What is the best year for a Ford Escape?

Complaint data doesn't differentiate between model years for the Escape in our records, so a data-grounded year-specific recommendation isn't possible. The Escape received a full redesign for 2020 — later years within a generation typically benefit from resolved early-production issues.

How much does Ford Escape insurance cost?

The Escape averages around $2,054/year to insure, or roughly $171/month. Rates vary by trim, model year, location, and driving history.

Is the Ford Escape or Honda CR-V cheaper to maintain?

The CR-V is cheaper to maintain by $193/year — $407 versus $600 for the Escape. The CR-V also has a higher reliability score (9 vs. 8). On maintenance cost, the CR-V is the stronger value in this comparison.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Ford Escape?

With a major repair probability and reliability score both at the class average, the Escape presents a moderate, average-risk ownership proposition. No strong case for or against extended warranty — it comes down to individual risk tolerance and how long you plan to keep the vehicle.

Is the Mazda CX-5 expensive to maintain?

The CX-5 averages $447/year in maintenance — $74 below the compact segment average of $521. Its 9/10 reliability score is above the class average, major repair probability of 8% is well below the 11% norm, and repair frequency of 28% is below the 30% class average. One of the strongest ownership-cost profiles in the compact class.

What is the best year for a Mazda CX-5?

From available data, 2024 (38 complaints, 10/10 safety, 4 severe) and 2025 (22 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) are the cleanest years on record. Complaint data for 2015-2022 isn't available in our dataset, so those years can't be assessed directly. Early years 2013-2014 had higher complaint counts and are best avoided.

How much does Mazda CX-5 insurance cost?

CX-5 insurance averages about $1,947/year — roughly $162/month — the most affordable among compact SUVs with full data.

Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $18/year cheaper — $429 versus $447 for the CX-5. The CX-5 has higher reliability (9 vs. 8) and a lower major repair probability (8% vs. 10%). The RAV4 costs slightly less per year; the CX-5 carries a better long-term reliability profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mazda CX-5?

Major repair probability of 8% — well below the class average of 11% — and a 9/10 reliability score make extended warranty unnecessary for most buyers. Self-insuring is the better financial decision.

Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Ford Escape if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Mazda CX-5 — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Escape	Mazda CX-5
Annual maintenance	$600	$447winner
5-year total cost	$3,000	$2,235winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	9 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%	8%winner
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$30,350	$29,990winner
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Escape	Mazda CX-5
RepairPal score	8 / 10	9 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	0winner	106.6
Years to avoid	None identified	2014, 2025
Value retained · 3 yr	71.1%	78.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	52.5%	62.1%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	40.2%	53.2%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Escape	Mazda CX-5
Engine	39.4%	12.8%winner
Electrical	4.6%winner	23.1%
ADAS	7.3%winner	8.5%
Brakes	2.1%winner	7.6%
Suspension	0.7%	—winner
Steering	9.0%	2.0%winner
Fuel system	5.9%	1.6%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	1.3%winner
Glass/Windows	1.7%winner	14.4%
Airbags	1.4%winner	1.6%
Lighting	—winner	2.5%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Ford Escape	Mazda CX-5
Avg annual premium	$2,054	$1,947winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Ford Escape

$600/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Escape costs $600/year to maintain — $79 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 31% is slightly above the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 8 and major repair probability of 11% both match the segment average. It's an above-average cost with an average reliability profile.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →