Ford Escape vs Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 109 mpg combined versus 41 mpg for the Ford Escape, a 68 mpg advantage and costs about $800 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Chevrolet Equinox leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Ford Escape
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 68 configurations
2015–2027
Chevrolet Equinox
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 57 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ford Escape | Chevrolet Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 41 mpg | 109 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 44 mpg | 117 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 38 mpg | 100 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,500 | $700 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 52 g/mi ✓ | 310 g/mi |
| Engines offered | Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, PHEV, SIDI | SIDI, 1.6, SIDI; FFV |
| Transmissions | Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 8-spd, Automatic (S8) | Automatic (A1), Automatic 8-spd, Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Drivetrains | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity, Gasoline or E85 | Electricity, Regular, Premium |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 68 | 57 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Escape vs Equinox: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ford Escape or the Chevrolet Equinox?
The Chevrolet Equinox is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 109 mpg combined versus 41 mpg for the Ford Escape, a 68 mpg advantage and costs about $800 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Chevrolet Equinox runs about $700 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,500 for the Ford Escape — a difference of roughly $800 per year.
What engines do the Escape and Equinox offer?
Ford Escape: Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, PHEV, SIDI. Chevrolet Equinox: SIDI, 1.6, SIDI; FFV.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Ford Escape as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD and the Chevrolet Equinox as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Escape comparisons
Comparison id: ford-escape-vs-chevrolet-equinox