2026 Ford Escape vs. 2026 Hyundai Tucson

MotiveGrid scores the 2026 Hyundai Tucson 77 out of 100 versus the Ford Escape's 71, and says the Tucson is about $1,893 cheaper to own over five years based on national-average depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, financing, and registration assumptions, with the Escape priced at $30,350 and the Tucson at $29,300. Unhaggle's spec comparison shows the Escape's 1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder makes 180 hp and 199 lb-ft with combined fuel consumption of 8.0 L/100km, while the Tucson's 2.5L four-cylinder makes 187 hp and 178 lb-ft with combined fuel consumption of 8.8 L/100km, giving the Escape more torque and lower fuel consumption and the Tucson more horsepower.

Which to choose, and why

Tucson scores higher and costs less to own

MotiveGrid (opens in a new tab) scores the 2026 Hyundai Tucson 77 out of 100 versus the Ford Escape's 71, and says the Tucson is about $1,893 cheaper to own over five years based on national-average depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, financing, and registration assumptions, with the Escape priced at $30,350 and the Tucson at $29,300.

More torque and efficiency for the Escape, more hp for the Tucson

Unhaggle's (opens in a new tab) spec comparison shows the Escape's 1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder makes 180 hp and 199 lb-ft with combined fuel consumption of 8.0 L/100km, while the Tucson's 2.5L four-cylinder makes 187 hp and 178 lb-ft with combined fuel consumption of 8.8 L/100km, giving the Escape more torque and lower fuel consumption and the Tucson more horsepower.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper to own, the Ford Escape or Hyundai Tucson?

MotiveGrid (opens in a new tab) says the Tucson, by about $1,893 over five years.

Which has more horsepower, the Ford Escape or Hyundai Tucson?

Unhaggle (opens in a new tab) says the Tucson, at 187 hp versus the Escape's 180 hp.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Ford Escape: 5 records · Hyundai Tucson: 5 records.

Decision field	Ford Escape	Hyundai Tucson
Exact EPA records	5	5
Model / option labels	4	5
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	1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; PHEV, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI
Transmissions	Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 8-spd	Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity	Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity
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	26–38 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	37 miles	32 miles
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$1600–2500 per year	$1700–2500 per year

Head to head

Ford Escape vs. Hyundai Tucson: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Ford Escape	Hyundai Tucson
Starting price (KBB base)	$31,845	$31,050
Top trim price (KBB base)	$40,430	$42,525
Horsepower	180-250 hp	187 hp
Torque	154-275 lb-ft	178 lb-ft
Curb weight	3,420-3,670 lb	3,572-3,800 lb
Length	180.1 in	182.3 in
Wheelbase	106.7 in	108.5 in
Cargo volume	60.8-65.4 cu ft	80.3 cu ft
Towing capacity	1,500-3,500 lb	2,700 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	5 years

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

The Hyundai Tucson starts $795 lower: $31,050 against $31,845 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Ford Escape leads: 250 hp against 187 hp.
On peak torque, the Ford Escape leads: 275 lb-ft against 178 lb-ft.
The Ford Escape is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,420 lb against 3,572 lb.
On length, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 182.3 in against 180.1 in.
On wheelbase, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 108.5 in against 106.7 in.
On cargo volume, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 80.3 cu ft against 65.4 cu ft.
On maximum towing capacity, the Ford Escape leads: 3,500 lb against 2,700 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
On basic warranty, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 5 years against 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Ford Escape and the Hyundai Tucson.

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).

2026 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is a compact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. It is named after the city of Tucson, Arizona, U.S. The second-generation model was marketed as the Hyundai ix35 in several markets, including Europe, Australia and China, before reverting to Tucson for the third-generation.

Source: Hyundai Tucson (Wikipedia)

Safety. There are dual-stage frontal impact airbags, torso side-impact airbags built into the front seats, and curtain airbags for side-impact protection for front and rear passengers. The 2009 Hyundai Tucson was rated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Frontal Rating (Driver): Frontal Rating (Passenger): Side Rating (Driver): Side Rating (Passenger):

Powertrain. The Hyundai Tucson received accolades from Canadian Car of the Year Best New Crossover award for 2005. It was named as one of the most reliable vehicles from the 2009 Consumer Reports reliability survey.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Hyundai Tucson overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (12 campaigns across the latest model years)

June 2026, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle… Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
May 2026, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes. Consequence: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
April 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Side Impact. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment. Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Owners filed 283 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Hyundai Tucson, most often about forward collision avoidance (148), electrical system (63), unknown or other (57).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Ford Escape5 configurations →02 · 2026Hyundai Tucson5 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

14 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Ford Escape or the 2026 Hyundai Tucson?

Efficiency

The 2026 Ford Escape lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (33 vs. the 2026 Hyundai Tucson's 32 MPG/MPGe).