Compare the2026 Ford EscapeVS 2026 Kia Seltos

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Seltos doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Ford Escape has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer knee airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Escape achieved a higher rating for its forward collision warning and automatic braking systems than the Kia Seltos which was rated “Poor” in these critical safety features.

The Escape 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 Seltos 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Escape Select/Elite/Platinum offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Escape Select/Elite/Platinum offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Seltos only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Escape has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Seltos S/EX/SX offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Escape has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Seltos S/EX/SX offers Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning.

Both the Escape and the Seltos have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Escape is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	Escape	Seltos
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	242 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	52 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	371/423 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	308
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36.3%	38.4%
Neck Stress	181 lbs.	239 lbs.
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	135 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	387/46 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Escape is safer than the Seltos:

	Escape	Seltos
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	67/90 pounds	495/270 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Forces L/R	67/90 pounds	495/270 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Escape is safer than the Kia Seltos:

	Escape	Seltos
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	240 lbs.	346 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	177
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	63 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	12 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	620 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Escape’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Seltos runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape’s warranty.

Reliability

The Escape 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 Seltos doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Escape’s reliability 24 points higher than the Seltos.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escape first among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Seltos isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (180 vs. 147) and 67 lbs.-ft. more torque (199 vs. 132) than the Seltos’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Escape’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (199 vs. 195) than the Seltos SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder. The Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 60 more horsepower (250 vs. 190) and 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 195) than the Seltos SX’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Ford Escape turbo 3 cyl. is faster than the Kia Seltos 4 cyl.:

	Escape	Seltos
Zero to 30 MPH	3.3 sec	3.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.9 sec	9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.2 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.9 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	84 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Escape 2.0 is faster than the Seltos SX 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Escape	Seltos
Zero to 60 MPH	6.6 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.2 MPH	88.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escape gets better mileage than the Seltos:

			MPG
Escape
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/32 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy
Seltos
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/27 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escape 1.5 Turbo’s fuel efficiency. The Seltos doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regardless of its engine, the Escape’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Kia only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Seltos 2.0.

The Escape FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Seltos (14.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escape AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Seltos (15.7 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The Escape has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Seltos doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Escape’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Seltos:

	Escape	Seltos	Seltos AWD
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	11 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.3 inches	11.2 inches

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Escape has a standard Emergency Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Seltos doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Escape stops shorter than the Seltos:

	Escape	Seltos
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape has larger tires than the Seltos (225/65R17 vs. 215/55R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape Elite/Platinum has standard 19-inch wheels. The Seltos’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Escape has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Seltos 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Escape has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Escape flat and controlled during cornering. The Seltos 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the Seltos (106.7 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

The Escape AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Seltos SX pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Escape ST-Line Elite AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Seltos S (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.8 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Escape uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Seltos doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Escape has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Seltos (104 vs. 99).

The Escape has 1 inch more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more rear legroom, 4.5 inches more rear hip room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Seltos.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Seltos with its rear seat up (37.5 vs. 26.6 cubic feet). The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Seltos with its rear seat folded (65.4 vs. 62.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Escape easier. The Escape’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.1 inches, while the Seltos’ liftover is 29.4 inches.

The Escape’s cargo area is larger than the Seltos’ in almost every dimension:

	Escape	Seltos
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.8”/68.5”	32.7”/62.4”
Max Width	57.3”	52.3”
Min Width	41.4”	41.6”
Height	34.8”	32.5”

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Escape. The Seltos doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Escape has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Seltos has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Seltos doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Escape, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Seltos doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Escape’s optional Easy Entry and Exit glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Seltos doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Escape Elite/Platinum offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Seltos doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Escape’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Seltos has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Escape Select/Elite/Platinum’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Seltos S/EX/SX’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Seltos doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape has standard Intelligent Access that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Seltos S/EX/SX offers a Smart Key.

The Escape’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Seltos’ manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Escape Elite/Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

The Escape’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Seltos’ standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

On extremely cold winter days, the Escape’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Seltos doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Escape’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Seltos doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Compared to traditional radio, the Ford Escape’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Seltos S/EX/SX.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Escape and the Kia Seltos, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the Kia Seltos by over two to one during 2024.

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