Ford Escape vs Jeep Cherokee
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Jeep Cherokee
Overview
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Jeep Cherokee4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active | 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | hybrid |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Jeep Cherokee4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $30,350 (best) | $35,000 |
| Lowest listing price | $12,380 (best) | $35,475 |
| Median listing price | $23,483 (best) | $36,935 |
| Highest listing price | $26,380 (best) | $40,875 |
| For sale now | 9 | 14 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Jeep Cherokee4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG | 37 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 27 MPG | 39 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG | 35 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 14.8 gal (best) | 13.7 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Jeep Cherokee4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp (best) | 177 hp |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft | 221 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 1.6 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I3 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Jeep Cherokee4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 65.4 cu ft | 68.3 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs | 3,500 lbs (best) |
| Payload | — | 850 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,273 lbs (best) | 4,295 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 8 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in | 113 in (best) |
| Length | 180.1 in | 188.1 in (best) |
| Width | 74.1 in | 74.7 in (best) |
| Height | 66 in | 67.5 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Jeep Cherokee4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (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 | Jeep Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active $30,350 MSRP(Currently comparing) | 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid CVT) $35,000 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active $31,750 MSRP | Laredo $38,000 MSRP |
| 3 | ST-Line $31,195 MSRP | Limited $40,000 MSRP |
| 4 | ST-Line $32,595 MSRP | Limited Altitude $40,595 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line Select $33,890 MSRP | 85th Anniversary Edition $40,905 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line Select $35,015 MSRP | Overland $43,000 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 Escape9 for sale
See all
Used2024 Ford Escape
ST-Line
Vapor Blue Metallic•Ebony w/Red Stitching24,445 mi$24,270Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2017 Ford Escape
Titanium
White Gold•Charcoal Black107,648 mi$12,380Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Escape
Platinum
Agate Black Metallic•Ebony32,710 mi$26,380Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2019 Ford Escape
Titanium
Agate Black Metallic•Charcoal Black65,046 mi$19,470Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2023 Ford Escape
Active
Agate Black Metallic•Gray30,488 mi$23,483Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2023 Ford Escape
Active
Iconic Silver Metallic•Ebony20,025 mi$23,483Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Jeep Cherokee14 for sale
See all
New2026 Jeep Cherokee
Laredo 4x4
41 Exterior Paint•Black / Arctic Interior Colors1 mi$36,575MSRP $41,905Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 Jeep Cherokee
85th Anniversary 4x4
Bright White Clear-Coat Exterior Paint•Global Black Interior Color1 mi$38,195MSRP $43,620Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 Jeep Cherokee
Laredo 4x4
Hydro Blue Pearl-Coat Exterior Paint•Black / Arctic Interior Colors1 mi$35,995MSRP $41,310Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 Jeep Cherokee
85th Anniversary 4x4
Diamond Black Crystal Pearl-Coat Exterior Paint•Global Black Interior Color1 mi$38,690MSRP $44,215Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 Jeep Cherokee
Limited 4x4
Red Hot Pearl-Coat Exterior Paint•Global Black Interior Color1 mi$37,295MSRP $42,715Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 Jeep Cherokee
Limited 4x4
Diamond Black Crystal Pearl-Coat Exterior Paint•Global Black Interior Color1 mi$37,875MSRP $43,310Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
Ford Escape vs Jeep Cherokee FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Jeep Cherokee?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Ford Escape vs 2026 Jeep Cherokee 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 2026 Jeep Cherokee?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Ford Escape starts lower at $30,350. Live Ford Escape listings start at $12,380. Live Jeep Cherokee listings start at $35,475.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Jeep Cherokee?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (30,350).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Jeep Cherokee?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (40).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Jeep Cherokee?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (37).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Jeep Cherokee?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on horsepower in this comparison (250).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Ford Escape vs 2026 Jeep Cherokee?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Escape (5/5 NHTSA overall).