Compare the2026 Ford Escape PHEVVS 2026 Nissan Leaf

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 Nissan Leaf has not been tested.

Both the Escape PHEV and Leaf have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Escape PHEV has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Leaf’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Escape PHEV and the Leaf have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape PHEV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escape PHEV first among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Leaf 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 Nissan With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Nissan.

The Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 36 more horsepower (210 vs. 174) than the Leaf S’ standard electric motor.

The Escape PHEV’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 503 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Leaf’s range is only 259 to 303 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 35 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas.

The Escape PHEV stops shorter than the Leaf:

For better traction, the Escape PHEV has larger tires than the Leaf (225/60R18 vs. 215/55R18).

The Escape PHEV has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Leaf; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front grille of the Escape PHEV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Leaf doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Escape PHEV has 10.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Leaf (102.2 vs. 92).

The Escape PHEV has .1 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, 7.1 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Leaf.

The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Leaf with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 20 cubic feet). The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Leaf with its rear seat folded (60.8 vs. 55.5 cubic feet).

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Escape PHEV. The Leaf doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Escape PHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Leaf has no towing capacity.

The Escape PHEV can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), 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. The Leaf can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape PHEV uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Leaf doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the Escape PHEV and the Leaf have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Escape PHEV is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Leaf prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Leaf’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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 Leaf doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Escape PHEV has a standard rear wiper. The Leaf doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Escape PHEV’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Leaf Platinum+.

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 Leaf Platinum+.

The Escape PHEV’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Leaf doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Escape PHEV and the Leaf offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Escape PHEV has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Leaf doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Escape PHEV, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the Nissan Leaf by over 27 to one during 2025.