Ford Escape vs Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 50 mpg combined versus 41 mpg for the Ford Escape, a 9 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.

Across 5 measured categories, the Hyundai Tucson leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.

2015–2026

Ford Escape

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 68 configurations

41mpg combined (best)
All Ford Escape specs

2015–2026

Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 62 configurations

50mpg combined (best)
All Hyundai Tucson specs

Head-to-head specifications

MetricFord EscapeHyundai Tucson
Best combined MPG41 mpg50 mpg
Best city MPG44 mpg49 mpg
Best highway MPG38 mpg51 mpg
Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year$1,500$1,600
Lowest CO2 output52 g/mi100 g/mi
Engines offeredHybrid, SIDI & PFI, PHEV, SIDISIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6
TransmissionsAutomatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 8-spd, Automatic (S8)Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8), Automatic (S6)
DrivetrainsPart-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel DriveAll-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel typesRegular, Regular Gas and Electricity, Gasoline or E85Regular Gas and Electricity, Regular, Hydrogen
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Years covered2015–20262015–2026
Configurations on record6862

Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.

Escape vs Tucson: common questions

Which is better on gas, the Ford Escape or the Hyundai Tucson?

The Hyundai Tucson is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 50 mpg combined versus 41 mpg for the Ford Escape, a 9 mpg advantage and costs about $100 less per year to fuel.

Which costs less to run per year?

By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Ford Escape runs about $1,500 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,600 for the Hyundai Tucson — a difference of roughly $100 per year.

What engines do the Escape and Tucson offer?

Ford Escape: Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, PHEV, SIDI. Hyundai Tucson: SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6.

Are they in the same vehicle class?

The EPA classifies the Ford Escape as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD and the Hyundai Tucson 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-hyundai-tucson