2026 head-to-head · Small SUV
2026 Ford Escape Hybrid vs Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
Part-time 4WD · 2.5L 4-cyl · CVT · 39 MPG
AWD · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo · 6-speed dual-clutch · 83 MPGe + 36 MPG
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, the most efficient 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid (39 MPG) costs about $1,192 a year to fuel and the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid (83 MPGe + 36 MPG) about $1,212.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Ford Escape Hybrid
- Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Ford Escape Hybrid | Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,192 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,212 |
| 39 MPG | Combined efficiency | 83 MPGe + 36 MPG |
| 42 MPG | City | 87 MPGe / 35 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 78 MPGe / 36 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 43 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 470 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 33 mi |
| 225 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 97 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 9/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 2 hrs |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo |
| CVT | Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch |
| Part-time 4WD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Ford Escape Hybrid vs Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Ford Escape Hybrid
- Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 114 2026 small SUVs, the Ford Escape Hybrid ranks 31st and the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid 32nd for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Ford Escape Hybrid is a full hybrid, while the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid or the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Ford Escape Hybrid. The Ford Escape Hybrid is rated 39 MPG combined and the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid 83 MPGe + 36 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Ford Escape Hybrid vs. the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,192 for the Ford Escape Hybrid and $1,212 for the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid.
Ford Escape Hybrid vs Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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