2025 Hyundai SANTA FE vs. 2025 Ford Escape

Image provided by Hyundai

As far as automobile comparisons, the 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE and Ford Escape stand out in the popular SUV market, catering to different needs and budgets. Our team at Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth explores the Hyundai SANTA FE vs. Ford Escape specs to help you decide which one is right for your daily commute and weekend adventures.

Pricing Comparison

The Ford Escape starts at an affordable $29,150, making it accessible for many first-time SUV buyers. The Hyundai SANTA FE has a starting MSRP of $34,300, placing it in a more premium bracket that targets a slightly different buyer. The SANTA FE Hybrid starts at $37,800 while the Escape plug-in hybrid has a starting MSRP of $37,400. Although the SANTA FE costs more upfront, it offers additional features, space, and capability that may justify the higher price for some. Your choice will depend on your budget and preferences.

Engine and Performance

The SANTA FE has a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that produces 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The Ford Escape starts with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbo three-cylinder engine that generates 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims feature a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that generates 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. These engines are coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The SANTA FE Hybrid combines a 1.6-liter turbo with electric power that produces a combined 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Escape plug-in hybrid uses a larger 2.5-liter engine that delivers 210 horsepower. The SANTA FE Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds while the Escape needs 8.7 seconds for the same distance. The SANTA FE offers a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds compared to the Escape’s 1,500 pounds.

Design and Exterior Features

The SANTA FE is 190.2 inches long, 74.8 inches wide, and 67.7 inches tall, with a 110.8-inch wheelbase. It’s noticeably bigger than the Escape, which measures 180.1 inches long, 74.1 inches wide, and 66.0 inches tall with a 106.7-inch wheelbase. The SANTA FE’s longer wheelbase provides better cornering stability and a smoother ride. While the Escape is more suitable for your daily commute, the SANTA FE projects a more premium, capable vibe that matches its larger footprint and higher price tag.

Interior and Comfort

The SANTA FE provides 151 cubic feet of passenger space, significantly exceeding the Escape’s 102.2 cubic feet. Depending on the configuration, the SANTA FE comfortably accommodates six to seven passengers, while the Escape fits a maximum of five. The SANTA FE provides 44.4 and 42.3 inches of front and rear legroom versus the Escape’s 42.4 and 40.7 inches. The SANTA FE provides 41.1 and 40.6 inches of maximum front and rear headroom compared to the Escape’s 40 and 39.3 inches.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The SANTA FE offers several standard safety and driver-assistance features, including blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward and reverse parking distance warning, rear occupant alert, lane-keep assist, driver attention warning, and forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection. Higher trims provide additional features such as navigation-based smart cruise control with stop and go and curve control. Other standard features include airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable belts, antilock brakes, traction control, stability systems, automatic emergency braking, and daytime running lights.

The 2025 Ford Escape’s standard safety features include the SOS Post-Crash Alert System, various airbags, the Safety Canopy system, a tire pressure monitoring system, a blind-spot information system with rear cross-traffic braking, and pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and dynamic brake support. The SANTA FE has earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2024 with good scores in side crash tests. The Escape was mostly awarded marginal scores in these areas and an acceptable score for structure.

Reliability and Warranty

The SANTA FE offers a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection. Hyundai also includes a seven-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty and five-year/unlimited-mile 24/7 roadside assistance. The Ford Escape has a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

Cargo Capacity and Storage

The Ford Escape provides 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back row compared to the SANTA FE’s rather tight 14.6 cubic feet. With the seats folded, the SANTA FE offers a cavernous 79.6 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, dwarfing the Escape’s 65.4 cubic feet. This enhances the SANTA FE’s versatility, allowing you to comfortably transport larger items for home projects or weekend getaways.

Technology and Connectivity

The SANTA FE has a 12.3-inch touch screen while the Escape features an 8-inch LCD capacitive display with the SYNC 4 system, and an optional 13.2-inch touch screen in higher trims. The Ford Escape also features FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot. Both offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, HD Radio, and SiriusXM. The SANTA FE also features Hyundai Digital Key 2, which allows you to use your smartphone instead of the key fob, as well as Bluelink+ as standard, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system in higher models.

Discover the Hyundai SANTA FE at Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth

The 2025 SANTA FE offers more options than the Ford Escape. Although the Escape costs less upfront and offers more cargo room with all seats up, the Hyundai is more suitable if you have a large family or regularly go on outdoor adventures. If you’re in Fort Worth, Texas, we invite you to visit us to experience this exceptional SUV firsthand. Our team will help you explore your financing options and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to schedule a test-drive to determine whether the 2025 Hyundai SANTA FE is right for you.