2026 head-to-head · Small SUV
2026 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Sportage 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.
FWD · 2.5L 4-cyl · CVT · 101 MPGe + 40 MPG
The 2026 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $985 a year to fuel (101 MPGe + 40 MPG), versus $1,107 for the 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid (42 MPG). That's roughly $122 a year, or about $612 over five years.
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 Plug-in Hybrid
- Kia Sportage Hybrid
Side by side
| Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid | Kia Sportage Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $985 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,107 |
| 101 MPGe + 40 MPG | Combined efficiency | 42 MPG |
| 111 MPGe / 42 MPG | City | 41 MPG |
| 91 MPGe / 37 MPG | Highway | 44 MPG |
| 33 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 520 mi | Driving range | — |
| 37 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 222 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 209 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 9/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| 3.2 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Regular gas + electricity | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo |
| CVT | Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ 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 Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Sportage Hybrid across model years
- Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid
- Kia Sportage 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 Plug-in Hybrid ranks 24th and the Kia Sportage Hybrid 27th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, while the Kia Sportage Hybrid is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid or the 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid. The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is rated 101 MPGe + 40 MPG combined and the Kia Sportage Hybrid 42 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Kia Sportage Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $985 for the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid and $1,107 for the Kia Sportage Hybrid.
Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Sportage Hybrid in other years
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