2025 Ford Escape vs 2025 Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y wins clearly, 93.4 to 66.5, on fuel & range, safety.
2025 Ford Escape
The 2025 Ford Escape is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Escape…
2025 Tesla Model Y
The 2025 Tesla Model Y is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model Y Long Range RWD, is…
2025 Tesla Model Y
Clear winThe Tesla Model Y wins clearly, 93.4 to 66.5, on fuel & range, safety.
| Category · weight | 2025 Ford Escapeoverall 66.5 | 2025 Tesla Model Yoverall 93.4 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 34.2 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 73.9 | 85.1 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 66.5 | 93.4 | ||||||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 3 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Tesla Model Y
Ford Escape: base trim Active FWD · Tesla Model Y: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Tesla Model Y wins
- It is rated 125 combined against 40 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 89 against 39).
- It costs $1,100 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($600 against $1,700).
Where the 2025 Ford Escape answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (31 against 109 filed with NHTSA).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
41 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | — |
| Cylinder count | 3 | — |
| Engine displacement | 1,500 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | 1.5-liter EcoBoost I-3 | — |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 180 hp | — |
| Torque | 199 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 27 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 30 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 34 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.81 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | automatic | — |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 7.5 in | — |
| Overall height | 66 in | — |
| Overall length | 180 in | — |
| Overall width | 74.1 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 65.4 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 37.5 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 104 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40 in | — |
| Second-row headroom | 39.3 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.4 in | — |
| Second-row legroom | 40.7 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,505 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,273 lbs | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Variable-Assist Rack-and-Pinion | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Parking brake type | Electric | — |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | — |
| Wheel material | Aluminum | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/65R17 | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 14.8 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | FordPass Connect | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 3 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 57.6 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 56 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
70 features · differences first, then sharedSafety26 differ · 26 listed
| Feature | Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering Assist | opt | — |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Pedestrian Detection | std | — |
| Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Dynamic Brake Support | std | — |
| Driver and Front Row Passenger Dual-Stage Airbags | std | — |
| Evasive Steering Assist | opt | — |
| Front-Seat Mounted Side-Impact Airbags | std | — |
| Lane-Keeping System (includes Lane-Keeping Assist, Lane-Keeping Alert and Driver Alert) | std | — |
| Rear View Camera | std | — |
| Safety Canopy® System – Front and Second Row Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor | std | — |
| Rear Parking Sensor | opt | — |
| 911 Assist® | std | — |
| AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) | std | — |
| Auto High Beam Headlamps | std | — |
| BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking | std | — |
| Curve Control | std | — |
| Driver Knee Airbag | std | — |
| Electronic Traction Control | std | — |
| Four-Wheel Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) | std | — |
| Intersection Assist | opt | — |
| Post-Collision Braking | std | — |
| Rear View Camera – Digital | opt | — |
| Road Departure Warning | std | — |
| Rollover Sensor (Safety Canopy® System) | std | — |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | std | — |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) | std | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | std | — |
Infotainment12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Remotely start vehicle via FordPass Connect™ | std | — |
| Connected Navigation (1-year included), Pinch-to-Zoom Capability, Live Traffic, Predictive Destinations and Route Guidance | opt | — |
| FordPass Connect™ – 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot connects up to 10 devices | std | — |
| Remotely lock and unlock vehicle via FordPass Connect™ | std | — |
| Locate parked vehicle via FordPass Connect™ | std | — |
| B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen®, 10 Speakers including Subwoofer | opt | — |
| HD Radio™ | opt | — |
| SiriusXM® with 360L | std | — |
| Steering Wheel Mounted Controls | std | — |
| SYNC® 4 – 8" LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with Swipe Capability, Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Compatibility | std | — |
| SYNC® 4 with Enhanced Voice Recognition – 13.2" LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with Swipe Capability | opt | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | opt | — |
Convenience4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start | std | — |
| Remote Start System | opt | — |
| Power Liftgate | opt | — |
| Liftgate – Manual | std | — |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Weather Package (Heated Front Row Seats, Mirrors Sideview Heated, Remote Start System, Steering Wheel Heated) | opt | — |
| Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (DEATC) with Refresh95 (Cabin Particulate Air Filter) | std | — |
Seating6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Way Power Driver Seat (Fore/Aft, Up/Down, Tilt, Power Lumbar and Power Recline) | opt | — |
| Heated Front Row Seats | opt | — |
| Memory Package: Driver's Seat and Driver/Front Passenger Sideview Mirrors | opt | — |
| 6-Way Manual Driver Seat (Fore/Aft, Up/Down and Manual Recline) | std | — |
| 6-Way Power Passenger (Fore/Aft, Up/Down, Recline) | opt | — |
| ActiveX® Trimmed Seats with Quilting Design and Mini-Perforation | opt | — |
Interior6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Steering Wheel – Heated | opt | — |
| Day/Night Rearview Mirror – Manually Adjustable | std | — |
| Steering Column – Manual Tilt/Telescoping | std | — |
| Floor Mats – Carpeted Front and Rear | std | — |
| Sliding Sun Visors with Vanity Mirrors (Driver and Front Passenger) | std | — |
| Trip Computer | std | — |
Exterior8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Panoramic Vista Roof® (Power Open/Close with Power Shade) | opt | — |
| Configurable Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) | std | — |
| Headlamps – LED Reflector with Signature Lighting | std | — |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | std | — |
| Privacy Glass – Second Row Side and Liftgate | std | — |
| Rear-Window Defroster and Washer | std | — |
| Mini Spare Wheel – Steel (Includes T155/70D17 Spare Tire and Jack) | opt | — |
| Rear Spoiler – Body Color | std | — |
Powertrain4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Escape® AWD (Intelligent All-Wheel Drive) | opt | — |
| Escape® FWD | std | — |
| Auto Start-Stop Technology | std | — |
| Selectable Drive Modes | std | — |
Chassis2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Parking Brake (Includes Auto Hold) | std | — |
| Torque Vectoring Control | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPFord Escape
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 26V091000 · 25,237 vehicles
- critical Engine 25V372000 · 404 vehicles
- critical Electrical System 25V343000 · 6,781 vehicles
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 26V122000 · 47,804 vehicles
- high Seat Belts 25V862000 · 780 vehicles
- high Structure 25V829000 · 108,762 vehicles
Tesla Model Y
Top recalls
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V002000 · 239,382 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V315000 · 14,575 vehicles
- minor Tires 24V935000 · 696,281 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Ford EscapeActive FWD | Tesla Model Y | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | — |
| Price range across trims | — 13 trims | — |
| Powertrains | PHEV, HEV, GAS | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Escape FWD PHEV | Model Y Long Range RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 40 | 125 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,700 | $600 |
| EV range | — | 337 mi |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Ford Escape or the 2025 Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y wins clearly, 93.4 to 66.5, on fuel & range, safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Tesla Model Y scores 93.4 and the 2025 Ford Escape 66.5. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Ford Escape or the 2025 Tesla Model Y?
2025 Ford Escape: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 10 recalls. 2025 Tesla Model Y: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 3 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Ford Escape and the 2025 Tesla Model Y?
Where the 2025 Tesla Model Y wins: it is rated 125 combined against 40 (EPA mpg or MPGe), has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 89 against 39), and costs $1,100 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($600 against $1,700). Where the 2025 Ford Escape answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (31 against 109 filed with NHTSA). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.