Driving a Ford Escape or a Kia Sportage means you’re in for an enjoyable, lively driving experience. While comfortable enough for casual commutes, these SUVs are sprightly and engaging companions that will help add a dose of thrills to your travels.

While the standard engines of these models are comparable, offering at least 180 horsepower, the optional 2.0L EcoBoost® engine of the Escape puts this SUV ahead of the Sportage. This configuration can deliver up to 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.

Unfortunately, there’s only one standard engine with the Sportage.

Beyond potent engines, the Escape and the Sportage make it easy to travel long distances with minimal trips made at the gas station thanks to their impressive MPG ratings. You’ll find the standard EPA-estimated ratings and fuel tanks are nearly identical.

However, the Ford Escape can be outfitted in either a hybrid or plug-in hybrid configuration, something that can’t be said about the Sportage. Choosing either of these options boosts your fuel economy:

• Escape Hybrid: EPA-estimated 42 city/36 highway MPG
• Escape Plug-in Hybrid: EPA-estimated 101 combined MPGe

Drivers looking for the fewest trips to the gas station should turn to the Escape.

From the roof to the wheels, nearly every inch of the Escape and the Sportage can be customized to your liking. For example, both SUVs are offered in a variety of timeless and vibrant hues, and you can select a regular roof or an optional panoramic Vista Roof ® to let the cabin fill with natural light.

The Escape provides five different wheel options, giving you the freedom to select the size, color, and design you love most. Kia Sportage drivers will also have a selection of wheel designs, making it easy to personalize either of these SUVs.

Customizing your SUV goes beyond its appearance. It also means adapting to your ever-changing driving needs. This is easy since both the Escape and the Sportage come standard with selectable drive modes. With the Escape, you can expect to find the popular drive modes historically offered by this brand:

• Eco
• Sport
• Normal
• Slippery
• Deep Snow/Sand

However, with the Kia Sportage only offering three modes—Norma, Eco, and Sport—you’ll have fewer ways to fine-tune how your SUV performs.

Both the Escape and the Sportage have a range of entertainment features that allow you to sync your smartphone with ease. Similarities between these systems include:

• 8-inch touchscreen display
• Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ compatibility
• 6 speakers
• SiriusXM® satellite radio

Sadly for Sportage drivers, this is where the similarities end. The Escape continues to impress with available features like a 10-speaker B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® and a 13.2-inch display screen.

Get from Point A to Point B as safely as possible thanks to the incorporation of driver-assist features. Each crossover boosts your awareness on the road and provides mild-autonomous assistance if necessary. Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and a Lane-Keeping System are standard with both the Escape and the Sportage.

An extra standard feature offered by the Escape is BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System), a feature that uses specially placed sensors to indicate when it detects a vehicle in your blind spot. While this feature is offered by the Sportage, you’ll have to upgrade to a higher trim level before you can access it.