Hyundai Tucson vs Ford Escape
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
Hyundai Tucson
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 62 configurations
2015–2026
Ford Escape
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 68 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Hyundai Tucson | Ford Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 50 mpg ✓ | 41 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 49 mpg ✓ | 44 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 51 mpg ✓ | 38 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,600 | $1,500 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 100 g/mi | 52 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6 | Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, PHEV, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8), Automatic (S6) | Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic 8-spd, Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular Gas and Electricity, Regular, Hydrogen | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity, Gasoline or E85 |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 62 | 68 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Tucson vs Escape: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Hyundai Tucson or the Ford Escape?
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 Tucson and Escape offer?
Hyundai Tucson: SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6. Ford Escape: Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, PHEV, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Hyundai Tucson as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and the Ford Escape as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Tucson comparisons
Comparison id: hyundai-tucson-vs-ford-escape