Compare repair costs, reliability, and owner reviews
Ford Escape
$600
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Kia Sportage
$462
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Overall Reliability Rating
4
Above Average
The Ford Escape Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 16th out of 26 for compact SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $600 which means it has average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average, and major issues are less frequent than average, so major repairs are not common for the Escape.
4
Excellent
The Kia Sportage Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 6th out of 26 for compact SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $462 which means it has excellent ownership costs. The severity and frequency of repairs are lower than other vehicles, so the Sportage is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road.
The Ford Escape ranks highest in safety and ranks lowest in value.
“Best vehicle I ever owned. Road noise is an issue, later models adjusted for that. Only issues were idle control valve (needed replacement, used to be listed as a common problem on this site);...”
“Best vehicle I ever owned. Road noise is an issue, later models adjusted for that. Only issues...”
The Kia Sportage and the Ford Escape are two compact two-row SUVs. Both of these vehicles come with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
Power ratings on their standard and optional engines are competitive. Comparing standard engines, the Kia Sportage has 181 horsepower, while the Ford Escape has 168 horsepower. If you’d like a power upgrade, the Sportage’s optional engine puts out 240 horsepower, while the Escape’s top engine has 245 horsepower.
The Kia Sportage and the Ford Escape are also pretty close in their cargo capacities. The Sportage supplies 60.1 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded down. The Escape has a total of 66.4 cubic feet of space behind the front seats, which is 10% more capacity than the Sportage.
These two compact SUVs are close enough to justify an up-close look and a test drive in each. Your choice here boils down to a matter of personal preference, so check them both out, and then decide.