Ford Escape vs Kia Sportage
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Ford Escape: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 1 other.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
Both the Ford Escape and Kia Sportage hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 92% for the Ford Escape and 87% for the Kia Sportage.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Ford Escape, against 5 on the Kia Sportage.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Ford Escape and 7 in the Kia Sportage.
Feature Showdown
The Ford Escape features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12-inch digital dash, while the Kia Sportage gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Ford Escape stands out with wireless charging and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Sportage. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Ford Escape uses a 2.0L EcoBoost producing 183kW and 387Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed auto to a AWD layout.
The Kia Sportage responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 192Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The Ford Escape has the clear power advantage at 183kW vs 115kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Ford Escape measures 4,626mm long on a 2,710mm wheelbase, 59mm shorter than the Kia Sportage at 4,685mm (2,755mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 556L in the Ford Escape and 543L in the Kia Sportage, giving the Ford Escape a 13L advantage.
For towing, the Ford Escape leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. That 150kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m diameter
Average
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.0 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,451/year for the Ford Escape and $2,309/year for the Kia Sportage. That is a $142 annual difference in favour of the Kia Sportage.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Ford Escape) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sportage). The Kia Sportage has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Escape if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Ford Escape takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Kia Sportage will save you roughly $142 a year in fuel. The Kia Sportage adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Ford Escape and Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage is the cheapest at $38,490 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Sportage uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Ford Escape and Kia Sportage all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Ford Escape has the largest boot at 556L.
Which can tow the most?
The Ford Escape has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Sportage has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Ford Escape makes the most power at 183kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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