Compare the2026 Ford Escape PHEVVS 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Escape PHEV 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 PHEV 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.

Both the Escape PHEV and Grand Cherokee have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Escape PHEV 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 PHEV and the Grand Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 PHEV is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee:

	Escape PHEV	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 PHEV is much safer than the Grand Cherokee:

	Escape PHEV	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 PHEV is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee:

	Escape PHEV	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 PHEV’s warranty.

Reliability

The Escape PHEV 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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Escape PHEV’s reliability 20 points higher than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and 30 points higher than the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4Xe.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escape PHEV 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 PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Grand Cherokee:

			MPGe
Escape PHEV
	FWD	Electric Motor	111 city/91 hwy
Grand Cherokee
			MPG
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

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

			MPG
Escape PHEV
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/37 hwy
Grand Cherokee
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

The Escape PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Grand Cherokee can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Escape PHEV’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Escape PHEV 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 PHEV higher (7 out of 10) than the Jeep Grand Cherokee (6). This means the Escape PHEV produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Grand Cherokee every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Escape PHEV 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 PHEV stops much shorter than the Grand Cherokee:

	Escape PHEV	Grand Cherokee
60 to 0 MPH	131 feet	142 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

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

Chassis

The Ford Escape PHEV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 1650 pounds less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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

Passenger Space

The Escape PHEV 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 PHEV easier. The Escape PHEV’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 PHEV 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 PHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. Only the Grand Cherokee Summit can be dinghy towed.

Ergonomics

The Escape PHEV’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Grand Cherokee’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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

The Escape PHEV has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Grand Cherokee Laredo X/Altitude/Limited/Summit.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Escape PHEV, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Grand Cherokee isn't recommended.

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