Ford Escape vs Jeep Cherokee
The Ford Escape is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 41 mpg combined versus 37 mpg for the Jeep Cherokee, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Ford Escape leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Ford Escape
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 68 configurations
2015–2026
Jeep Cherokee
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 79 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ford Escape | Jeep Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 41 mpg ✓ | 37 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 44 mpg ✓ | 39 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 38 mpg ✓ | 35 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,500 ✓ | $1,650 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 52 g/mi ✓ | 241 g/mi |
| Engines offered | Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, PHEV, SIDI | Hybrid, 2.4, SIDI, 3.2 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 8-spd, Automatic (S8) | Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 9-spd |
| Drivetrains | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity, Gasoline or E85 | Regular, Gasoline or E85, Midgrade |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 68 | 79 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Escape vs Cherokee: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ford Escape or the Jeep Cherokee?
The Ford Escape is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 41 mpg combined versus 37 mpg for the Jeep Cherokee, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $150 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 $1,650 for the Jeep Cherokee — a difference of roughly $150 per year.
What engines do the Escape and Cherokee offer?
Ford Escape: Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, PHEV, SIDI. Jeep Cherokee: Hybrid, 2.4, SIDI, 3.2.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Ford Escape as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD and the Jeep Cherokee 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-jeep-cherokee