Ford Escape vs Hyundai Santa Fe
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2027 Hyundai Santa Fe
Overview
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa FeSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active | SE |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa FeSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $30,350 (best) | $35,300 |
| Lowest listing price | $3,898 (best) | $14,955 |
| Median listing price | $22,889 (best) | $39,805 |
| Highest listing price | $43,129 (best) | $53,143 |
| For sale now | 135 | 377 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa FeSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG (best) | 24 MPG |
| City MPG | 27 MPG (best) | 20 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 14.8 gal | 17.7 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa FeSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 277 hp (best) |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I3 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa FeSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 7 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 65.4 cu ft | 79.6 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs | 3,500 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,273 lbs (best) | 4,343 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in | 110.8 in (best) |
| Length | 180.1 in | 190.2 in (best) |
| Width | 74.1 in | 74.8 in (best) |
| Height | 66 in | 67.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa FeSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 2 | None reported (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 | Ford Escape | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active $30,350 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $35,300 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active $31,750 MSRP | SE $37,100 MSRP |
| 3 | ST-Line $31,195 MSRP | SE Hybrid $36,650 MSRP |
| 4 | ST-Line $32,595 MSRP | SE Hybrid $38,450 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line Select $33,890 MSRP | SEL $37,840 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line Select $35,015 MSRP | SEL $39,640 MSRP |
| 7 | Plug-In Hybrid $35,400 MSRP | SEL Hybrid $38,940 MSRP |
| 8 | Platinum $36,215 MSRP | SEL Hybrid $40,740 MSRP |
| 9 | ST-Line Elite $37,210 MSRP | XRT $42,290 MSRP |
| 10 | Platinum $37,940 MSRP | Limited $44,850 MSRP |
| 11 | ST-Line Elite $38,935 MSRP | Limited $44,850 MSRP |
| 12 | — | Limited $46,650 MSRP |
| 13 | — | Limited $46,650 MSRP |
| 14 | — | Limited Hybrid $45,950 MSRP |
| 15 | — | Limited Hybrid $45,950 MSRP |
| 16 | — | Limited Hybrid $47,750 MSRP |
| 17 | — | Limited Hybrid $47,750 MSRP |
| 18 | — | Calligraphy $47,850 MSRP |
| 19 | — | Calligraphy $49,650 MSRP |
| 20 | — | Calligraphy Hybrid $48,950 MSRP |
| 21 | — | Calligraphy Hybrid $50,750 MSRP |
Live inventory
Ford Escape135 for sale
See all
Used2025 Ford Escape
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Oxford White23,908 mi$22,200Countryside 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
Hyundai Santa Fe377 for sale
See all
New2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Limited
Serenity White•gray10 mi$44,415Jeff Wyler Hyundai of Eastgate
Batavia, OH
New2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Calligraphy
Ecotronic Gray•gray5 mi$46,598Jeff Wyler Hyundai of Eastgate
Batavia, OH
New2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Limited
Phantom Black•gray7 mi$43,872Jeff Wyler Hyundai of Eastgate
Batavia, OH
New2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Calligraphy
Ecotronic Gray•gray13 mi$46,549Jeff Wyler Hyundai of Eastgate
Batavia, OH
New2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Calligraphy
Hampton Gray•gray9 mi$46,725Jeff Wyler Hyundai of Eastgate
Batavia, OH
New2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
Calligraphy
Ecotronic Gray•gray9 mi$47,017Jeff Wyler Hyundai of Eastgate
Batavia, OH
Ford Escape vs Hyundai Santa Fe FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Ford Escape vs 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Ford Escape starts lower at $30,350. Live Ford Escape listings start at $3,898. Live Hyundai Santa Fe listings start at $14,955.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (30,350).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (40).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (37).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe leads on horsepower in this comparison (277).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (4,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Ford Escape vs 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Escape (5/5 NHTSA overall).