Compare the2026 Subaru SolterraVS 2026 Ford Escape PHEV

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Subaru Solterra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Solterra offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Solterra’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

The Subaru Solterra’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Ford Escape PHEV does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Solterra and the Escape PHEV 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, 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.

The Subaru Solterra weighs 515 to 630 pounds more than the Ford Escape PHEV. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the Ford Escape PHEV:

	Solterra	Escape PHEV
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Stress	130 lbs.	181 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	58 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 Subaru Solterra is safer than the Ford Escape PHEV:

	Solterra	Escape PHEV
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	197
Chest Movement	.4 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	86 lbs.	191 lbs.
Hip Force	237 lbs.	240 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	609 lbs.	816 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	9 inches	11 inches
HIC	315	344

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Solterra is much safer than the Escape PHEV:

	Solterra	Escape PHEV
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	105	391
Head Peak Forces	no contact	93 G’s
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.51 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.22 in	1.77 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	870 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.63 in	1.54 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.18 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	647 lbs.	1093 lbs.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Solterra is 5.8% less likely to roll over than the Escape PHEV.

The Subaru Solterra has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Escape PHEV is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 13th.

Engine

The Solterra’s standard electric motors produces 23 more horsepower (233 vs. 210) than the Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Solterra XT’s standard electric motors produces 128 more horsepower (338 vs. 210) than the Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the Escape PHEV running on electricity:

			MPGe
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	131 city/109 hwy
		Limited Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
		XT Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
Escape PHEV
	FWD	Electric Motor	111 city/91 hwy

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

			MPGe
Solterra
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	131 city/109 hwy
		Limited Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
		XT Electric Motors	128 city/105 hwy
Escape PHEV
			MPG
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/37 hwy

The Solterra can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 278 to 288 miles. The Escape PHEV has to start its internal combustion engine after only 37 miles.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Solterra higher (10 out of 10) than the Ford Escape PHEV (7). This means the Solterra produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Escape PHEV every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Solterra’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Escape PHEV are solid, not vented.

The Solterra stops shorter than the Escape PHEV:

	Solterra	Escape PHEV
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	150 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Solterra has larger tires than the Escape PHEV (235/60R18 vs. 225/60R18).

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape PHEV’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Solterra Limited/Touring has standard 20-inch wheels. The Escape PHEV’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Solterra’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Escape PHEV (112.2 inches vs. 106.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Solterra is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Escape PHEV.

The Solterra Touring handles at .80 G’s, while the Escape PHEV pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The Escape PHEV’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Solterra has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Escape PHEV with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 60.8 cubic feet).

The Solterra’s cargo area is larger than the Escape PHEV’s in almost every dimension:

	Solterra	Escape PHEV
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	47”/75”	36.7”/68.3”
Max Width	50.4”	57.3”
Min Width	38.1”	41.4”
Height	36.5”	32.8”

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Solterra Limited/Touring’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 35% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

Ergonomics

The Solterra’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Escape PHEV.

If the windows are left open on the Solterra the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Subaru service department.) The driver of the Escape PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Solterra’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Escape PHEV’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Solterra’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Escape PHEV’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Solterra has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the Solterra Limited/Touring is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Escape PHEV’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Subaru Solterra and Ford Escape PHEV offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Solterra offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Escape PHEV’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the Solterra and the Escape PHEV have standard heated front seats. The Solterra Limited/Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Escape PHEV.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Solterra Touring XT keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Solterra has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console for two separate devices. Wireless charging costs extra on the Escape PHEV, and only charges one device.

The Solterra Limited/Touring has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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