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.

Ford Escape vs Toyota Highlander

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Toyota Highlander to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Toyota Highlander if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Escape	Toyota Highlander
Annual maintenance	$600	$489winner
5-year total cost	$3,000	$2,445winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%winner	13%
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$30,350winner	$45,870
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Escape	Toyota Highlander
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	0	0
Years to avoid	None identified	None identified
Value retained · 3 yr	71.1%	83.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	52.5%	63.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	40.2%	51.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Escape	Toyota Highlander
Engine	39.4%	—winner
Electrical	4.6%	—winner
ADAS	7.3%	—winner
Brakes	2.1%	—winner
Suspension	0.7%	—winner
Steering	9.0%	—winner
Fuel system	5.9%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	—winner
Glass/Windows	1.7%	—winner
Airbags	1.4%	—winner

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	Toyota Highlander
Avg annual premium	$2,054winner	$2,401

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Ford Escape

$600/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota Highlander

$489/yr maint · 8 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 →