2025 Ford Escape vs. Subaru Outback - Which One Is Better For A Daily Driver In Alabama

If you're in the market for a new SUV, there are many options, but two of the more popular choices each year are the Ford Escape and the Subaru Outback. For 2025, these two models have a lot to offer drivers, but they cater to different buyer requirements. To help you decide which model is best for your needs, our team at Stivers Ford of Birmingham has compiled this guide to compare the cars’ specs in all the key areas.

Exterior Design and Features

The 2025 Ford Escape and the 2025 Subaru Outback have distinct exterior designs tailored to different lifestyles. The Ford Escape has a sleeker and more aerodynamic profile, catering to a more modern, city-friendly lifestyle, further enhanced by the bold mesh grille, LED headlights, and sporty rear spoiler.

The Subaru Outback, on the other hand, offers a more rugged appearance, with a taller roofline, increased ground clearance, and protective cladding, hinting at its off-roading capabilities. With its angular LED headlights, the new front fascia adds to its more rugged appearance.

Since both SUVs offer a unique style, deciding which is better for your lifestyle will depend on your personal preferences.

Escape vs Outback - Performance Comparisons

The 2025 Ford Escape offers three available powertrains — a hybrid option and two gas-powered ones. The standard equipment includes a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that pairs with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) and produces 181 horsepower. The other gas-powered option is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower and comes standard with AWD. The base setup, with FWD, delivers fuel economy estimates of 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, while the turbocharged AWD setup achieves 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

With the Subaru Outback, you've two powertrain options: the standard setup uses a 2.5-liter engine that produces 182 horsepower, while a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 260 horsepower is also available. Both options use a continuously variable transmission and AWD. The standard setup delivers 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, while the turbocharged version achieves 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The 2025 Ford Escape, therefore, offers moderately better fuel efficiency, while the Subaru Outback is slightly more powerful.

Interior Comfort, Space, and Versatility Compared

The 2025 Ford Escape offers a stylish and spacious cabin, whether you're in the front or back seats. Standard features include textured cloth seat upholstery, push-button start, a driver's side footrest, and 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear, extendable to 65.4 cubic feet with the back seats folded down. Optional upgrades to the interior include:

• Easy access cargo shade
• Multiple outlets for device charging
• Rotary gear shift dial
• Outside temperature display
• Heated steering wheel
• Panoramic Vista Roof with power shade

The interior of the 2025 Subaru Outback is less exciting. There's a good amount of space, especially compared to older Outback models: 32.6 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats upright and 75.6 cubic feet folded down. The standard trim level has few advanced features, but higher-level trims offer comfort features, such as dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. We recommend exploring each Subaru Outback trim level in depth to ensure it has the features you're looking for, as you may need to upgrade several levels to find all those you want.

Escape vs Outback - Technology and Connectivity

Both the 2025 Ford Escape and the 2025 Subaru Outback have the latest technologies and connectivity options. For the Ford Escape, this includes an 8-inch infotainment screen (or an optional 13.2-inch version) that runs Ford's latest Sync 4 interface, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This system updates itself over the air, so you'll never have to worry about using an outdated version of the software. Optional features for the Ford Escape include a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen B&O Play audio system, a pop-up head-up display, a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, and an in-dash navigation system.

The 2025 Subaru Outback offers a smaller infotainment system, with the base model featuring a 7-inch screen and the upgraded version an 11.6-inch one. Like the Ford Escape, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but you'll have to pay extra if you want features such as in-dash navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, or wireless device charging. For the best 2025 Subaru Outback audio experience, upgrade to either the Onyx, Limited, or Touring trims to get the 12-speaker, 576-watt Harman/Kardon audio system.

Does The Ford Escape or Outback Have Better Safety Ratings

Both models feature a good range of safety features, many of which are common to both, including:

• Forward collision warning
• Automated emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-keeping assist

The Ford Escape also features blind-spot monitoring and a rear cross-traffic alert as standard, while the Subaru Outback has these features as optional upgrades. Thanks to these and other features, both models received five-star overall safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Which Model Is Best For Your Daily Drive in Alabama?

Deciding between the 2025 Subaru Outback vs. Ford Escape will depend on your specific needs. If you're looking for an off-roading SUV, you may prefer the more rugged exterior and extra horsepower of the Subaru Outback. But if you want an SUV for everyday use, the 2025 Ford Escape has better fuel efficiency and more standard features. The best way to determine which model suits you is to explore each in detail, including scheduling a test drive.

Test Drive the 2025 Ford Escape at Stivers Ford of Birmingham

To learn more about the 2025 Ford Escape in the Birmingham area, please visit Stivers Ford. We have the latest models in stock, and one of our team members would be happy to answer any questions, provide expert recommendations, or set you up with a test drive. You can also check out our latest specials for ways to save on your next 2025 Ford Escape. Contact us today to schedule a test drive or stop by our dealership at your earliest convenience.

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