Ford Escape vs Volkswagen Atlas
The Ford Escape is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 41 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Volkswagen Atlas, a 16 mpg advantage and costs about $950 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
2018–2027
Volkswagen Atlas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 57 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ford Escape | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 41 mpg ✓ | 25 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 44 mpg ✓ | 22 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 38 mpg ✓ | 29 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,500 ✓ | $2,450 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 52 g/mi ✓ | 364 g/mi |
| Engines offered | Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, PHEV, SIDI | SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 8-spd, Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S8) |
| 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 | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2018–2027 |
| 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 Atlas: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ford Escape or the Volkswagen Atlas?
The Ford Escape is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 41 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Volkswagen Atlas, a 16 mpg advantage and costs about $950 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 $2,450 for the Volkswagen Atlas — a difference of roughly $950 per year.
What engines do the Escape and Atlas offer?
Ford Escape: Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, PHEV, SIDI. Volkswagen Atlas: SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Ford Escape as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD and the Volkswagen Atlas 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-volkswagen-atlas