Are you looking for a small to midsize SUV? Both the 2018 Ford Escape and the 2018 Jeep Compass are excellent choices. However, there are a few key features that Ford offers, that Jeep doesn't. The Ford Escape has three engines to choose from offering more power and torque than the one engine offering in the Jeep Compass. The Ford Escape is a bit roomier inside than the Jeep Compass giving more legroom and headroom to its passengers. The Ford Escape also has more cargo space, 34 cubic-feet vs. 27.2 cubic-feet in the Jeep Compass. It's already becoming easy to see who the winner is here, keep reading to find out more.


Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves you time, money and trouble. Who wants to be stuck on the side of the road with a broken down SUV, right? Consumer Reports rates the Escape's reliability 25 points higher than the Compass. J.D. Power and Associates rate the Ford Escape third in overall dependability for midsize SUVs, with the Jeep Compass coming at number 10 in overall dependability for small SUVs.

Safety

Both the 2018 Ford Escape and the 2018 Jeep Compass are well equipped with standard airbags, driver and front passenger belt-minder, height adjustable front shoulder belts, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems preventing skidding, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, and rear cross-path warning.

The Ford Escape goes above and beyond when it comes to safety where the Compass falls short in offering optional parking sensors, warning the driver of nearby vehicles and pedestrians in front of, or behind, the vehicle.

The Escape's optional driver alert monitor detects when a driver is getting sleepy or is inattentive, sounds a warning, and suggests taking a break. According to USDOT 2016 Fatal Traffic Crash Data, there were a reported 3,450 distraction-related deaths, 803 drowsy-driving related deaths, and 5, 987 pedestrian-related deaths.


Cool Features

  • The Ford Escape's front grille uses electronically controlled shutters that close off airflow when less engine cooling is needed, thus, reducing drag and improving highway fuel economy.
  • The Ford Escape offers optional memory seats and mirrors making it easy to set and customize seat position and outside mirror angle when switching from one driver to the next.
  • The Escape's optional easy entry system automatically glides the driver's seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easy for the driver to get in and out of the vehicle.
  • The Ford Escape's power window switches activate the windows to completely open or close with one touch of the switches. The Compass' rear power window switches have to be held to close the windows them completely.
  • The Ford Escape has an exterior keypad giving you easy access to your vehicle should you lock your keys inside the vehicle, or don't have your keys with you. The Compass offers an optional Uconnect Access system, however, you can't unlock the doors remotely if you don't have cell phone reception, or the driver can't contact the service.
  • The Ford Escape's standard door locks automatically engage when a certain speed is reached. The Compass' standard power locks don't automatically lock the doors.
  • The Ford Escape incorporates standard speed-sensitive wipers that speed up when the vehicle does. The Jeep Compass' standard variable intermittent wipers have to be manually adjusted.
  • The Ford Escape has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature across all trim levels. When the vehicle is running, the headlights automatically turn on and off according to available ambient light. When you turn the vehicle off, the headlights automatically turn off after a delayed time. The Jeep Compass has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the upper trim levels Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited.
  • The Ford Escape has both air conditioning vents and heat vents for second-row passengers. The Jeep Compass only heat vents.
  • The Ford Escape SE/SEL/Titanium trim levels offer an optional Adaptive Cruise Control that automatically adjusts the speed of the vehicle according to traffic. Jeep Compass doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.
  • The Ford Escape's Titanium's Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot almost by itself-the driver merely controls the speed with the brake pedal, and the park assist does the rest. Jeep Compass doesn't offer an automated parking system.

Conclusion

As you can see, even though the 2018 Ford Escape starts at $23, 940 whereas the 2018 Jeep Compass starts at $21, 095, with all of the extra features Ford has to offer, it's obvious that the Ford Escape offers more value for the money.

Check out our current inventory of 2018 Ford Escape midsize SUVs. We invite you to come on into Ames Ford Lincoln 123 Airport Rd., Ames, IA to test drive a 2018 Ford Escape today!