Compare the2026 Ford EscapeVS 2026 Nissan Kicks

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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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 “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Kicks has not been tested.

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 Kicks 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 and Kicks have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Escape has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Kicks’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Escape and the Kicks 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 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 Nissan Kicks:

	Escape	Kicks
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	143	476
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	43.8%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	476 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	76 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	102	338
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36.3%	67.5%
Neck Stress	181 lbs.	253 lbs.
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	76 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	234/256 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 much safer than the Kicks:

	Escape	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	122	307
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	382/292 pounds	405/562 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	POOR

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 Nissan Kicks:

	Escape	Kicks
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	240 lbs.	371 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	206
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	56 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	797 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Nissan 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 Kicks 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 23 points higher than the Kicks.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Nissan With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Nissan.

Engine

The Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (180 vs. 141) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (199 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 109 more horsepower (250 vs. 141) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Escape is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Escape turbo 3 cyl.	Escape turbo 4 cyl.	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	8.4 sec	6.6 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	15.1 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84.5 MPH	91.2 MPH	79.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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 Kicks doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Escape FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (14.8 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escape AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.7 vs. 12.4 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Escape	Kicks
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	11 inches

The Escape stops much shorter than the Kicks:

	Escape	Kicks
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape has larger tires than the Kicks (225/65R17 vs. 215/65R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

The Escape offers an optional 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 Kicks; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 Kicks 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the Kicks (106.7 inches vs. 104.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escape is 1 inch wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kicks.

The Escape’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58% to 42%) than the Kicks’ (61% to 39%). This gives the Escape more stable handling and braking.

The Escape AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Kicks SR AWD 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 quicker than the Kicks SR (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 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 Kicks doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Escape ST-Line Elite AWD is quieter than the Kicks SR AWD (71 vs. 73 dB).

Passenger Space

The Escape has 8.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (104 vs. 95.7).

The Escape has .3 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 6.2 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Escape’s rear seats recline. The Kicks’ rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks with its rear seat up (37.5 vs. 30 cubic feet). The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (65.4 vs. 60 cubic feet).

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

	Escape	Kicks
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.8”/68.5”	32.4”/63.9”
Max Width	57.3”	49.5”
Min Width	41.4”	40.3”
Height	34.8”	31.8”

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

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Escape offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Escape has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks 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 Kicks 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 Kicks 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 Kicks 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 Kicks doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Kicks doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape’s standard Intelligent Access allow 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. Push Button Start standard on the Kicks only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push Button Start is not available on the Kicks SV/SR.

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 Kicks’ intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Kicks doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Escape and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Escape offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kicks SV/SR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

With standard voice command, the Escape offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Escape, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Kicks isn't recommended.

The Ford Escape outsold the Nissan Kicks by almost two to one during 2024.

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