Compare the2026 Ford EscapeVS 2025 Nissan Kicks Play

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 Nissan Kicks Play doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Escape are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 Play 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 Play 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.

The Escape offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Ford Escape has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

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 Kicks Play 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 standard 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Escape and the Kicks Play have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Ford Escape weighs 522 to 858 pounds more than the Nissan Kicks Play. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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 Play:

	Escape	Kicks Play
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	143	191
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	32%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	374 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	27 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	343/312 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	102	326
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36.3%	79%
Neck Stress	181 lbs.	392 lbs.
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	138 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	370/209 lbs.

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

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 Play:

	Escape	Kicks Play
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	240 lbs.	347 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	318
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	47 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	12 inches
Hip Force	462 lbs.	535 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 Play 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 14 points higher than the Kicks Play.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escape first among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Kicks Play 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 58 more horsepower (180 vs. 122) and 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (199 vs. 114) than the Kicks Play’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 128 more horsepower (250 vs. 122) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 114) than the Kicks Play’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

	Escape turbo 3 cyl.	Escape turbo 4 cyl.	Kicks Play
Zero to 60 MPH	8.4 sec	6.6 sec	10.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	15.1 sec	18 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84.5 MPH	91.2 MPH	77.5 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 Play doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Escape’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. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Escape FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks Play (14.8 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escape AWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks Play (15.7 vs. 10.8 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 Kicks Play 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 Kicks Play:

	Escape	Kicks Play
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors		11 inches

The Ford Escape has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Kicks Play. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Escape stops much shorter than the Kicks Play:

	Escape	Kicks Play
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	190 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape has larger tires than the Kicks Play (225/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

The Escape Elite/Platinum’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kicks Play’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Kicks Play. The Escape Elite/Platinum has standard 19-inch wheels.

The Ford Escape’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Nissan Kicks Play only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

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 Nissan Kicks Play has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Escape has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Kicks Play’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the Kicks Play (106.7 inches vs. 103.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escape is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Kicks Play.

The Escape’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58% to 42%) than the Kicks Play’s (60.7% to 39.3%). This gives the Escape more stable handling and braking.

The Escape AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Kicks Play pulls only .83 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 1.9 seconds quicker than the Kicks Play (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29.2 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Escape has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Kicks Play (7.3 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Escape to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 Play doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Escape has 11.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks Play (104 vs. 92.6).

The Escape has 4.3 inches more front hip room, 4.6 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 7.2 inches more rear legroom, 4.2 inches more rear hip room and 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks Play.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks Play with its rear seat up (37.5 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks Play with its rear seat folded (65.4 vs. 32.3 cubic feet).

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

	Escape	Kicks Play
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.8”/68.5”	35.4”/64”
Max Width	57.3”	49.7”
Min Width	41.4”	38.3”
Height	34.8”	31.6”

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Escape. The Kicks Play 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 Play doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Escape has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks Play 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 Play doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Escape offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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

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 Kicks Play’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Play doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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 Kicks Play’s 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 Kicks Play’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Escape has standard extendable sun visors. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Escape’s optional outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Escape offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Kicks Play.

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 Kicks Play doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Escape has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

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 Play doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Escape’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Escape offers optional rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Escape offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is available on the Escape. The Escape’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a navigation system.

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 Play doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to the Nissan Kicks Play’s traditional radio, the Ford Escape equipped with 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Escape offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Escape and the Nissan Kicks Play, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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

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