/27 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Escape FHEV’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Seltos doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Escape FHEV has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Seltos (14.3 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Escape FHEV 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 Seltos doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Escape FHEV	Seltos	Seltos AWD
Front Rotors	13 inches	11 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.3 inches	11.2 inches

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Escape FHEV has a standard Emergency Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Escape FHEV stops shorter than the Seltos:

	Escape FHEV	Seltos
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape FHEV has larger tires than the Seltos (225/55R19 vs. 215/55R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape FHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Seltos. The Escape FHEV’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Seltos AWD X-Line/SX.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Escape FHEV 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 Seltos 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Escape FHEV has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Escape FHEV flat and controlled during cornering. The Seltos 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape FHEV’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the Seltos (106.7 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

The Escape FHEV ST-Line Elite AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the Seltos S pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Escape FHEV ST-Line Elite AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Seltos S (28.2 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

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

Passenger Space

The Escape FHEV has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Seltos (102.2 vs. 99).

The Escape FHEV has 1 inch more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, .5 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Seltos.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape FHEV has a much larger cargo volume than the Seltos with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 26.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Escape FHEV easier. The Escape FHEV’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the Seltos’ liftover is 29.4 inches.

The Escape FHEV’s cargo area is larger than the Seltos’ in almost every dimension:

	Escape FHEV	Seltos
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.7”/68.3”	32.7”/62.4”
Max Width	57.3”	52.3”
Min Width	41.4”	41.6”
Height	32.8”	32.5”

Towing

The Escape FHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Seltos has no towing capacity.

The Escape FHEV can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escape FHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Seltos can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape FHEV 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 Seltos doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Escape FHEV, 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 Seltos doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Escape FHEV’s optional Easy Entry and Exit 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 Seltos doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Escape FHEV 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 Seltos doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Escape FHEV’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Seltos 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 FHEV SEL/Titanium’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 Seltos S/EX/SX/X-Line’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 FHEV’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Seltos doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape FHEV has standard Intelligent Access that allows 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. Only the Seltos S/EX/X-Line/SX offers a Smart Key.

The Escape FHEV’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 Seltos’ manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Escape FHEV Elite/Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

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

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

The Escape FHEV’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 Seltos doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Escape FHEV 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 Seltos doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Escape FHEV and the Kia Seltos, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the Kia Seltos by over two to one during 2023.