Ford Escape Vs. Ford Explorer
In the 1990s Ford introduced the Explorer and sold more than 400,000 of them annually before the turn of the new millennium. In 2001, Ford introduced the Escape, and in the highly populated and competitive small SUV segment, Ford has been able to use the Escape to climb to the top. Both the Explorer and the Escape have been best sellers, despite their differences. Information from the 2010 model year, the current year at the time this article was written, was used to ensure current, accurate and fair coverage of both SUVs.
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Drivetrain
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Ford Explorer is available with a 210 horsepower, 4.0-liter V6, or 292 horsepower, 4.6-liter V8 engine. V6 model Explorers are mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, while V8 models are coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Ford Escape is available with a 171 horsepower, 2.5-liter I-4, or 240 horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine. I-4 model Escapes are available with a 5-speed manual transmission or 6-speed automatic. All V6 models come standard with the 6-speed automatic transmission. A hybrid engine is also available in the Escape.
Towing
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V6 and V8 model Explorers equipped with a standard Class II towing package and 3.55 axle ratio are capable of towing 3,500 lbs., when properly equipped. Towing capacity of the Explorer can be increased to 7,115 lbs., on specific models, when equipped with an available Class III/IV towing package.
I-4 model Escapes have a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. while V6 models, equipped with a Class II towing package, are capable of towing 3,500 lbs. Hybrid models are not rated for towing by Ford.
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Cargo Volume
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Ford Explorer is available with five passenger or seven passenger seating. 5-passenger models provide 45.1 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row and 85.8 cubic feet behind the first row. 7-passenger models offer 13.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 83.7 cubic feet behind the first row.
Ford Escape is available as a 5-passenger vehicle. This provides 31.4 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row and 67.2 cubic feet behind the first row. Hybrid models provide slightly less cargo volume with 27.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 66.1 cubic feet behind the first row.
Fuel Economy
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Both V6 and V8 model Explorers have an EPA estimated 14 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city. V6 models assume an EPA estimate of 20 mpg on the highway for 4x2 models and 19 mpg on the highway for 4x4 V8 models.
Front wheel-drive Escapes equipped with an I-4 engine and manual transmission have EPA estimates of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Automatic versions are estimated at 21 mpg city. Four wheel-drive I-4 models, with an automatic transmission, are estimated at 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. V6 model Escapes have an EPA estimated 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway for front wheel-drive models, and 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway for four wheel-drive. Front wheel-drive hybrid models assume an EPA estimated 34 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Four wheel-drive model hybrids are estimated for 30 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
Dimensions
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All models of the Ford Explorer are 193.4 inches long, 84.8 inches wide, and 71.9 inches tall.
Non-hybrid models of the Escape are 174.7 inches long, 81.3 inches wide, and 67.9 inches tall. Hybrid Escapes are 174.7 inches long, 81.3 inches wide, and 67.7 inches tall.
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References
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