Not sure if the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport or Escape is right for you? Our comparison guide takes a closer look at these small SUVs and why one might be better than the other for your Midwest drive!
Key Takeaways
- With its friendly, easygoing cruise, the Escape always feels at home in the Midwest!
- While both SUVs are high-tech, the Bronco Sport now comes standard with features that are optional on the Escape.
- The Escape is available with vital winter performance upgrades, but only the Bronco Sport is specially built for rugged performance.
- Choose the Escape to maximize your at-the-pump savings, with up to 101 MPGe!
Everyday Comfort
When it comes to your contentment, what’s the difference between the Bronco Sport and Escape? The first thing you’ll notice is that the Escape’s comfort-tuned performance sets it apart from its Ford cousin. The Bronco Sport is meant for the trail, and that means it feels stiffer back on the pavement. In other words, the bumps in the road are a little more pronounced when you’re cruising in the Bronco Sport!
That said, both models get great reviews for their roomy cabins and cushy seating. The Escape comes standard with a few extra niceties (like dual-zone automatic climate control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel), but most of these items are available as options on the Bronco Sport. Each of Ford’s compact crossovers is available as a variety of trim models, and some are more luxurious than others. Climb the list for Owosso-friendly upgrades like heated front seats and a heated steering wheel!
Road-Trip-Ready Technology
Since both the Bronco Sport and Escape are brought to you by Ford, it’s no surprise that they share tech features like the SYNC 4 infotainment system and Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety aids. Both models also help you navigate slippery roads with forward collision warning and lane-keeping assistance.
Thanks to an update for the 2025 model year, the Bronco Sport comes standard with some street-smart features that are optional for the Escape — including a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, 13.2-inch central touchscreen, and wireless smartphone charging pad. The new Bronco Sport even comes standard with more driving aids, including adaptive cruise control (keeping you a safe distance from the vehicle up ahead) and evasive steering assistance (helping you steer away from a head-on collision).
Midwest-Friendly Power & Performance
With standard all-wheel drive, the Bronco Sport is ready for Michigan winters. Not only does this performance gear help you navigate slippery roads, but it’s also up for summertime trips down your favorite off-road trails! With 7.8 inches of ground clearance (or 8.6 inches in the extra-rugged Badlands trim), the Bronco Sport is set up to handle slushy roads. And speaking of clearance, the Bronco Sport is available with an incredible list of off-road upgrades! Features like all-terrain tires and upgraded four-wheel drive help you tackle Michigan’s sand dunes and rocky hills alike.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Powertrain Options
- Turbo 1.5L three-cylinder engine (181 hp, 190 lb-ft of torque)
- Turbo 2.0L four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 277 lb-ft) (Badlands only)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- All-wheel drive
When it comes to performance, the Escape is more of a smooth operator. For commuters, it’s a godsend. This small SUV is available with the same engines as the Bronco Sport, but it also adds thrifty hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains to your list of options. And there’s more good news for Michigan commuters, because it’s easy to equip the Escape (which features a respectable 7.5 inches of ground clearance) for enhanced winter driving — just add all-wheel drive!
2025 Ford Escape Powertrain Options
- Active, ST-Line: turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder engine (180 hp, 199 lb-ft)
- ST-Line Select and up: turbo 2.0L four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 280 lb-ft)
- Optional for the ST-Line and up: 2.5L hybrid powertrain (192 hp, 155 lb-ft)
- PHEV: 2.5L plug-in hybrid powertrain (210 hp, 155 lb-ft)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Continuously variable transmission (with hybrid or plug-in hybrid)
- Front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive
Commuter-Friendly Mileage
Choose the Escape to make your regular trips to Detroit or Lansing more affordable! Thanks to its 37-mile electric driving range, the Escape PHEV trim model earns up to 101 MPGe. Once that range runs out, this SUV goes into hybrid mode, earning 40 mpg combined. The Escape’s classic hybrid powertrain, available for all but the base Active and PHEV trims, is another thrifty choice, giving you 39 mpg combined (42 city/36 highway)!
Although the Bronco Sport is available with the same gas-powered engines as the Escape, the extra weight of its trail-ready gear makes it slightly less efficient. While EPA ratings vary, this sporty SUV is at its most efficient with its base powertrain, earning up to 27 mpg combined (25 city/30 highway).
Your New Compact SUV
In the end, choosing between the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and Escape comes down to what kind of Owosso driver you are. To make the most of thrilling off-road landscapes, the Bronco Sport is the best compact crossover for you. And with its smooth, comfortable drive and incredible fuel economy, the Escape is the best choice for drivers who like to keep their show on the actual road. Get a real feel for these all-American SUVs — visit us at Lunghamer Ford to test-drive your favorite model!