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 Forester 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 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the Forester’s blind spot costs extra.
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. Subaru charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Forester and its not available on the Base and the Forester’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.
Both the Escape and the Forester have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, rearview cameras, 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 Subaru Forester:
|
|
Escape |
Forester |
|
|
Driver |
|
| STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
| HIC |
143 |
198 |
| Neck Injury Risk |
22.5% |
24.4% |
| Neck Stress |
185 lbs. |
263 lbs. |
| Neck Compression |
23 lbs. |
39 lbs. |
| Leg Forces (l/r) |
188/315 lbs. |
276/274 lbs. |
|
|
Passenger |
|
| STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
| HIC |
102 |
211 |
| Chest Compression |
.5 inches |
.6 inches |
| Neck Stress |
181 lbs. |
242 lbs. |
| Leg Forces (l/r) |
220/169 lbs. |
236/225 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 Forester:
|
|
Escape |
Forester |
| 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 |
225/180 pounds |
| Leg/foot Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Thigh Forces L/R |
67/90 pounds |
225/180 pounds |
| Restraints |
GOOD |
GOOD |
|
|
Rear Passenger Injury Measures |
|
| Head/Neck Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
| Chest Rating |
GOOD |
MARGINAL |
| Thigh Rating |
GOOD |
GOOD |
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 Subaru Forester:
|
|
Escape |
Forester |
|
|
Front Seat |
|
| STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
| Hip Force |
240 lbs. |
349 lbs. |
|
|
Rear Seat |
|
| STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
| HIC |
97 |
208 |
| Spine Acceleration |
43 G’s |
58 G’s |
|
|
Into Pole |
|
| STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
| Max Damage Depth |
11 inches |
14 inches |
| Spine Acceleration |
32 G’s |
34 G’s |
| Hip Force |
462 lbs. |
589 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

