Ford Escape MPG by Year
Here's the official EPA Ford Escape MPG for every engine and drivetrain from 2001 to 2026.
Escape MPG by Year and Version
The EPA has rated 152 configurations of the Escape across gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Pick a year to compare engines and drivetrains.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape FWD PHEVPlug-in hybrid, gas mode | 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (CVT) | FWD | 42 | 37 | 40 | View |
| Escape AWD HEVHybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (CVT) | Part-time 4WD | 42 | 36 | 39 | View |
| Escape FWD | 1.5L 3-cyl | Auto 8-spd | FWD | 27 | 34 | 30 | View |
| Escape AWD | 1.5L 3-cyl | Auto 8-spd | AWD | 26 | 32 | 28 | View |
| Escape AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto 8-spd | AWD | 23 | 31 | 26 | View |
Plug-in hybrid rows show the gas-only rating.
Escape MPG Over the Years
Each bar shows the range of combined MPG across every Escape configuration the EPA rated that year, from the thirstiest version to the most efficient. Hover or tap a year to see the numbers.
Years When Escape Fuel Economy Changed
The Escape's ratings stay flat for long stretches. These are the model years where something changed enough to matter when you're comparing used ones.
- 2005: The first hybrid Escape shows up in the EPA data. Its 29 MPG combined rating tops the previous year's best of 22 MPG.
- 2020: A plug-in hybrid version arrives. Its 41 MPG combined rating on gas alone tops the previous year's best of 26 MPG.
How the Escape Compares
The EPA rated 69 small SUVs for 2026. The best Escape version, at 39 MPG combined, ranks 6th of 69. Combined ratings in the class run from 20 to 53 MPG, with a median of 27. Plug-in hybrids and electric models are ranked separately.
| Rank | Model | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kia Niro | 53 MPG |
| 2 | Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 42 MPG |
| 3 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 42 MPG |
| 5 | Lexus NX | 40 MPG |
| 6 | Ford Escape | 39 MPG |
What Does a Escape Cost to Fuel?
Pick a Escape, then enter your gas price and how much you drive. The math uses the EPA city and highway ratings, weighted by how much of your driving happens in each.
Escape MPG Questions
Which Escape year gets the best gas mileage?
The 2020 to 2022 Escape FWD HEV holds the top EPA rating at 41 MPG combined (44 city, 37 highway). Among 2026 models, the Escape FWD PHEV is rated at 40 MPG combined.
What's the best gas mileage from a non-hybrid Escape?
The 2023 to 2026 Escape FWD with the 1.5L 3-cylinder and front-wheel drive is rated at 30 MPG combined (27 city, 34 highway).
Is there still a gas-only Escape?
Yes. The 2026 Escape lineup includes 3 gas-only versions, rated 26 to 30 MPG combined.
Does all-wheel drive hurt Escape fuel economy?
A little. On the 2026 Escape, the best front-wheel drive version is rated at 30 MPG combined and the best all-wheel drive version at 28 MPG.
Why doesn't my Escape match the EPA numbers?
EPA ratings come from standardized lab tests. Your results depend on speed, climate, idling, passengers and cargo, roof racks, tire pressure and upkeep. The ratings are best for comparing one vehicle against another. To track your own numbers, try the MPG calculator.
Keep Going
Where These Numbers Come From
Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset on fueleconomy.gov, pulled together by Cedrick Reese. The file lists 152 ratings for the Ford Escape from 2001 to 2026. Each row in the table links to the matching EPA vehicle record, so you can check any figure against the source. Ratings from before 2008 use the EPA's revised estimates, which put older vehicles on the same scale as newer ones. Plug-in hybrid figures in the table are the gas-only ratings, since those are the ones you can compare with a regular car. The page is rebuilt whenever the EPA publishes an updated file, which picks up new model years and any rating corrections. The cost calculator uses the gas price you enter rather than a national average, so the result fits where you live.
Ratings on this page come from the EPA file downloaded on October 1, 2026.
Sources
- Download Fuel Economy Data, fueleconomy.gov, U.S. DOE and EPA
- Vehicle data field definitions, including the revised 1984-2007 estimates, fueleconomy.gov
- Factors that affect fuel economy, fueleconomy.gov