2025 Ford Escape vs. 2026 Chevrolet Equinox

The Escape spans 180–250 horsepower and 6 mapped trim positions; the Equinox spans 175 horsepower and 3. The better fit depends on the exact powertrain, drivetrain and equipment path. This comparison weighs powertrain range, drivetrain, trim structure, capability, seating & cargo, using each vehicle's own verified manufacturer and EPA-sourced facts instead of a single averaged rating. The Escape carries 6 mapped trim positions and 3 linked sources; the Equinox carries 3 and 3, so either side can be verified against its own primary record instead of taken on this page's summary alone. Configuration, not badge name, decides which one actually fits. Check the exact trim and powertrain before treating either vehicle's specification as settled.

Checked Aug. 17, 2026United States specifications6 linked sources

Decision fieldFord EscapeChevrolet Equinox

Power180–250 hp175 hp

DrivetrainFWD / AWDFWD / AWD

Trim map6 published positions3 published positions

Seating55

Powertrain contextPowertrain: 1.5L EcoBoost, 2.0L EcoBoost, hybrid or plug-in hybrid · Output: 180–250 hpEngine: 1.5L turbo I-4 · Output: 175 hp

Towing contextThe most the 2025 Ford Escape is published to tow is up to 3,500 lb.Chevrolet rates the Equinox to tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped with available all-wheel drive.

Ranges and maximums describe family-level possibilities. Open each vehicle record before treating a number or feature as applicable to a particular trim.

What separates them

Four decisions that change the answer.

This comparison does not force a universal winner. It identifies the configuration question that matters for each use case.

Powertrain range

Escape: Powertrain 1.5L EcoBoost, 2.0L EcoBoost, hybrid or plug-in hybrid; Output 180–250 hp. Equinox: Engine 1.5L turbo I-4; Output 175 hp.

Drivetrain

The Escape is represented with FWD / AWD; the Equinox with FWD / AWD. Standard status must be checked by trim.

Trim structure

The Escape comes in 6 trims and the Equinox in 3. Package combinations can create additional builds.

Capability

The most the 2025 Ford Escape is published to tow is up to 3,500 lb. Chevrolet rates the Equinox to tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped with available all-wheel drive.

Seating & cargo

The 2025 Ford Escape seats 5 (compact SUV). The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox has seating for five people.

Model-year note: the Ford Escape figures below come from EPA's 2026 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it; the Chevrolet Equinox figures below come from EPA's 2027 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Ford Escape: 5 records · Chevrolet Equinox: 4 records.

Decision field	Ford Escape	Chevrolet Equinox
Exact EPA records	5	4
Model / option labels	4	4
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	1.5L 3-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid, 2.5L 4-cyl PHEV, 2L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI	1.5L 4-cyl SIDI, Electric motor / not listed
Transmissions	Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 8-spd	Automatic (A1), Automatic 8-spd
Fuel types	Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity	Electricity, Regular
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	26–40 MPG/MPGe	26–108 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	37 miles	307–319 miles
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$1600–2500 per year	$700–2500 per year

Head to head

Ford Escape vs. Chevrolet Equinox: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Ford Escape	Chevrolet Equinox
Starting price (KBB base)	$31,845	$30,995
Top trim price (KBB base)	$40,430	$37,895
Horsepower	180-250 hp	175 hp
Torque	154-275 lb-ft	203 lb-ft
Curb weight	3,420-3,670 lb	3,583-3,629 lb
Length	180.1 in	183.2 in
Wheelbase	106.7 in	107.5 in
Cargo volume	60.8-65.4 cu ft	63.5 cu ft
Towing capacity	1,500-3,500 lb	n/a
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 and 2027 model years); prices are KBB base prices.

The Chevrolet Equinox starts $850 lower: $30,995 against $31,845 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Ford Escape leads: 250 hp against 175 hp.
On peak torque, the Ford Escape leads: 275 lb-ft against 203 lb-ft.
The Ford Escape is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,420 lb against 3,583 lb.
On length, the Chevrolet Equinox leads: 183.2 in against 180.1 in.
On wheelbase, the Chevrolet Equinox leads: 107.5 in against 106.7 in.
On cargo volume, the Ford Escape leads: 65.4 cu ft against 63.5 cu ft.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Ford Escape and the Chevrolet Equinox.

2026 Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company from the 2001 to the 2026 model years across four generations, as Ford's first SUV derived from a car platform. Introduced for model year 2005, the Escape's hybrid electric variant was both Ford's first hybrid-electric vehicle and the first hybrid SUV in the U.S. market by any manufacturer. The Escape was sized between the Ford EcoSport and Ford Edge.

Safety: Crash-test results for the Escape have been mixed. In the New Car Assessment Program administered by the US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the car received five out of five stars for driver protection and four out of five stars for passenger protection in a 35 mph (56 km/h) frontal impact. The SUV received five stars for both driver and rear passenger in the side impact test.

Source: Ford Escape (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2024 Ford Escape overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (15 campaigns across the latest model years)

May 2026, Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Internal:Park Pawl. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of… Consequence: A loss of park function can allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
March 2026, Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve). Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power. Consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
December 2025, Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Corsair and Escape vehicles. The seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened. Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Owners filed 76 complaints with NHTSA for the 2024 Ford Escape, most often about electrical system (27), forward collision avoidance (19), lane departure (18).

2027 Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox is a crossover SUV introduced by Chevrolet in 2004 for the 2005 model year. It was intended to replace the North American Chevrolet Tracker and Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. The third-generation Equinox also replaced the first-generation Chevrolet Captiva.

Source: Chevrolet Equinox (Wikipedia)

Recent recalls (1 campaign across the latest model years)

February 2026, Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual. General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette… Consequence: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Owners filed 227 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox, most often about electrical system (75), unknown or other (49), power train (34).

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Ford Escape or the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox?

Efficiency

The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (67 vs. the 2026 Ford Escape's 33 MPG/MPGe).