Ford Escape vs Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Overview
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa Fe SportBase |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active | Base |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2018 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa Fe SportBase |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $30,350 | $24,950 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $3,898 (best) | $9,234 |
| Median listing price | $22,876 | $11,456 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $43,129 | $17,411 (best) |
| For sale now | 131 (best) | 4 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa Fe SportBase |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG (best) | 24 MPG |
| City MPG | 27 MPG (best) | 21 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG (best) | 27 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 14.8 gal | 17.4 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa Fe SportBase |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 185 hp (best) |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft (best) | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2.4 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I3 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa Fe SportBase |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 5 (best) |
| Cargo volume | 65.4 cu ft | 71.5 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Curb weight | 3,273 lbs (best) | — |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in (best) | 106.3 in |
| Length | 180.1 in | 185 in (best) |
| Width | 74.1 in (best) | 74 in |
| Height | 66 in | 66.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Hyundai Santa Fe SportBase |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 2 (best) | 4 |
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 Sport |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active $30,350 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Base $24,950 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active $31,750 MSRP | Base $26,500 MSRP |
| 3 | ST-Line $31,195 MSRP | 2.0T $31,350 MSRP |
| 4 | ST-Line $32,595 MSRP | 2.0T $32,900 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line Select $33,890 MSRP | 2.0T Ultimate $35,650 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line Select $35,015 MSRP | 2.0T Ultimate $37,200 MSRP |
| 7 | Plug-In Hybrid $35,400 MSRP | — |
| 8 | Platinum $36,215 MSRP | — |
| 9 | ST-Line Elite $37,210 MSRP | — |
| 10 | Platinum $37,940 MSRP | — |
| 11 | ST-Line Elite $38,935 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Escape131 for sale
See all
Used2023 Ford Escape
Platinum
Vapor Blue Metallic•Ebony27,096 mi$28,275Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2024 Ford Escape
Platinum
Star White Metallic Tri Coat•Gray8,506 mi$30,270Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2019 Ford Escape
Titanium
Agate Black Metallic•Charcoal Black65,046 mi$19,470Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2021 Ford Escape
Titanium
Gray Metallic•Ebony83,247 mi$18,445Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2023 Ford Escape
Active
Agate Black Metallic•Gray30,488 mi$24,475Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2023 Ford Escape
Active
Iconic Silver Metallic•Ebony20,025 mi$24,475Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport4 for sale
See all
Used2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Base
Bronze•Beige141,561 mi$9,699McCarthy Hyundai of Topeka
Topeka, KS
Used2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
2.4L
Mineral Gray•gray115,571 mi$9,234Paramount Kia of Hickory
Hickory, NC
Used2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
2.0T Ultimate Auto
Mineral Gray•BLACK66,778 mi$17,411Hyundai of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Used2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
2.4L
Twilight Black•beige86,130 mi$13,213Sebring Toyota
Sebring, FL
Ford Escape vs Hyundai Santa Fe Sport FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Ford Escape or 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Ford Escape vs 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 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 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport starts lower at $24,950. Live Ford Escape listings start at $3,898. Live Hyundai Santa Fe Sport listings start at $9,234.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Ford Escape or 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
- The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (24,950).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Ford Escape or 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (40).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2026 Ford Escape or 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (37).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Ford Escape or 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on horsepower in this comparison (250).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Ford Escape vs 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Escape (5/5 NHTSA overall); Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (5/5 NHTSA overall).