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Ford Escape vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Which SUV Is Right For You?

If you’re in the market for a compact SUV, there’s no shortage of choices. Two of the top contenders that offer excellent value for the money are the Ford Escape and the Mitsubishi Outlander. These vehicles are practical, efficient, and come with a range of features that make daily driving more enjoyable. But when it comes to picking between the Ford Escape and the Mitsubishi Outlander, which one is the best fit for you? Let's dive into the details, breaking down all the key points, pros and cons, to help you make the most informed decision.

Ford Escape vs Mitsubishi Outlander Overview

The Contenders

The Ford Escape is a compact SUV that has been a popular choice among drivers for its agile handling, smooth ride, and a wide range of powertrain options, including a hybrid and plug-in hybrid version. It aims to balance comfort, technology, and practicality in a stylish package.

The Mitsubishi Outlander on the other hand, comes with a refreshed design, offering a solid blend of 7-passenger seating, rugged capability, and a focus on safety features. It shares some underpinnings with its alliance partner Nissan Rogue, providing an improved ride and handling experience compared to its previous generation.

Key Differences at a Glance

  • Seating Capacity: The Outlander comes with standard 3-row seating, while the Escape offers 2-row seating only. If you need more seats, Outlander has the upper hand.

  • Engine Choices: Ford Escape provides multiple engine options, including a turbocharged engine and hybrids. The Outlander sticks with a single 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine across most trims.

  • Cargo Space: Ford Escape has a more generous cargo area with seats folded, but the Outlander has some tricks with adjustable cargo configurations.

  • Price Range: Pricing can vary, but the Escape tends to start a little lower than the Outlander on base models, though Outlander may offer more standard features for its price.

Performance and Engines

Ford Escape: Efficient Power Variety

The Ford Escape comes with multiple powertrain options. It offers a 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, producing 181 hp, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 250 hp for those seeking more power. Additionally, Ford has gone the extra mile to provide hybrid and plug-in hybrid options that deliver better fuel economy, making it appealing for eco-conscious drivers.

Pros of Ford Escape Engines:

  • Choice of powertrains including hybrid options
  • Sporty handling and responsive steering
  • Smooth acceleration especially on the turbo 2.0-liter model

Cons of Ford Escape Engines:

  • 3-cylinder base engine can be a bit noisy
  • The plug-in hybrid variant is pricier
  • No V6 option for those wanting more power

Mitsubishi Outlander: Balanced and Predictable

The Mitsubishi Outlander has a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 181 hp. It's a solid performer for everyday driving but may not be as quick or responsive as the more powerful Ford Escape engines. Mitsubishi also offers an Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) variant that has more power and better efficiency but at a steeper price.

Pros of Mitsubishi Outlander Engines:

  • Standard all-wheel drive on many trims
  • Predictable and stable ride quality
  • Quiet cabin at highway speeds

Cons of Mitsubishi Outlander Engines:

  • Only one gas engine choice across trims
  • Acceleration feels sluggish compared to Escape
  • No hybrid variant until you jump to the PHEV model

Interior and Comfort

Ford Escape Interior: Contemporary and Comfortable

The Ford Escape provides a more modern interior, with soft-touch materials and a sleek design that feels upscale for its segment. The front seats are well-padded, offering a good level of comfort for long drives. Rear passengers will also appreciate the ample legroom, and the sliding rear seats allow you to adjust for more cargo space if needed.

Comfort Features of Ford Escape:

  • Heated front seats available
  • Dual-zone climate control on mid-tier trims
  • Panoramic sunroof option for an airy cabin

Drawbacks of Ford Escape Interior:

  • Some plastic trim in lower areas feels cheap
  • Base trim lacks standard tech features like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
  • Rear seats are slightly firmer than expected

Mitsubishi Outlander Interior: Spacious with a Touch of Luxury

The Mitsubishi Outlander has a practical and stylish cabin, with a more straightforward design but with a touch of sophistication in higher trims. One key highlight is the 3rd-row seating—rare in this class—which adds versatility for families, though the third row is best suited for kids or shorter trips.

Comfort Features of Mitsubishi Outlander:

  • 7-passenger seating with 3rd-row option
  • Quilted leather upholstery available on top trims
  • High-mounted center console gives a commanding feel

Drawbacks of Mitsubishi Outlander Interior:

  • 3rd-row seating is tight and can feel cramped
  • Limited legroom in the second row compared to Escape
  • Infotainment system can be laggy and less intuitive

Technology and Infotainment

Ford Escape Technology: Intuitive and Advanced

Ford has made sure the Escape is well-equipped with technology across its trims. The 8-inch touchscreen on most models is user-friendly, and SYNC 3 software offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and FordPass Connect, which allows you to start and monitor your car remotely.

Tech Highlights of Ford Escape:

  • Digital instrument cluster available
  • Wireless charging pad on higher trims
  • Bang & Olufsen premium sound system

Tech Downside of Ford Escape:

  • Base model’s screen is small and lacks features
  • Voice controls can be hit or miss
  • Software updates are not always OTA (over-the-air)

Mitsubishi Outlander Technology: Improved But Simple

The Mitsubishi Outlander also offers modern tech features, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen or an optional 9-inch screen in higher trims. The infotainment system is paired with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but some controls are not as intuitive as Ford’s SYNC system.

Tech Highlights of Mitsubishi Outlander:

  • Head-up display available on higher trims
  • Digital driver display for important information
  • BOSE premium sound system in top trims

Tech Downside of Mitsubishi Outlander:

  • Slower response time on touchscreen
  • Non-intuitive controls for some features
  • Limited tech on base trim models

Cargo Space and Utility

Ford Escape Cargo: Flexible and Spacious

The Ford Escape provides a practical cargo area, with the rear seats offering a 60/40 split-fold to maximize storage space. With the seats folded, the Escape has 65.4 cubic feet of space, making it one of the more spacious compact SUVs in its segment.

Pros of Ford Escape Cargo:

  • Sliding rear seats allow for cargo/legroom adjustment
  • Flat load floor when seats are folded down
  • Hands-free liftgate on higher trims

Cons of Ford Escape Cargo:

  • Less cargo space behind rear seats than some competitors
  • Spare tire storage reduces under-floor cargo space

Mitsubishi Outlander Cargo: Practical But Limited

The Mitsubishi Outlander provides a unique cargo setup thanks to its 3rd-row seats. With all seats up, cargo space is limited, but folding down the 3rd-row provides a much larger area. When both rows are folded down, you get 79.7 cubic feet of total cargo space.

Pros of Mitsubishi Outlander Cargo:

  • Ample cargo space with 3rd-row folded
  • Adjustable cargo floor height for versatility
  • Cargo cover included in most trims

Cons of Mitsubishi Outlander Cargo:

  • Tight cargo area with all rows in use
  • Loading height can be high for some users
  • Third-row seats take up valuable cargo space when in use

Fuel Economy and Pricing

Ford Escape: Efficient Yet Affordable

The Ford Escape has excellent fuel economy, particularly in its hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. The standard 1.5-liter engine offers around 28 mpg combined while the hybrid can achieve up to 41 mpg combined.

Pricing of Ford Escape:

  • Base trim starts around $28,000
  • Hybrid models start higher but may save on fuel in the long run
  • Top trims can exceed $40,000 with all options included

Mitsubishi Outlander: Decent MPG But Better Value in Features

The Mitsubishi Outlander provides around 26 mpg combined from its 2.5-liter engine. It's not as efficient as the Escape's hybrid models, but it’s respectable for a 7-seater SUV. The PHEV version offers better efficiency but with a higher price tag.

Pricing of Mitsubishi Outlander:

  • Base model starts around $29,000
  • Well-equipped trims with AWD can be around $35,000
  • PHEV models exceed $40,000

Safety and Reliability

Ford Escape Safety: Feature-Rich

The Ford Escape comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which includes features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It's rated well by IIHS and NHTSA, offering solid safety scores.

Mitsubishi Outlander Safety: Redesigned Focus

The Mitsubishi Outlander has an array of standard safety features, such as Forward Collision Mitigation, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Its 5-star NHTSA rating speaks well to its improved safety standards.

Final Thoughts and Personal Opinion

Alex Collantes, an automotive enthusiast and regular driver of both SUVs, says: “Both the Ford Escape and Mitsubishi Outlander have their pros and cons. The Escape drives like a dream with its hybrid options but lacks that 3rd-row utility the Outlander provides. On the other hand, the Outlander feels more refined and versatile with its 7-seating but it could benefit from more powerful engine options.”

Conclusion: Which SUV Wins?

It all comes down to your needs and preferences. If you're looking for a family-friendly SUV with 3rd-row seating and a balanced ride, the Mitsubishi Outlander might be your top pick. However, if you want a fun-to-drive SUV with efficient powertrain options, including hybrids, the Ford Escape has the edge.

Both the Ford Escape and Mitsubishi Outlander are solid choices—just make sure you prioritize what features and capabilities matter most to you.