Ford Escape vs Volkswagen Tiguan
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Tiguan
Overview
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Volkswagen TiguanS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active | S |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Volkswagen TiguanS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $30,350 (best) | $30,805 |
| Lowest listing price | $3,898 (best) | $7,595 |
| Median listing price | $22,876 (best) | $32,540 |
| Highest listing price | $43,129 (best) | $47,398 |
| For sale now | 131 | 167 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Volkswagen TiguanS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| City MPG | 27 MPG (best) | 26 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG | 34 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 14.8 gal (best) | 14.5 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Volkswagen TiguanS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 201 hp (best) |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft | 207 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I3 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Volkswagen TiguanS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 65.4 cu ft | 69.8 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs (best) | 1,500 lbs |
| Payload | — | 959 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,273 lbs (best) | 3,563 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 6.6 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in | 109.9 in (best) |
| Length | 180.1 in | 184.4 in (best) |
| Width | 74.1 in (best) | 73 in |
| Height | 66 in | 66.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford EscapeActive | Volkswagen TiguanS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Volkswagen Tiguan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active $30,350 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $30,805 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active $31,750 MSRP | S $32,305 MSRP |
| 3 | ST-Line $31,195 MSRP | SE $33,605 MSRP |
| 4 | ST-Line $32,595 MSRP | SE $35,105 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line Select $33,890 MSRP | SE R-Line Black $37,245 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line Select $35,015 MSRP | SE R-Line Black $38,745 MSRP |
| 7 | Plug-In Hybrid $35,400 MSRP | SEL R-Line Turbo $43,085 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
Volkswagen Tiguan167 for sale
See all
Used2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
2.0T SE
Deep Black Pearl23,756 mi$24,697Peachtree Mitsubishi
Atlanta, GA
Used2022 Volkswagen Tiguan
2.0T SE
Blue•Cinnamon41,949 mi$19,800Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Used2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
Automatic
Silver Metallic•Gray102,274 mi$16,694Velocity Autohaus
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Used2021 Volkswagen Tiguan
2.0T SE
Deep Black Pearl•Titan Black79,847 mi$16,231Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
- Used
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
2.0T S
65,119 mi$18,118Matt Bowers Chevrolet Slidell
Slidell, LA
Used2023 Volkswagen Tiguan
SE R-Line Black
black15,793 mi$23,367Kendall Hyundai
Miami, FL
Ford Escape vs Volkswagen Tiguan FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Ford Escape vs 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan 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 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Ford Escape starts lower at $30,350. Live Ford Escape listings start at $3,898. Live Volkswagen Tiguan listings start at $7,595.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (30,350).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (40).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- The 2026 Ford Escape leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (37).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan leads on horsepower in this comparison (268).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Ford Escape or 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- 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 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Escape (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Tiguan (5/5 NHTSA overall).