Dodge Nitro vs Ford Escape
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Ford Escape
Overview
| Spec | Dodge NitroSE Fleet | Ford EscapeActive |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | SE Fleet | Active |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2011 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Dodge NitroSE Fleet | Ford EscapeActive |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $21,590 (best) | $30,350 |
| Lowest listing price | $6,499 | $3,898 (best) |
| Median listing price | $6,499 (best) | $22,883 |
| Highest listing price | $6,499 (best) | $43,129 |
| For sale now | 1 | 128 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Dodge NitroSE Fleet | Ford EscapeActive |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 18 MPG | 30 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 16 MPG | 27 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 22 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 19.5 gal (best) | 14.8 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Dodge NitroSE Fleet | Ford EscapeActive |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 210 hp (best) | 180 hp |
| Torque | 235 lb-ft (best) | 199 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 3.7 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | V6 | I3 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Dodge NitroSE Fleet | Ford EscapeActive |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 5 (best) | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 75.6 cu ft (best) | 65.4 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 5,000 lbs (best) | 2,000 lbs |
| Payload | 1,150 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,976 lbs | 3,273 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in (best) | — |
| Wheelbase | 108.8 in (best) | 106.7 in |
| Length | 178.9 in | 180.1 in (best) |
| Width | 73.1 in | 74.1 in (best) |
| Height | 70.5 in (best) | 66 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Dodge NitroSE Fleet | Ford EscapeActive |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | 3 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 3 | 2 (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Dodge Nitro | Ford Escape |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SE Fleet $21,590 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Active $30,350 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | SE Fleet $23,340 MSRP | Active $31,750 MSRP |
| 3 | Heat $22,245 MSRP | ST-Line $31,195 MSRP |
| 4 | Heat $23,995 MSRP | ST-Line $32,595 MSRP |
| 5 | SXT Fleet $23,235 MSRP | ST-Line Select $33,890 MSRP |
| 6 | SXT Fleet $24,985 MSRP | ST-Line Select $35,015 MSRP |
| 7 | Detonator $26,245 MSRP | Plug-In Hybrid $35,400 MSRP |
| 8 | Detonator $27,995 MSRP | Platinum $36,215 MSRP |
| 9 | Shock $27,245 MSRP | ST-Line Elite $37,210 MSRP |
| 10 | Shock $28,995 MSRP | Platinum $37,940 MSRP |
| 11 | — | ST-Line Elite $38,935 MSRP |
Live inventory
Dodge Nitro1 for sale
See all
Ford Escape128 for sale
See all
Used2025 Ford Escape
Active
Oxford White23,908 mi$22,900Countryside Pre-Owned
Jackson, GA
Certified2019 Ford Escape
Titanium
Black Metallic•Medium Light Stone66,585 mi$18,684Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2025 Ford Escape
ST-Line Select
Carbonized Gray•Ebony w/Red Stitching33,072 mi$22,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Used2019 Ford Escape
Titanium
Magnetic•Charcoal Black62,011 mi$15,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Used2017 Ford Escape
SE
Ruby Red Metallic•Black51,722 mi$13,650Whitewater Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
St Charles, MN
Used2023 Ford Escape
Platinum
Black Metallic•Space Gray19,185 mi$25,481Smythe Volvo Cars
Summit, NJ
Dodge Nitro vs Ford Escape FAQ
- Which is better: 2011 Dodge Nitro or 2026 Ford Escape?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2011 Dodge Nitro vs 2026 Ford Escape on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2011 Dodge Nitro or 2026 Ford Escape?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2011 Dodge Nitro starts lower at $21,590. Live Dodge Nitro listings start at $6,499. Live Ford Escape listings start at $3,898.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2011 Dodge Nitro or 2026 Ford Escape?
- The 2011 Dodge Nitro leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (21,590).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2011 Dodge Nitro or 2026 Ford Escape?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (40).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2011 Dodge Nitro or 2026 Ford Escape?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (37).
- Which has better horsepower: 2011 Dodge Nitro or 2026 Ford Escape?
- The 2011 Dodge Nitro leads on horsepower in this comparison (260).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2011 Dodge Nitro or 2026 Ford Escape?
- The 2011 Dodge Nitro leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2011 Dodge Nitro vs 2026 Ford Escape?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Dodge Nitro (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall); Ford Escape (5/5 NHTSA overall).