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Ford Escape vs Hyundai Tucson

2026 Ford Escape vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Ford Escape

2026 Ford Escape

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 2Ford Escape wins 4 of 6 categories
Hyundai Tucson

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Ford Escape is more fuel-efficient: 40 vs 38 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $50 a year less in fuel for the Ford Escape (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

Across all model years since 2005, the Hyundai Tucson has had fewer recall campaigns (29 vs 84).

The two cars

The 2026 Ford Escape is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 1.5L 3-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive, part-time 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,419 lb (4dr SUV 1.5l AWD).

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,468 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2024 Escape and the 2021 Tucson have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2017 Escape and the 2016 Tucson.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Plug-in Hybrid, Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl, 1.5L 3-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
Front-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

40 MPG
Best combined MPG
38 MPG
42 city
City / highway MPG (best)
38 city
$1,700
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,750

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
187 hp
180.7 in
Length
182.3 in
74 in
Width
73.2 in
66.1 in
Height
64.2 in
3,283 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,340 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
13
3
Recalls (2026)
6
84
Recalls, all years since 2005
29
4
Owner complaints (latest year)
99

Interest

17,453
Wikipedia views, 30 days
22,259

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2021
2017
Year to avoid
2016

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Ford Escape if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (40 vs 38 MPG)

Choose the Hyundai Tucson if…

  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (29 vs 84 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Ford Escape

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 32% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Hyundai Tucson

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Full 2026 Ford Escape specs →Full 2026 Hyundai Tucson specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →