2026 head-to-head · Small SUV

2026 Ford Escape vs Kia Seltos

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,550/ year to fuel
30 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,603/ year to fuel
29 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2026 Ford Escape (30 MPG) costs about $1,550 a year to fuel and the 2026 Kia Seltos (29 MPG) about $1,603.

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
  • Kia Seltos

Side by side

Ford EscapeKia Seltos
$1,550 Your annual fuel cost $1,603
30 MPG Combined efficiency 29 MPG
27 MPG City 27 MPG
34 MPG Highway 31 MPG
298 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 309 g/mi
6/10 EPA fuel economy score 6/10
6/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 6/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
1.5L 3-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl
8-speed automatic Transmission CVT
FWD 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 vs Kia Seltos across model years

  • Ford Escape
  • Kia Seltos

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 ranks 52nd and the Kia Seltos 58th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Ford Escape or the 2026 Kia Seltos?

Measured by cost to drive, the Ford Escape. The Ford Escape is rated 30 MPG combined and the Kia Seltos 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Ford Escape vs. the Kia Seltos per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Ford Escape and $1,603 for the Kia Seltos.

Ford Escape vs Kia Seltos in other years

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