SUV research for U.S. shoppers
Dimensions · Space · Buying guides

SUVLook comparison lab

2026 Ford Escape vs 2026 Subaru Forester

Price, size, cabin, cargo, towing, safety and ownership side by side. Every value comes from the cited sources in each model-year profile, and gaps stay labeled instead of guessed.

Build a comparisonChange the SUVs
Swap A and B

Key differences

Where the published numbers differ

No overall winner: each line is one source-backed figure. Decide which ones matter for how you will use the SUV.

AEscape has

  • Wheelbaselonger wheelbase by 1.6 in
  • Rear legroommore rear legroom by 1.3 in
  • Maximum towinghigher towing rating by 2,000 lb

BForester has

  • Starting pricelower starting price by $355
  • Overall lengthlonger by 3.2 in

=Same figure

None of the compared fields are identical.

Head-to-head

The numbers, side by side

Bars share one scale starting at zero, so small real differences are not exaggerated. Where a profile lists several figures, the highest published one is used.

EscapeForester
Starting price2026 Subaru Forester: lower starting price by $355
$30,350
$29,995
Overall length2026 Subaru Forester: longer by 3.2 in
180.1 in
183.3 in
Wheelbase2026 Ford Escape: longer wheelbase by 1.6 in
106.7 in
105.1 in
Rear legroom2026 Ford Escape: more rear legroom by 1.3 in
40.7 in max
39.4 in
Maximum towing2026 Ford Escape: higher towing rating by 2,000 lb
3,500 lb
1,500 lb

Decision snapshot

Six buyer questions, without an overall winner.

Each card compares one documented criterion. A lead is shown only when both source-backed values use a compatible measurement; otherwise the raw facts stay visible and the criterion stays unresolved.

Starting priceStarting MSRP
AEscape$30,350Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
BForester$29,995Base gas Forester

2026 Subaru Forester has lower published starting MSRP by $355.

EfficiencyAWD / alternate fuel economy
AEscape42 / 36 / 39 mpgManufacturer-published U.S. specification
BForesterAbout 25 city / 32 highway mpgSubaru published estimates

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Maximum cargoMaximum cargo volume
AEscapeNot verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile
BForester74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Rear-seat roomRear legroom
AEscape40.7 in maxSliding second row
BForester39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification

2026 Ford Escape has more published rear/second-row legroom by 1.3 in.

Maximum towingMaximum towing
AEscape3,500 lb2.0L with tow package
BForester1,500 lbProperly equipped

2026 Ford Escape has higher published maximum towing rating by 2,000 lb.

Basic warrantyNew-vehicle / basic warranty
AEscapeVerify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service date
BForesterConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileage

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Table view

At a glance

Key specifications

3 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Ford EscapeB2026 Subaru Forester
Starting MSRPDifferent$30,350Manufacturer-published U.S. specification$29,995Base gas Forester
Maximum cargoDifferent65.4 cu ftEcoBoost74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Maximum towingDifferent3,500 lb2.0L with package1,500 lbProperly equipped
Primary engine / systemData gap—No source-backed value verified yet2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification
Primary outputData gap—No source-backed value verified yet180 hp2.5L BOXER
DrivetrainData gap—No source-backed value verified yetSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup
SeatingData gap—No source-backed value verified yet5Subaru U.S. specification
Cargo behind rear seatData gap—No source-backed value verified yet29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration

Price & trims

Pricing and trim lineup

4 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Ford EscapeB2026 Subaru Forester
Starting MSRPDifferent$30,350Manufacturer-published U.S. specification$29,995Base gas Forester
Entry trimDifferentActive · 2026 trim1.5L EcoBoostBase · $29,995Gas
Highest listed trimDifferentPlug-in Hybrid · 2026 trimPHEVTouring Hybrid · $41,545Hybrid
Trim lineupDifferentActive · ST-Line family · Platinum · Plug-in Hybrid4 researched trimsBase · Premium · Premium Hybrid · Sport · Wilderness · Sport Hybrid · Limited · Limited Hybrid · Touring · Touring Hybrid10 researched trims

Performance

Engine, output and drivetrain

0 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Ford EscapeB2026 Subaru Forester
Engine / primary systemData gap—No source-backed value verified yet2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification
Primary outputData gap—No source-backed value verified yet180 hp / 178 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification
Hybrid outputData gap—No source-backed value verified yet194 hpSubaru Hybrid System
TransmissionData gap—No source-backed value verified yetLineartronic CVTSubaru U.S. specification
DrivetrainData gap—No source-backed value verified yetSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup

Fuel & efficiency

Fuel and efficiency details

1 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Ford EscapeB2026 Subaru Forester
AWD / alternate fuel economyDifferent42 / 36 / 39 mpgManufacturer-published U.S. specificationAbout 25 city / 32 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Gas / base fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 26 city / 33 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Hybrid fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yet35 city / 34 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Off-road trim fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yetAbout 24 city / 28 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Driving rangeData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 581 milesSubaru published estimate

Size & footprint

Exterior dimensions

2 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Ford EscapeB2026 Subaru Forester
WheelbaseDifferent106.7 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification105.1 inSubaru U.S. specification
Overall lengthDifferent180.1 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification183.3 inMost trims
Overall heightData gap66.0-66.1 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Overall widthData gap—No source-backed value verified yet72.0 inMost trims
Ground clearanceData gap—No source-backed value verified yet8.7 inMost trims
Off-road ground clearanceData gap—No source-backed value verified yet9.3 inSubaru Wilderness specification

Cabin

Interior space and seating

2 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Ford EscapeB2026 Subaru Forester
Front legroomDifferent42.4 in maxManufacturer-published U.S. specification43.3 inSubaru U.S. specification
Rear legroomDifferent40.7 in maxSliding second row39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification
SeatingData gap—No source-backed value verified yet5Subaru U.S. specification
Front headroomData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 41.2 inEquipment dependent
Passenger volumeData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 110.8 cu ftConfiguration dependent

Cargo

Cargo space and practical measurements

0 of 2 differ
Research fieldA2026 Ford EscapeB2026 Subaru Forester
Cargo behind rear seatData gap—No source-backed value verified yet29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Maximum cargo volumeData gap—No source-backed value verified yet74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration

Utility

Towing, seating and capability

1 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Ford EscapeB2026 Subaru Forester
Maximum towingDifferent3,500 lb2.0L with tow package1,500 lbProperly equipped
All-wheel driveData gap—No source-backed value verified yetSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup
Cargo behind rear seatData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 29.6 cu ftRoomiest published configuration
Maximum cargoData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 74.4 cu ftRoomiest published configuration

Safety

Published safety ratings

0 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Ford EscapeB2026 Subaru Forester
IIHS small overlap frontData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating
IIHS updated moderate overlap frontData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating
IIHS updated sideData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating
IIHS headlightsData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating

Ownership

Warranty and service planning

1 of 1 differ
Research fieldA2026 Ford EscapeB2026 Subaru Forester
New-vehicle / basic warrantyDifferentVerify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service dateConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileage

Safety systems

Driver-assistance equipment and context

A2026 Ford

Escape

Driver-assistance equipment is kept separate from crash ratings. Check the exact 2026 model on IIHS and NHTSA before relying on a rating or award.

  • Automatic emergency braking / forward-collision features
  • Lane-support features
  • Blind-spot systems where equipped
  • Check trim for available advanced driver assistance
B2026 Subaru

Forester

The 2026 Forester earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and includes EyeSight driver-assistance technology. The hybrid also carries a published NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from Subaru’s U.S. materials.

  • EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
  • Automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise functions
  • Available blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert
  • DriverFocus available on upper trims

Cabin technology

Infotainment, connectivity and convenience

A2026 Ford

Escape

  • Infotainment and phone integration vary by trim.
  • Camera, parking and premium-audio features vary by equipment.
  • Connected-services availability and trial periods can change.
B2026 Subaru

Forester

  • An 11.6-inch STARLINK Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available on higher trims.
  • DriverFocus distraction mitigation is included on selected upper trims.
  • Power rear gate and panoramic moonroof availability depend on trim and package.
  • Hybrid models integrate Subaru’s electrified power display and energy-management information.

Evidence ledger

Source links and research freshness

Buying context

What to check before choosing a trim

A2026 Ford

Escape

  1. Hybrid/PHEV cargo is lower than EcoBoost cargo.
  2. Towing varies substantially by powertrain and equipment.
  3. Check state availability before ordering remaining 2026 inventory.
Research caveat

Use the exact trim, drivetrain, roof equipment and powertrain when a number is configuration-sensitive. Cargo volume does not prove that a rigid item fits through the hatch; measure the exact vehicle for close-fit use cases.

Updated 2026-09-232 research sources
B2026 Subaru

Forester

  1. Forester is unusually easy to shortlist for tall drivers because Subaru publishes 43.3 inches of front legroom and up to 41.2 inches of headroom.
  2. The hybrid materially improves city fuel economy while keeping standard AWD, but its pricing and packaging differ from the gas lineup.
  3. Wilderness trades some fuel economy for extra ground clearance and a substantially higher published tow rating.
  4. Moonroof and equipment packaging can reduce published cargo volume, so compare the exact trim instead of relying on the maximum 74.4-cu-ft figure.
Research caveat

SUVLook does not carry the separate 2025 third-party linear cargo measurements forward as guaranteed 2026 dimensions. This profile uses 2026 data only where the existing research supports it.

Updated 2026-09-163 research sources

Keep comparing

Similar matchups

The closest researched rivals to each SUV by size and price.

Editorial view of a 2026 Ford EscapeAI-generated editorial exterior illustration of Toyota RAV4 with all doors and liftgate closedVSFord Escape vs Toyota RAV42026 · 2026 model yearsEditorial view of a 2026 Ford EscapeAI-generated editorial exterior illustration of Nissan Rogue with all doors and liftgate closedVSFord Escape vs Nissan Rogue2026 · 2026 model yearsEditorial view of a 2026 Ford EscapeAI-generated editorial exterior illustration of Chevrolet Equinox with all doors and liftgate closedVSFord Escape vs Chevrolet Equinox2026 · 2026 model yearsAI-generated editorial exterior illustration of Subaru Forester with all doors and liftgate closedAI-generated editorial exterior illustration of Chevrolet Equinox with all doors and liftgate closedVSSubaru Forester vs Chevrolet Equinox2026 · 2026 model yearsAI-generated editorial exterior illustration of Subaru Forester with all doors and liftgate closedAI-generated editorial exterior illustration of Nissan Rogue with all doors and liftgate closedVSSubaru Forester vs Nissan Rogue2026 · 2026 model yearsAI-generated editorial exterior illustration of Subaru Forester with all doors and liftgate closed2026 Kia Sportage editorial vehicle imageVSSubaru Forester vs Kia Sportage2026 · 2026 model years

Popular comparisons

Well-known rivalries with full side-by-side research, each built from the cited sources in both SUVs' profiles.