Chevrolet Equinox vs Ford Escape: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Ford Escape is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,670 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Escape HEV, 39 MPG combined), against $2,420 for the Chevrolet Equinox (Equinox, 27 MPG combined). That is $750 a year, or $3,750 over five years.
Both are classed as Small SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Gas
- Small SUVs
Chevrolet Equinox
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Equinox
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$16.13 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
5 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Ford Escape
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Escape HEV
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$11.13 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
5 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Chevrolet Equinox$2,420 a year · $16.13 per 100 mi
- Ford Escape$1,670 a year · $11.13 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$750
Ford Escape costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$3,750
$750 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Chevrolet Equinox | Ford Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Equinox | Escape HEV |
| Powertrain | Gas | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 27 MPG | 39 MPG (better) |
| City rating | 26 MPG | 42 MPG (better) |
| Highway rating | 29 MPG | 36 MPG (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,420/yr | $1,670/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $16.13 | $11.13 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $850–$2,510 | $1,160–$2,470 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 5 | 5 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Chevrolet Equinox | Ford Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 27 MPG · $2,420/yr Equinox | 30 MPG · $2,210/yr Escape |
| Hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 | 39 MPG · $1,670/yr Escape HEV |
| Plug-in hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 | 40 MPG gas-only · $1,160/yr Escape PHEV |
| Electric | 108 MPGe · $850/yr Equinox EV | Not offered in MY2026 |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Chevrolet Equinox
- Offers electric configurations in MY2026; the Ford Escape does not
Ford Escape
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,670 vs $2,420
- Higher combined rating: 39 MPG vs 27 MPG
- Higher city rating: 42 MPG vs 26 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 36 MPG vs 29 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,210 vs $2,420
- Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Chevrolet Equinox does not
- Offers plug-in hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Chevrolet Equinox does not
Year by year
| Model year | Chevrolet Equinox | Ford Escape | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 26–27 MPG | $850–$2,510 | 26–40 MPG | $1,160–$2,470 |
| 2025 | 26–27 MPG | $860–$2,530 | 26–40 MPG | $1,160–$2,470 |
| 2024 | 26–28 MPG | $850–$2,510 | 26–39 MPG | $1,670–$2,470 |
| 2023 | 26–28 MPG | $2,330–$2,490 | 26–40 MPG | $1,160–$2,480 |
| 2022 | 27–28 MPG | $2,330–$2,400 | 26–41 MPG | $1,130–$2,550 |
| 2021 | 27–28 MPG | $2,330–$2,420 | 26–41 MPG | $1,130–$2,520 |
| 2020 | 24–28 MPG | $2,320–$3,320 | 26–41 MPG | $1,150–$2,520 |
| 2019 | 24–32 MPG | $2,320–$3,320 | 23–26 MPG | $2,500–$2,830 |
| 2018 | 24–32 MPG | $2,310–$3,320 | 23–26 MPG | $2,520–$2,850 |
| 2017 | 18–25 MPG | $2,610–$3,600 | 23–26 MPG | $2,520–$2,840 |
| 2016 | 18–26 MPG | $2,550–$3,540 | 23–26 MPG | $2,480–$2,790 |
| 2015 | 19–26 MPG | $2,550–$3,500 | 23–26 MPG | $2,530–$2,810 |
| 2014 | 19–26 MPG | $2,550–$3,500 | 24–26 MPG | $2,540–$2,760 |
| 2013 | 19–26 MPG | $2,550–$3,500 | 24–26 MPG | $2,520–$2,760 |
| 2012 | 19–26 MPG | $2,550–$3,470 | 20–32 MPG | $2,050–$3,270 |
| 2011 | 19–26 MPG | $2,550–$3,470 | 20–32 MPG | $2,050–$3,280 |
| 2010 | 20–26 MPG | $2,510–$3,270 | 20–32 MPG | $2,040–$3,270 |
| 2009 | 19–20 MPG | $3,270–$3,440 | 20–32 MPG | $2,040–$3,270 |
| 2008 | 19 MPG | $3,440 | 19–32 MPG | $2,040–$3,440 |
| 2007 | 19–20 MPG | $3,270–$3,440 | 19–30 MPG | $2,180–$3,440 |
| 2006 | 18–19 MPG | $3,440–$3,630 | 19–29 MPG | $2,250–$3,440 |
| 2005 | 19 MPG | $3,440 | 17–29 MPG | $2,250–$3,840 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Chevrolet Equinox or the Ford Escape?
The Ford Escape is cheaper: about $1,670 a year against $2,420 for the Chevrolet Equinox, a difference of $750 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Ford Escape save over five years?
About $3,750 ($750 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Chevrolet Equinox or the Ford Escape?
The Ford Escape is rated 39 MPG combined against 27 MPG for the Chevrolet Equinox. City: 26 MPG vs 42 MPG. Highway: 29 MPG vs 36 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Chevrolet Equinox and the Ford Escape in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Chevrolet Equinox: ratings, trims and every model year
- Ford Escape: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Chevrolet Equinox: all configurations
- 2026 Ford Escape: all configurations
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