Ford Escape vs Toyota Fortuner
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
Price TBC
SUV
Petrol
2.0L EcoBoost
183kW
8.6 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
556L
Toyota Fortuner
From $53,775
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
150kW
7.6 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
200L
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 Toyota Fortuner hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 92% for the Ford Escape and 95% for the Toyota Fortuner.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Ford Escape, against 1 on the Toyota Fortuner.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Ford Escape and 7 in the Toyota Fortuner.
Feature Showdown
The Ford Escape features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Fortuner gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-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 Toyota Fortuner. 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 Toyota Fortuner responds with a Diesel making 150kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The Ford Escape has the clear power advantage at 183kW vs 150kW. 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, 169mm shorter than the Toyota Fortuner at 4,795mm (2,745mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Fortuner generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 556L in the Ford Escape and 200L in the Toyota Fortuner, giving the Ford Escape a 356L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1478L vs 1080L. The Toyota Fortuner seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Toyota Fortuner leads with a 3,100kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 1,300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m diameter
Average
Based on 11.6m 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 10.2 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: careful, tight swing
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 $2,166/year for the Toyota Fortuner. That is a $285 annual difference in favour of the Toyota Fortuner.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Ford Escape) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Fortuner). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Escape if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota Fortuner if: You want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Ford Escape and Toyota Fortuner trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Toyota Fortuner will save you roughly $285 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Ford Escape has a clear edge. 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 Toyota Fortuner?
The Toyota Fortuner is the cheapest at $53,775 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Fortuner uses the least fuel at 7.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Ford Escape and Toyota Fortuner 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 Toyota Fortuner has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,100kg.
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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