Ford Escape vs Subaru Outback
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Outback
Overview
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active | Premium |
| 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 | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $30,350 (best) | $34,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $3,898 (best) | $7,995 |
| Median listing price | $22,889 (best) | $42,338 |
| Highest listing price | $43,129 (best) | $53,175 |
| For sale now | 135 | 160 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG (best) | 28 MPG |
| City MPG | 27 MPG (best) | 26 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG (best) | 32 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 14.8 gal | 18 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 180 hp |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft (best) | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I3 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 65.4 cu ft | 80.5 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,273 lbs (best) | 3,741 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in | 108.1 in (best) |
| Length | 180.1 in | 191.7 in (best) |
| Width | 74.1 in (best) | 74 in |
| Height | 66 in | 67.5 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| 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 | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active $30,350 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Premium $34,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active $31,750 MSRP | Limited $41,715 MSRP |
| 3 | ST-Line $31,195 MSRP | Limited XT $44,365 MSRP |
| 4 | ST-Line $32,595 MSRP | Wilderness $44,995 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line Select $33,890 MSRP | Touring $45,395 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line Select $35,015 MSRP | Touring XT $47,995 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 Escape135 for sale
See all
Used2025 Ford Escape
Active
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
Subaru Outback160 for sale
See all
Used2013 Subaru Outback
2.5i
Satin White Pearl•Saddle Brown146,791 mi$8,990Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2024 Subaru Outback
Limited XT
Crystal White Pearl•Warm Ivory13,467 mi$30,686Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2023 Subaru Outback
Limited XT
Autumn Green Metallic•Warm Ivory74,887 mi$24,386Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2025 Subaru Outback
Premium
White•Black2,572 mi$30,096Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Used2024 Subaru Outback
Wilderness
Crystal Black Silica•gray35,213 mi$31,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2016 Subaru Outback
2.5i
Ice Silver Metallic•Black85,540 mi$15,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Ford Escape vs Subaru Outback FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Ford Escape vs 2026 Subaru Outback 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 Subaru Outback?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Ford Escape starts lower at $30,350. Live Ford Escape listings start at $3,898. Live Subaru Outback listings start at $7,995.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (30,350).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (40).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (37).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Subaru Outback leads on horsepower in this comparison (260).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Ford Escape vs 2026 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Escape (5/5 NHTSA overall); Subaru Outback (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall).