Compare the2025 Ford EscapeVS 2025 Nissan Kicks

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Escape achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Kicks has not been tested.

The Escape has standard Post-Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kicks doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Escape and Kicks have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Escape has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Kicks’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Escape and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape’s warranty.

Reliability

The Escape has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Kicks doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

Engine

The Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (180 vs. 141) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (199 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 109 more horsepower (250 vs. 141) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Escape is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Escape turbo 3 cyl.	Escape turbo 4 cyl.	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	8.4 sec	6.6 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	15.1 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84.5 MPH	91.2 MPH	79.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escape 1.5 Turbo’s fuel efficiency. The Kicks doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Escape FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (14.8 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escape AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.7 vs. 12.4 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Escape’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

	Escape	Kicks
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	11 inches

The Escape stops much shorter than the Kicks:

	Escape	Kicks
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape has larger tires than the Kicks (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Escape has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kicks 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the Kicks (106.7 inches vs. 104.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escape is 1 inch wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kicks.

The Escape’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58% to 42%) than the Kicks’ (61% to 39%). This gives the Escape more stable handling and braking.

The Escape AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Kicks SR AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Escape ST-Line Elite AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Kicks SR AWD (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Escape uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Kicks doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Escape ST-Line Elite AWD is quieter than the Kicks SR AWD (71 vs. 73 dB).

Passenger Space

The Escape has 8.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (104 vs. 95.7).

The Escape has .3 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 6.2 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Escape’s rear seats recline. The Kicks’ rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks with its rear seat up (37.5 vs. 30 cubic feet). The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (65.4 vs. 60 cubic feet).

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Escape. The Kicks doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Escape offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Kicks doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Escape, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kicks doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Escape’s optional Easy Entry and Exit glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kicks doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Escape Elite/Platinum offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Kicks doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the Escape and the Kicks have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Escape is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Kicks prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Kicks doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Kicks only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push Button Start is not available on the Kicks SV/SR.

The Escape’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Escape and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Escape offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kicks doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Nissan Kicks, the Ford Escape Elite/Platinum eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the driver’s visor.

The Escape Elite/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Kicks doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Escape, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the Nissan Kicks by almost two to one during 2024.

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