Compare the2026 Ford Escape FHEVVS 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape FHEV 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Escape FHEV 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee has not been tested.

The Escape FHEV 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 Grand Cherokee 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Escape FHEV. But it costs extra on the Grand Cherokee.

Both the Escape FHEV and Grand Cherokee have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Escape FHEV has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Grand Cherokee’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Escape FHEV and the Grand Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available 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 FHEV is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee:

	Escape FHEV	Grand Cherokee
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	84 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	482/259 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	102	137
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	400/347 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 FHEV is much safer than the Grand Cherokee:

	Escape FHEV	Grand Cherokee
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	122	252
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	67/90 pounds	180/360 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	67/90 pounds	180/360 pounds
Leg Forces L/R	382/292 pounds	495/607 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

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 FHEV is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee:

	Escape FHEV	Grand Cherokee
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	191 lbs.	192 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	164
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	14 inches
HIC	344	458
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	528 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are over 18 percent more Ford dealers than there are Jeep dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Escape FHEV’s warranty.

Reliability

The Escape FHEV 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 Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escape FHEV first among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Grand Cherokee 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 Jeep With 67 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Jeep.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 6 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escape FHEV gets better mileage than the Grand Cherokee running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
Escape FHEV
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/36 hwy
Grand Cherokee
	RWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Escape FHEV uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Grand Cherokee 4xe requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Escape FHEV has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Grand Cherokee. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Escape FHEV higher (7 out of 10) than the Jeep Grand Cherokee (6). This means the Escape FHEV produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Grand Cherokee every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Escape FHEV has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Escape FHEV stops much shorter than the Grand Cherokee:

	Escape FHEV	Grand Cherokee
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	142 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Escape FHEV’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grand Cherokee Laredo’s standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape FHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Grand Cherokee Laredo.

Suspension and Handling

The Escape FHEV ST-Line Elite handles at .80 G’s, while the Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 pulls only .60 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Escape FHEV’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Grand Cherokee’s (37.2 feet vs. 38 feet).

Chassis

The Ford Escape FHEV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 1850 pounds less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The Escape FHEV is 1 foot, 1.4 inches shorter than the Grand Cherokee, making the Escape FHEV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Escape FHEV has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear legroom than the Grand Cherokee.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Escape FHEV easier. The Escape FHEV’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the Grand Cherokee’s liftover is 33 inches.

Towing

All models of the Escape FHEV can be flat towed on all four wheels, allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escape FHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. Only the Grand Cherokee 4WD can be dinghy towed and it requires equipment that is not standard.

Ergonomics

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape FHEV’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost Uconnect Access can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Compared to traditional radio, the Ford Escape FHEV’s 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. Satellite radio costs extra on the Grand Cherokee.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Ford Escape FHEV retains 49.84% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 47.26% resale value of the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee after five years, which can save the Ford’s owner up to $2949.67547 in depreciation.

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