In the market for an affordable compact SUV that’s big on versatility and value? The 2025 Ford Escape and 2025 Nissan Rogue are popular choices in a vehicle segment crowded with worthy rivals like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Chevrolet Equinox.
What helps to set the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue apart? To learn more, let’s explore some highlights of each.
2025 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape has a starting price of $29,895, including factory-to-dealer destination charges, and is offered in five main trims: Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. The standard powertrain is a turbocharged 3-cylinder that sends 180 horsepower to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional, though it’s standard on trims ordered with the available 250-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The Escape can also be had with efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains.
Ford Escape Highlights
Available turbo 4-cylinder: The standard turbo 3-cylinder is good for day-to-day driving, but the available 250-hp turbo 4-cylinder adds a whole lot more excitement to the Ford Escape. It’s fitted to the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite.
Sliding second row: This is one of those great features you didn’t know you needed until you’ve had it. Want some extra legroom for taller passengers? Done. Or do you require a little more cargo room for bag-intensive errands? Done, and done again.
Easy-to-use infotainment system: The Ford Escape comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB ports, a digital instrument display, and Wi-Fi hot spot. Called Ford Sync 4, it’s easy to navigate while driving, and a larger 13.2-inch screen is available for about $1,000 extra starting at the base Active trim.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Escape models near you.
2025 Nissan Rogue
The 2025 Nissan Rogue starts at $30,620, including destination charge, and is available in five trims: S, SV, SL, Platinum, and the new-for-2025 Rock Creek edition. Powering all of them is a 201-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Like the Ford Escape, front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.
Nissan Rogue Highlights
Available Google-based infotainment: Higher Rogue trims, such as the SL and Platinum, come with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that runs via Google-based software. Quick responses and concise menus are great, but we’re especially big fans of the available Google Maps navigation.
Spacey seating: Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats take inspiration from NASA know-how when it comes to keeping you comfy and secure. Yes, space travel engineering was used to develop the seats in the Rogue. The result is some of our favorite seats in this class.
All about the MPGs: At its most frugal in front-wheel-drive configuration, the Rogue returns an EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined average. That makes the Rogue one of the most fuel-conscious compact SUVs out there.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Rogue models near you.
Similarities
The Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue are about as close as it gets in terms of size, pricing, and even fuel economy. These are two smart picks for anyone in the market for a compact SUV.
Pricing
New 2025 Ford Escape Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (27701)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$29,895 |
$28,382 |
|||
$30,890 |
$29,431 |
|||
$33,725 |
$32,534 |
|||
$33,985 |
$32,785 |
|||
$35,685 |
$33,765 |
|||
$37,040 |
$35,732 |
|||
$37,110 |
$35,343 |
|||
$38,035 |
$36,452 |
|||
$39,605 |
$38,464 |
New 2025 Nissan Rogue Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (27701)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$29,980 |
$29,080 |
|||
$30,980 |
$30,050 |
|||
$34,880 |
$33,348 |
|||
$36,480 |
$34,944 |
|||
$39,980 |
$39,400 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Ford Escape vehicles and New 2025 Nissan Rogue vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Ford Escape | 2025 Nissan Rogue | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder | Turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 201 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 199 hp @ 3,000 rpm | 225 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 27 city/34 highway/30 combined | 30 city/37 highway/33 combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 2.5-liter 4-cyl., AWD; hybrid; Plug-in hybrid | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 inches | 106.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 180.1 inches | 183.0 inches |
| Width | 74.1 inches | 72.4 inches |
| Height | 66.0 inches | 66.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.4 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 41.1 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.3 inches | 39.2 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.4 inches | 41.5 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 40.7 inches | 38.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.6 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.0 inches | 55.9 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 37.5 cubic feet | 36.5 cubic feet |
Conclusion
This is a very close contest and one that might come down to a dealership visit and test drive. But when nudged to pick a winner in this comparison, the less expensive, more efficient, and highly practical Rogue takes the trophy.
