Ford Escape MPG by year — every rating on record

The Ford Escape has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 26 model years, from 2001 to 2026. Across those years its best rated version returned 41 mpg (2020) and its thirstiest returned 17 mpg (2005). The EPA record holds 123 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD / Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Ford Escape placed highest in 2005 at #2 of 59, and lowest in 2024 at #45 of 77. It spent 24 of its 26 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 123 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 6 of 10 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Escape fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2026 Ford Escape burns 288 to 442 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2026 model year is $1,550 to $2,400 a year in fuel, or $6,000 less than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

Across the 152 nameplates EPA classifies as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, the median best combined rating is 29 mpg. At 40 mpg the Ford Escape is 11 mpg better the median, which is worth about $382 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Ford nameplates

Every Ford model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.