Ford Escape vs Kia Niro
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2027 Kia Niro
Overview
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Kia NiroLX |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active | LX |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automated manual |
| Engine type | gas | hybrid |
| Model year | 2026 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Kia NiroLX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $30,350 | $29,890 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $12,380 (best) | — |
| Median listing price | $23,483 (best) | — |
| Highest listing price | $26,380 (best) | — |
| For sale now | 9 (best) | 0 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Kia NiroLX |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG | 50 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 27 MPG | 53 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG | 46 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 14.8 gal (best) | 11.1 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Kia NiroLX |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp (best) | 139 hp |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft (best) | 195 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 1.6 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I3 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Kia NiroLX |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 65.4 cu ft (best) | 64.1 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,273 lbs (best) | 3,362 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 6.3 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in | 107.1 in (best) |
| Length | 180.1 in (best) | 174 in |
| Width | 74.1 in (best) | 71.9 in |
| Height | 66 in (best) | 60.8 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Kia NiroLX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Kia Niro |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active $30,350 MSRP(Currently comparing) | LX $29,890 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active $31,750 MSRP | S $30,590 MSRP |
| 3 | ST-Line $31,195 MSRP | EX $31,390 MSRP |
| 4 | ST-Line $32,595 MSRP | SX $35,440 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line Select $33,890 MSRP | SX Touring $38,990 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line Select $35,015 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
Ford Escape vs Kia Niro FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Kia Niro?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Ford Escape vs 2027 Kia Niro 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 Kia Niro?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Kia Niro starts lower at $29,890. Live Ford Escape listings start at $12,380.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Kia Niro?
- The 2027 Kia Niro leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (29,890).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Kia Niro?
- The 2027 Kia Niro leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (50).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Kia Niro?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (37).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Kia Niro?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on horsepower in this comparison (250).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Ford Escape or 2027 Kia Niro?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Ford Escape vs 2027 Kia Niro?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Escape (5/5 NHTSA overall).