2021 Ford Escape vs Subaru Forester

2021 Ford Escape vs Subaru Forester


The tents are folded and packed, your daypacks are loaded up, your custom trail mix has been made—it’s time for a camping adventure. You have all the proper supplies by your side, from your hiking boots to your sleeping bag, but do you have the right ride to take you there?

The 2021 Ford Escape and the Subaru Forester are two adventurers ready for whatever Geneva, Canandaigua, and Rochester, NY, throw their way. But which one has the right bold spirit for your treks? The team at Friendly Ford is here to help you find out.

Let’s begin!


2021 Ford Escape Engine Specs

Ready for Action

To start, your road tripper needs to provide brawny performance to keep you engaged in your thrilling treks. The 2021 Ford Escape is ready for action with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost® engine under the hood delivering 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The Forester delivers similar power with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque from its baseline engine.

Want to kick it up a notch, though? The Escape is also available with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine that cranks out 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque for a more daring ride. This greater output leads to a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, allowing you to bring along a lightweight camper for the ride.

Unfortunately, the Subaru Forester only has the one motor option available to you and it maxes out at 1,500 pounds of maximum towing.


2021 Ford Escape MPG

Roam Farther With Impressive MPG

When you’re out on the open road, heading to your next campsite, nothing interrupts your road trip playlist more than having to find the closest gas station.

To help avoid this, the 2021 Ford Escape earns an EPA-estimated 28 city/34 highway MPG. The Subaru Forester also leaves the pump in your rearview with an EPA-estimated 26 city/33 highway MPG.

Once again, though, the Forester is limited by its sole powertrain option, while the Escape has two hybrid motors available to you:

  • 2.5-liter iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 hybrid engine: EPA-estimated 44 city/37 highway MPG
  • 2.5-liter iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 plug-in hybrid engine: EPA-estimated 105 combined MPGe

As you can see, these hybrids are built to take you far and wide without having to stop and refill often. With only a gas engine in the Forester, you won’t be able to maximize your vehicle’s fuel tank abilities.


Ford Escape Safety

A Safe Journey

No matter where the road takes you, you want to ensure you’re safe and secure the entire way. With the following systems coming standard in the Escape and the Forester, you’ll know you’re protected at every turn:

  • Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go
  • Lane Keeping System

To keep an extra eye out for danger, the 2021 Ford Escape also comes standard with a BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert. This feature alerts you when there’s another car traveling in your side blind zones so you’ll know when it’s safe to merge or change lanes. When you’re in reverse, it will also warn you to approaching vehicles.

While a similar feature is available in the Subaru Forester, it does not come standard, and you’ll need to upgrade to a higher trim level if you want its added layer of protection.


2021 Ford Escape vs Subaru Forester: Which SUV Will You Choose?

The great outdoors is calling your name, so which SUV will join you when you answer back? If you’re interested in the added protection and additional engine options the 2021 Ford Escape has to offer, then come check out this explorer at Friendly Ford.

Our Geneva, Canandaigua, and Rochester, New York, neighbors can contact us today to set up a test drive.


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