Compare the2023 Ford Escape FHEVVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Escape FHEV has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Escape FHEV and Outlander have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Escape FHEV offers optional Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Escape FHEV and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Escape FHEV’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 9 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape FHEV’s warranty.

The Escape FHEV has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Outlander doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

The Escape FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 19 more horsepower (200 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Ford Escape FHEV is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

On the EPA test cycle the Escape FHEV gets better mileage than the Outlander:

Regenerative brakes improve the Escape FHEV’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Outlander doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Escape FHEV’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Escape FHEV higher (8 out of 10) than the Mitsubishi Outlander (6 to 7). This means the Escape FHEV produces up to 6.6 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Outlander every 15,000 miles.

The Escape FHEV stops shorter than the Outlander:

The Escape FHEV has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Escape FHEV has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Escape FHEV is 5.3 inches shorter than the Outlander, making the Escape FHEV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Escape FHEV has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Escape FHEV has .7 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Outlander.

The Escape FHEV has a much larger cargo volume than the Outlander with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 11.7 cubic feet).

The Escape FHEV can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escape FHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Outlander can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The power windows standard on both the Escape FHEV and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Escape FHEV is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape FHEV’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Outlander doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mitsubishi Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Escape FHEV Elite/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Escape FHEV owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escape FHEV will cost $1525 to $6185 less than the Outlander over a five-year period.

The Escape FHEV will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Escape FHEV will retain 49.07% to 49.62% of its original price after five years, while the Outlander only retains 45.74% to 48.71%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Escape FHEV will be $4297 to $10671 less than for the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Escape FHEV and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over three to one during 2022.