The 2026 Ford Escape gets 26 to 40 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Escape FWD PHEV at 40 mpg; the best regular gas version is the 2026 Escape FWD (3-cyl 1.5 L) at 30 mpg.
In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, the Escape ranks 3rd (tied with 1 other) of 66 for combined mileage (39 mpg), 3rd of 66 for yearly fuel cost ($1,600 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 8th (tied with 1 other) of 66 for tailpipe CO2 (225 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 27 mpg, costs $2,500 a year and puts out 329 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 15 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Escape's best version, 2 other models get the same and 217 get less. The 2026 Escape's cheapest version costs $1,600 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 15 cost less, none the same and 210 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 2026 Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD | 42 | $1,500 | 211 |
| 1 | 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 2026 RAV4 AWD SE & LE | 42 | $1,500 | 209 |
| 3 | 2026 Ford EscapeThis car | 2026 Escape AWD HEV | 39 | $1,600 | 225 |
| 3 | 2026 Lexus NX | 2026 NX 350h AWD | 39 | $2,000 | 225 |
| 5 | 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 2026 Tucson Hybrid Blue | 38 | $1,650 | 103 |
| 5 | 2026 Mazda CX-50 | 2026 CX-50 4WD (Hybrid, Automatic (variable gear ratios)) #2 | 38 | $1,650 | 233 |
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Escape FWD, 3-cyl 1.5 L: 27 mpg city, 34 highway, 30 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Escape version is $2,100 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The NX costs $121 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the NX costs $605 less to fuel than the Escape (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Escape (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Escape | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus NX | 2026 NX 350h AWD | 39 mpg | $2,000 | 1 lower | - | - |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 2026 Tucson Hybrid Blue | 38 mpg | $1,650 | 2 lower | - | Compare |
| 2026 Mazda CX-50 | 2026 CX-50 4WD (Hybrid, Automatic (variable gear ratios)) #2 | 38 mpg | $1,650 | 2 lower | - | - |
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version. For plug-in hybrids the miles per gallon and the yearly figure are for driving on gasoline only; the file gives no blended cost, because it depends on how often the car is charged (range is gasoline plus electric; the electric-only range has its own column).
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Range mi | Electric range mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escape FWD PHEVPlug-in hybrid | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-wheel | 42 | 37 | 40 | $1,550 on gasoline only | 222 | 520 | 37 | - |
| 2026 Escape AWD HEVHybrid | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Part-time 4-wheel | 42 | 36 | 39 | $1,600 | 225 | - | - | cheapest |
| 2026 Escape FWD | 3-cyl 1.5 L | Automatic 8-spd | Front-wheel | 27 | 34 | 30 | $2,100 | 298 | - | - | +$500 |
| 2026 Escape AWD (3-cyl 1.5 L) | 3-cyl 1.5 L | Automatic 8-spd | All-wheel | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,200 | 317 | - | - | +$600 |
| 2026 Escape AWD (4-cyl 2.0 L) | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic 8-spd | All-wheel | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 | - | - | +$800 |
The cheapest-to-run hybrid, the 2026 Escape AWD HEV (39 mpg, $1,600 a year), costs $500 a year less in fuel than the cheapest-to-run gas version, the 2026 Escape FWD (30 mpg, $2,100 a year).
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Escape; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Escape FWD PHEV puts out 222 grams per mile; across the 5 tested versions the figure runs from 222 to 342.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Escape FWD PHEV: fuel economy score 8 (5 to 8 across versions), greenhouse gas score 9 (5 to 9 across versions).
Cost per 100 miles uses electricity at $0.15 per kWh (as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA). Plug-in hybrid range counts gasoline too.
| Version | Range mi | Charge at 240 V | MPGe | kWh per 100 mi | Cost per 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escape FWD PHEVPlug-in hybrid | 520 | 3.2 h | 101 | 33 | $4.95 |
2026 Escape FWD PHEV: on gasoline alone the agency's file gives $1,550 a year (15,000 miles); on electricity, 33 kWh per 100 miles at $0.15 per kWh comes to about $743 a year if all 15,000 miles were driven that way. The real cost depends on how often the car is charged, so no single yearly cost is shown for it.
Best combined figure of the Escape gas version and hybrid each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 26 mpg | none | 5 | 14 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2017 | 26 mpg | none | 6 | 14 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2018 | 26 mpg | none | 6 | 14 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2019 | 26 mpg | none | 6 | 14 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2020 | 30 mpg | 41 mpg | 6 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2021 | 30 mpg | 41 mpg | 6 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2022 | 30 mpg | 41 mpg | 6 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2023 | 30 mpg | 40 mpg | 6 | same as 2026 | |
| 2024 | 30 mpg | 39 mpg | 5 | 1 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2025 | 30 mpg | 40 mpg | 6 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 30 mpg | 40 mpg | 5 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 6 versions were tested then and 5 now; the best figure went from 40 to 40 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escape FWD PHEV, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 40 mpg | 40 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Escape AWD HEV, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 39 mpg | 39 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Escape FWD, 3-cyl 1.5 L | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Escape AWD (3-cyl 1.5 L), 3-cyl 1.5 L | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Escape AWD (4-cyl 2.0 L), 4-cyl 2.0 L | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | no change |
1 2025 version has no match in 2026.
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 FORD ESCAPE GAS SUV N/A AWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| 2026 FORD ESCAPE HEV SUV HEV AWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency lists 5 variants; the first 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 3 complaints, 2 recalls, 0 investigations.
Includes agency records filed under: ESCAPE GAS, ESCAPE HEV, ESCAPE PHEV.
4 complaints for the 2026 Ford Escape are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | |
| Engine | 2 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
0 of the 4 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 0 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Includes agency records filed under: ESCAPE GAS, ESCAPE HEV, ESCAPE PHEV.
3 recalls are on file for the 2026 Ford Escape at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Includes agency records filed under: ESCAPE GAS, ESCAPE HEV, ESCAPE PHEV.
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.
Fix: The Secondary On Board Diagnostic Module C (SOBDMC) software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 16, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Ford Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Fix: Dealers will update the battery energy control module (BECM) and hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM) software, free of charge.
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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and secure, or replace the seat belt retractor bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 26, 2025.
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Escape itself is at 39 mpg.
More Ford models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2026 Escape FWD PHEV with 40 mpg combined (42 city, 37 highway). Among the regular gas versions it is the 2026 Escape FWD at 30 mpg.
The 2026 Ford Escape costs between $1,600 and $2,400 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Escape AWD HEV at $1,600; the dearest is the 2026 Escape AWD (4-cyl 2.0 L) at $2,400. For the plug-in hybrid versions the table and the calculator above give the cost of driving on gasoline only ($1,550 a year at 15,000 miles); no blended yearly cost is shown, because it depends on how often the car is charged. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
2026 Escape AWD HEV: 39 mpg combined (42 city, 36 highway); 2026 Escape AWD (3-cyl 1.5 L): 28 mpg combined (26 city, 32 highway); 2026 Escape AWD (4-cyl 2.0 L): 26 mpg combined (23 city, 31 highway).
In the agency's tests the best hybrid, the 2026 Escape AWD HEV, gets 39 mpg combined and the best non-hybrid, the 2026 Escape FWD, gets 30 mpg: 9 mpg more for the hybrid.
The 2026 Ford Escape is 3rd of 66 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross at 42 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 27 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Toyota RAV4 at 42 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Lexus NX at 39 mpg.
The 2025 model had 6 tested versions and the 2026 model has 5. The best figure went from 40 to 40 mpg (no change).
The 2026 Escape FWD PHEV takes 3.2 hours for a full charge at 240 volts and uses 33 kWh per 100 miles, about $4.95 per 100 miles at $0.15 per kWh.
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 FORD ESCAPE GAS SUV N/A AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4; 2026 FORD ESCAPE HEV SUV HEV AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4. The agency lists 5 variants; the first 2 are shown.
4 complaints for the 2026 Ford Escape are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Electrical System (2 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 3 recalls for the 2026 Ford Escape (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2026 Ford Escape: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Ford Escape: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Ford Escape: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Ford Escape: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Ford Escape: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.