Peter Banks Are you in the market for a new crossover SUV and trying to decide between the Subaru Outback and the Ford Escape? Well, you are in the right place because, in this article, we will break down the key features and compare the two popular models to help you make an informed decision.
Key Takeaways
Before we dive into the details, let’s quickly summarize what we will cover in this article:
- The Subaru Outback is a larger and more powerful vehicle, while the Ford Escape offers better fuel economy and a more affordable price.
- The Outback has a more spacious interior, better safety features, and comes standard with all-wheel drive.
- The Ford Escape offers a more comfortable ride, better handling, and more advanced technology features.
- Both vehicles have their pros and cons, and the choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs.
Size and Power: Subaru Outback Wins
The first thing to consider when comparing these two models is their size and power. The Subaru Outback is a larger and more powerful vehicle, making it a better choice for those who need more cargo space or plan to tow a trailer.
The Outback comes with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. There is also an available 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that cranks out 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that delivers smooth and efficient performance.
On the other hand, the Ford Escape offers three engine options: a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine, and a hybrid powertrain. The base engine produces 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque, while the top-tier hybrid engine delivers 221 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. All three engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Overall, the Subaru Outback wins in terms of size and power, especially if you need to tow heavy loads or go off-road. However, the Ford Escape’s engine options offer more flexibility and better fuel economy.
Interior Space and Comfort: Subaru Outback Wins
The next factor to consider is the interior space and comfort. The Subaru Outback has more room for passengers and cargo, making it a better choice for families or those who need to haul large items.
The Outback offers 109 cubic feet of passenger space and 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. With the rear seats folded down, the cargo space expands to an impressive 75.7 cubic feet. Additionally, the Outback has a higher ground clearance, making it easier to get in and out of the vehicle.
The Ford Escape, on the other hand, has less interior space but offers a more comfortable ride. It has 104 cubic feet of passenger space and 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. With the rear seats folded down, the cargo space expands to 65.4 cubic feet. The Escape also has a lower ground clearance, making it easier to handle on the road.
Overall, the Subaru Outback wins in terms of interior space and practicality, while the Ford Escape offers better comfort and handling.
Safety Features: Subaru Outback Wins
Safety is a crucial factor to consider when buying a new vehicle. The good news is that both the Subaru Outback and the Ford Escape have excellent safety ratings and offer a wide array of advanced safety features.
The Outback received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It comes with standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera.
The Ford Escape also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It comes with standard safety features such as automatic high-beam headlights, a rearview camera, and lane departure warning with lane keeping assist. Additionally, the Escape offers advanced features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
Overall, the Subaru Outback wins in terms of safety features, as it offers more advanced features as standard equipment.
All-Wheel Drive: Subaru Outback Wins
All-wheel drive (AWD) is a feature that many buyers look for when purchasing a crossover SUV. The good news is that both the Subaru Outback and the Ford Escape offer AWD, but the Outback has an advantage in this category.
The Outback comes standard with AWD, which provides excellent traction and stability on all types of terrain. This feature is especially useful for those who live in areas with harsh weather conditions or who enjoy off-road adventures.
The Ford Escape offers AWD as an available option, but it is only available on higher trim levels and with certain engine configurations. This means that if you want AWD, you will need to pay more and sacrifice some of the fuel economy benefits that come with the front-wheel-drive models.
Overall, the Subaru Outback wins in terms of AWD, as it comes standard on all models and provides better traction and stability.
Technology Features: Ford Escape Wins
The last factor to consider when comparing these two models is the technology features. The Ford Escape offers more advanced technology features, making it a better choice for tech-savvy buyers.
The Escape comes with standard features such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. Higher trim levels offer features such as a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and wireless device charging.
The Subaru Outback also has an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system and offers features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. However, it lacks some of the more advanced features that the Escape offers.
Overall, the Ford Escape wins in terms of technology features, as it offers more advanced features and a better overall user experience.
FAQ
Q: Is the Subaru Outback more expensive than the Ford Escape?
A: The Subaru Outback has a higher starting price than the Ford Escape, but it comes with more standard features and offers better value for the money.
Q: Do both vehicles come with all-wheel drive?
A: The Subaru Outback comes standard with all-wheel drive, while the Ford Escape offers it as an available option on higher trim levels.
Q: Which vehicle is better for families?
A: The Subaru Outback is a better choice for families, as it offers more interior space and practicality.
Q: Which vehicle is better for off-road adventures?
A: The Subaru Outback is a better choice for off-road adventures, as it comes standard with all-wheel drive and has a higher ground clearance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Subaru Outback and the Ford Escape are great choices for anyone in the market for a new crossover SUV. The Outback offers more size, power, and safety features, while the Ford Escape offers more comfort and technology features.
Ultimately, the choice between these two vehicles depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you need more interior space and practicality, go for the Subaru Outback. If you prioritize comfort and technology features, choose the Ford Escape. Regardless of which vehicle you choose, you can’t go wrong with either one.
