Subaru Forester vs. Ford Escape

The core of any good vehicle lies under its hood. The Forester and Escape offer similar power outputs that keep them at pace with each other. The 2.5L SUBARU BOXER® engine generates 182 horsepower for the Forester, narrowly eking out the 180 standard horsepower in the Escape.

Putting that energy to good use is what sets these models apart. The Forester comes standard with Lineartronic® Continually Variable Transmission, which makes acceleration seamless using constant micro-adjustments. It even has manual modes available for when you want more control. The Escape, on the other hand, uses a traditional automatic transmission.

Thanks to Subaru's unique engineering style, the Forester continues to cement itself as an adventure-ready SUV. It begins with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a Subaru-exclusive drivetrain that takes traditional all-wheel drive to the next level. This system tracks which wheel needs the most energy to give you the traction you need when faced with bumpy dirt roads, mud, and much more.

Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE®) allows the Forester to switch between different performance levels based on detected terrain. By making small adjustments to the engine and transmission, you’ll be better equipped for whatever road conditions you face. While the Escape has its own version of all-wheel drive available, the second feature is only found in the Forester.

When you plan on friends joining you for your adventure, you’ll want to ensure everyone is comfortable. Having enough room to stretch and settle is the foundation of a more relaxed ride, so more is always better. The Forester has more space in every row, measuring 111.6 cubic feet of passenger volume, while the Escape has just 104 cubic feet for riders.

If you have large gear to transport, you can easily fold down the rear seats in each model. When it comes to space for that cargo, the Escape features a standard 65.4 cubic feet of volume to stow your equipment. The Forester stretches significantly further, with a maximum of 74.2 cubic feet for your cargo. When you have many large boxes to move, the Forester has you covered.

A comfortable interior extends beyond its dimensions. Forward-thinking design goes the extra mile to keep you and your passengers satisfied. Each model offers similar available features to make this possible, including heated front seats and 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seats, giving you plenty of options for extended drives.

The Forester has a few more features that are ready to make your rides even more memorable. The available StarTex® water-repellant upholstery is soft and great for camping trips where you take a dip or are caught in the rain. The Forester also offers heated rear seats, something you won’t find in the Escape.

Modern driving is safer than ever, thanks to cutting-edge driver-assistive features. These systems provide improved coverage, keeping you aware of what’s around you. Subaru and Ford both share similar systems to help give you the edge you need, including:

• Pre-Collision Braking
• Lane Departure Warning
• Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering
• High Beam Assist

With so many similarities, any differences become even more vital.

The Subaru Forester has an extra available feature that emphasizes the driver. The available DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System helps you remain focused on the road ahead with alerts that get you back in control.

This revolutionary system detects when your attention is occupied elsewhere, whether to a passenger or something outside the Forester. You’ll then receive a gentle reminder to look ahead and keep driving safe. DriverFocus® is only found in the Forester, making it a smart choice for those concerned about safety.