Ford Escape vs. Kia Niro
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Escape and Kia Niro contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Ford Escape and the Kia Niro.
In comparing the Ford Escape's and the Kia Niro's specifications and ratings, the Ford Escape has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Kia Niro has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Ford Escape's and the Kia Niro's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2024 Ford Escape ranges from $28,542 to $37,394 while a used 2024 Kia Niro is priced between $26,653 to $37,088. For a new model, the Ford Escape's price is between $29,865 and $40,820, with the Kia Niro priced between $28,375 and $37,092.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Ford Escape loses 46.4 percent of its value and the Kia Niro loses 40.4 percent of its value. This means the Kia Niro retains 6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Ford Escape.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Ford Escape is 8.6 out of 10 while the Kia Niro's quality rating is 7.4 out of 10. This results in the Ford Escape being ranked 3 out of 19 Best Small SUVs and the Kia Niro being ranked 4 out of 5 Best Hybrid Subcompact SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Ford Escape is 8.2 out of 10. For the Kia Niro the reliability rating is 5.6 out of 10. This gives the Ford Escape an advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Niro.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Escape’s base engine makes 180 horsepower, and the Kia Niro base engine makes 139 horsepower. The Escape is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 503 miles. The Niro is rated to deliver an average of 49 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 500 miles.This gives the Kia Niro the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Ford Escape the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Escape, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Kia Niro, a hybrid SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front head room and rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Ford Escape has higher safety ratings than the Kia Niro, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.28 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$29,865 - $40,820
Starting MSRP:
$28,000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$27,871
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$23,860 - $30,300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$28,375 - $37,092
Starting MSRP:
$26,940
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$34,243
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$26,940 - $41,400
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$32,735
Price Range:
$28,542 - $37,394
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$33,244
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$29,649 - $36,546
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
14,393
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
391
# Good or Great Deals:
281
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$31,557
Price Range:
$26,653 - $37,088
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$37,402
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
$31,557 - $43,791
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,072
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
430
# Good or Great Deals:
12
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$13,239
Depreciation %:
47.3%
Resale Value $:
$14,761
Residual Value %:
52.7%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
42%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
29.1% - 47.3%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$11,293
Depreciation %:
41.9%
Resale Value $:
$15,647
Residual Value %:
58.1%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
42.1%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
41.3% - 43.4%
Ford Escape Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Kia Niro Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
5.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
8.6 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Escape
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.9 - 13.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
14.2%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Niro
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
8.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.8 - 18.3
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Subcompact SUVs)
1.7 - 3.3
Ford Escape Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 14Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 59Ranking
17 out of / 19Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 19Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 67Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
46 out of / 67Ranking
54 out of / 67Kia Niro Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 30Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
9 out of / 27Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 27Ranking
10 out of / 27Ranking
10 out of / 27Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 27Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 27Ranking
21 out of / 32Ranking
27 out of / 27Ranking
32 out of / 32Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
Ford Escape Trim Levels
Active, Base, Platinum, ST-Line, ST-Line Elite, ST-Line Select
Kia Niro Trim Levels
EX, EX Touring, LX, SX, SX Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.28 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
180 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
199 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
139 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque:
195 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.045 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 34 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
400 / 503 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
53 / 45 / 49
Range (city/hwy):
588 / 500 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
40.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Cargo Space:
37.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
65.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
137.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.4 inches
Cargo Space:
22.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
63.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
127.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3291 lbs
Width:
85.6 inches
Height:
66 inches
Length:
180.1 inches
Wheelbase:
106.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3071 lbs
Width:
71.8 inches
Height:
60.8 inches
Length:
174 inches
Wheelbase:
107.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
225/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Blue
Vapor Blue
Gray
Carbonized Gray
Red
Race Red
Silver
Iconic Silver
White
Oxford White
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Graphite Gray / Steel Gray
Red
Runway Red
Silver
Not available
White
Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal