Ford Escape vs Subaru Forester

2024 Ford Escape
2024 Ford Escape
$28,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Subaru Forester
2026 Subaru Forester
$29,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2024 Ford Escape
$28,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Subaru Forester
$29,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced

2001-Present

Years produced

1998-Present

MSRP

$28,000

MSRP

$29,995

Listings

9737

Listings

9380

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

6.2 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.5 out of 10

Pros

  • Multiple powertrain options

  • Comfortable

  • Impressive technology

Cons

  • Interior materials feel cheap

  • Uncompetitive cargo space

  • Poor value for money

Pros

  • Impressive off-road capability

  • Lots of utility

  • Good safety ratings

Cons

  • Potentially polarizing design

  • Sluggish performance

  • Dissatisfying infotainment system

Reviews Summary

Reportedly, Ford will discontinue the Escape at the end of the current fourth-generation run. Once among the most popular vehicles in its class, Ford recently zigged with the Escape’s design and positioning when the market zagged. Boxy, rugged-looking crossovers are what people want, not soft and sophisticated pseudo-cars like the current Escape. Fortunately, Ford has the Bronco Sport in its lineup, which is getting all of the automaker’s attention. Meanwhile, the 2024 Ford Escape receives no major changes following a substantial makeover in 2023, though it appears the Base trim is canceled.

Reviews Summary

To create the 2026 Forester Wilderness, Subaru adds all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and improved angles of approach, breakover, and departure. Drivetrain modifications enhance traction, added underbody protection prevents damage when off-roading, and a full-size all-terrain spare tire is ready when you need it. Styling changes convey this model’s rugged capabilities, and Subaru outfits the interior for easy clean-up. All 2026 Forester models get a new center console design and updated protection for rear passengers in a collision.

Verdict: Push the new 2026 Forester Wilderness to its limits, and you’ll be impressed by its off-roading capability. But, even if you’re not planning to traverse challenging terrain, it is comforting to know that the Wilderness offers more competence than a typical crossover SUV when confronted with unexpected situations.

No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

1.5L 180 hp I3

Engine

2.5L 180 hp H4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

180 hp @ 6000 rpm

Horsepower

MPG City

27

MPG City

26

MPG Highway

34

MPG Highway

33
2024 Ford Escape
2024 Ford Escape
$28,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Subaru Forester
2026 Subaru Forester
$29,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2024 Ford Escape
$28,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2026 Subaru Forester
$29,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced
2001-Present
1998-Present
MSRP
$28,000
$29,995
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.2

4.4

Expert reviews

6.2 out of 10

Read full review

7.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Multiple powertrain options

  • Comfortable

  • Impressive technology

Cons

  • Interior materials feel cheap

  • Uncompetitive cargo space

  • Poor value for money

Pros

  • Impressive off-road capability

  • Lots of utility

  • Good safety ratings

Cons

  • Potentially polarizing design

  • Sluggish performance

  • Dissatisfying infotainment system

Summary
Reportedly, Ford will discontinue the Escape at the end of the current fourth-generation run. Once among the most popular vehicles in its class, Ford recently zigged with the Escape’s design and positioning when the market zagged. Boxy, rugged-looking crossovers are what people want, not soft and sophisticated pseudo-cars like the current Escape. Fortunately, Ford has the Bronco Sport in its lineup, which is getting all of the automaker’s attention. Meanwhile, the 2024 Ford Escape receives no major changes following a substantial makeover in 2023, though it appears the Base trim is canceled.

To create the 2026 Forester Wilderness, Subaru adds all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and improved angles of approach, breakover, and departure. Drivetrain modifications enhance traction, added underbody protection prevents damage when off-roading, and a full-size all-terrain spare tire is ready when you need it. Styling changes convey this model’s rugged capabilities, and Subaru outfits the interior for easy clean-up. All 2026 Forester models get a new center console design and updated protection for rear passengers in a collision.

Verdict: Push the new 2026 Forester Wilderness to its limits, and you’ll be impressed by its off-roading capability. But, even if you’re not planning to traverse challenging terrain, it is comforting to know that the Wilderness offers more competence than a typical crossover SUV when confronted with unexpected situations.

Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
1.5L 180 hp I3
2.5L 180 hp H4
Drive Train
FWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
180 hp @ 6000 rpm
MPG City
27
26
MPG Highway
34
33
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

2025 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Lincoln Aviator2025 Subaru Forester vs 2025 Acura MDX2024 Subaru Forester vs 2025 Acura MDX2024 Toyota Sienna vs 2025 Subaru Forester2024 Kia EV6 vs 2025 Subaru Forester2024 Lexus GX vs 2025 Subaru Forester2024 MINI Countryman vs 2024 Subaru Forester2024 Acura MDX vs 2025 Subaru Forester2024 Buick Enclave vs 2025 Subaru Forester2024 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Subaru Forester2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Subaru Forester2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2025 Subaru Forester2024 Toyota Sienna vs 2024 Subaru Forester2024 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Lincoln Aviator2024 MINI Countryman vs 2025 Subaru Forester2024 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Subaru Forester2024 Lincoln Navigator vs 2025 Subaru Forester2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Subaru Forester2024 Kia EV6 vs 2024 Subaru Forester2024 Lincoln Navigator vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Lexus GX vs 2023 Ford Escape2023 Lincoln Aviator vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Ford Escape vs 2024 Lincoln Aviator2023 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid2023 Lincoln Aviator vs 2023 Subaru Forester2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Honda Odyssey2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Subaru Forester2023 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Ford Escape vs 2024 Toyota Sienna2023 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2023 Ford Escape2023 Lexus GX vs 2023 Subaru Forester2023 Ford Escape vs 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport2023 Acura MDX vs 2024 Ford Escape2023 Ford Escape vs 2024 Lincoln Navigator2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Ford Escape2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2024 Subaru Forester2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Ford Escape2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Volvo XC902022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2022 Ford Escape2022 Ford Escape vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Kia EV62022 Kia EV6 vs 2023 Ford Escape2022 Ford Escape vs 2023 MINI Countryman2022 Ford Escape vs 2022 Nissan Rogue2022 Ford Escape vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid2022 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Subaru Forester2022 Lexus GX vs 2022 Subaru Forester2022 Acura MDX vs 2022 Ford Escape2022 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2023 Ford Escape2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Toyota Sienna2022 Ford Escape vs 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 52022 Ford Escape vs 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid2022 Buick Enclave vs 2022 Ford Escape2021 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Kia EV62021 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2021 Ford Escape2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.42021 Ford Escape vs 2022 Toyota Sienna2021 Lexus GX vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Ford Escape vs 2022 Nissan Rogue2021 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2021 Ford Escape2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Ford Escape2021 Ford Escape vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Ford Escape2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2022 Subaru Forester2021 Ford Escape vs 2022 Honda Odyssey