What’s the Difference Between The Ford Edge and The Escape?

The Ford Edge and the Ford Escape are both a part of Ford’s crossover lineup. 

Both share similarities, but also have a host of differences when it comes to interior design, technology, and engine types. 

Being aware of how each crossover rates higher than the other in each category will help you make an informed decision about which to purchase. 

What are the Differences Between The Ford Edge and The Escape?

The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV while the Edge is considered mid-sized. The sleeker, more spacious Edge has more power but the Escape has better technology and offers hybrid and plug-in variants, and comes in at a lower price.

The differences between the Edge and the Escape are quite extensive. 

Several comparison points make each model suited to different individual tastes and preferences. 

Knowing the major differences as well as the nuances is crucial in choosing the one that fits you best. 

How Does The Ford Edge Compare with The Ford Escape?

The similarities between Edge and Escape include a few factors. 

They both have a seating capacity of five. 

They have both received an NHTSA safety rating of five stars. 

While certain aspects of their interior volume differ from each other, they have almost the same headroom and front legroom measurements. 

The latest models of both are both equipped with 8-speed automatic transmission. 

Both come with a factory coverage of 3 years/30,000 miles of basic warranty and 5 years/60,000 miles of powertrain warranty. 

Surprisingly, the smaller and less powerful Escape matches the maximum towing capacity of the Edge at 3,500 pounds. 

But despite these common features, they have several notable differences that could be crucial factors in your choice. 

Power and Performance

While Edge comes in the form of five versions, Escape has 12 versions from which to choose, with a few differences among those versions. 

The Edge has two engine choices while the Escape has four. 

All Edge models come with a 2-liter, V4 engine that generates 250 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. 

The only engine variant is the sportier Edge ST model that comes with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that can generate 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. 

Escape’s offerings include a 1.5-liter V3 engine that produces 180 horsepower, a 2-liter EcoBoost with 250 horsepower, and a 2.7-liter inline-four engine that generates 200 horsepower. 

All of Edge’s models come with standard front-wheel drive with optional four-wheel drive. 

Same with the Escape, except for its plug-in hybrid models, which only come with front-wheel drive. 

The Edge models generally boast a more powerful engine and better handling when compared to Escape. The Escape’s 250 horsepower V-4 comes close. 

Fuel Economy

When comparing the front-wheel-drive versions of the Edge and the Escape, the latter provides better fuel economy. 

The Edge provides around 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. 

In comparison, the 1.5-liter front-wheel-drive version of the Escape provides 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. 

The all-wheel-drive versions of the Escape provide around two to three mpg less. 

The 2-liter engine version of the Escape provides still less economy on city streets. 

However, the all-wheel-drive versions of the Edge provide almost the same economy as its front-wheel-drive versions. 

The Edge ST trim provides less economy than its other models as it is sportier. 

Overall, the Escape is a more fuel-efficient model when compared to the Edge. 

Its smaller size and lighter weight are prime contributors to this fact. 

The Escape comes with hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, making it a model with comparatively more fuel-efficient options than the Edge. 

Interior Quality and Space

Although the overall dimensions of the two models are different, with the Edge being in the midsize class and the Escape being a compact crossover, the headroom and legroom dimensions do not differ by much. 

The Edge is wider and does feel more spacious in that regard. 

One point to note is that adding a sunroof noticeably reduces headroom in the Edge. 

The Edge’s thick A-pillars and C-pillars can hamper visibility, but parking assist and blind-spot monitoring features can mitigate the risks involved.

The seats of the Edge are mounted at a height that could prove uncomfortable for petite drivers. 

However, the design of the Edge is sleek and streamlined when compared with the Escape, lending it a more stylish and cleaner look and also making it more ergonomic. 

The display is flush with the console in the Edge, while it is mounted on top in the Escape. 

The Escape also has buttons that protrude, another reason why the Edge has a cleaner interior in comparison. 

The cargo room is around 40 cubic feet in the Edge and around 35 cubic feet in the Escape. 

However, the Escape has adjustable back seats that may be slid forward to further increase cargo capacity by around 4 cubic feet. 

Technology and Features

The Edge comes with a 12-inch touchscreen, which is a bonus compared to the 8-inch touchscreen on the Escape. 

Both Edge and Escape are equipped with the SYNC infotainment system, with versions varying according to trim from the standard SYNC to the latest available SYNC 4A. 

SYNC includes AppLink, hands-free voice commands, and smart-charging USB ports. 

More advanced versions of SYNC also include smartphone integration like Apple Carplay and Android Auto, plus Waze navigation. 

The Escape comes with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. 

It is equipped with Active Park Assist 2.0, which is not available with Edge. 

A single push of a button allows the car to automatically ease into the parking space. 

Both models are equipped with Ford Co-pilot 360, which is a camera-and-sensor technology for safety and driver assistance. 

Some of the features include lane assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, collision warning, and auto braking, rear parking sensors, and dual-zone climate control.

Both models offer $G wi-fi modem connectivity for up to 10 devices. 

The Escape is outfitted with Type-A and Type-C USB charging ports, which are not included in the Edge. 

However, the Edge has 4 12-volt sockets and the Escape has 3 sockets. 

Overall, a few extra tech features give Escape a slight edge over Edge in this category. 

However, the most basic model of the Edge comes equipped with the latest SYNC 4A, while the Escape models include SYNC 3. 

Cost

The base models of the Edge range from $32,000 to $43,000. 

The base models of the Escape range from $25,000 to $36,000, with the hybrid and plug-in versions costing $2,000 to $5,000 more on average. 

The Edge falls into a larger class of crossovers and carries a higher price tag than the Escape. 

Is The Ford Edge Or The Escape Better?

While both Edge and Escape boast some very desirable technology, safety, and engine features, they also come with their share of issues. 

While deciding between the two lines of Ford crossovers, you may also want to be aware of which Edge models to avoid and which Escape models fare the best in their respective categories. 

After an overall assessment of the latest versions of the two crossovers, however, here is the bottom line.

The Edge is roomier and boasts a nicer interior, while the Escape is better for city driving as it is more compact, provides better fuel economy, has hybrid versions, and has parking assist. 

In the technology department, Escape has more up-to-date features and both models fare the same in terms of safety ratings.