The SUV lineup at your Ford dealership has incredible options of all sizes. From the rugged Bronco to the powerful full-sized Expedition, these SUVs come in a huge range of features, power, and performance. Two of the most popular are the Escape and the Explorer. Compare the compact 2025 Escape with the midsize 2025 Explorer to find the ideal match.
2025 Ford Escape vs 2025 Ford Explorer: Find the Right-Size SUV at Your Local Ford Dealership
Performance and Utility
Each of these 2025 Ford SUVs offers two engine options. The Escape features a base 180-horsepower turbo-three or an optional 250-hp turbo-four, both with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Explorer comes with a 300-hp turbo-four or a twin-turbo V6 that gets 400 hp. Both have a 10-speed automatic transmission and your choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.
You can tow up to 2,000 pounds with the Escape and 5,000 with the Explorer. The latter SUV comes with a standard trailer hitch receiver. The Escape provides up to 34 highway miles per gallon, compared to a max of 27 highway mpg for the larger Explorer.
Interior Space
The two-row Escape seats five passengers, while the three-row Explorer accommodates either six or seven depending on the trim. The smaller model gives you class-leading cargo space for a compact SUV, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and more than 65 cubic feet behind the first row.
The Explorer has more than 18 cubic feet in the rear. This space expands to about 48 cubic feet when you fold the third row and almost 88 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. Both models come with keyless entry and automatic climate control (dual-zone for the Escape and tri-zone for the Explorer).
Driver Assistance Systems
Both Fords have a full suite of driver assistance tech. These models come with standard forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Explorer adds stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist to the base model. These are optional features for the Escape. You can upgrade either SUV with evasive steering assist and a surround-view camera system.
Infotainment Tech
The Escape features an 8-inch driver info display and an 8-inch infotainment screen, while the Explorer has a standard 12.3-inch digital gauge and 13.2-inch touchscreen. Both models come with the wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio.
You’ll have two standard USB ports in the Escape and eight in the Explorer. Higher trims of the Escape add the larger screens, and you can get either SUV with a wireless charging pad. Upgrade to a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen system in the smaller SUV and either a 12-speaker or 16-speaker version in the Explorer.
Test drive each of these SUVs today to make your final decision. Contact Auffenberg Ford, Inc. in Belleville, IL to schedule an appointment now.
Connect with us
