Comparative Automotive Research has identified no less than 34 advantages that the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport AWC has over the Ford Escape 4WD.

Engine

The Outlander Sport AWC's engines reach maximum power at lower RPM's than the Escape 4WD's engines, as detailed below by trim and engine:

			RPM's to Peak Torque
	Outlander Sport AWC		4200
	Escape 4WD		4500

Transmission

The Outlander Sport AWC has a Standard manually interactive automatic transmission. This type of automatic transmission gives the driver complete gear control, like a manually-shifted transmission, but without the inconvenient clutch. The type of transmission is Not Available in the Escape 4WD.

Basic Warranty

Mitsubishi's basic warranty provides better coverage than Ford's. It covers everything except items subject to wear and tear (oil filters, wiper blades, etc.).

			Basic Warranty Months		Basic Warranty Miles
	Outlander Sport AWC		60		60000
	Escape 4WD		36		36000

Powertrain Warranty

Mitsubishi's powertrain warranty offers better coverage than the Ford's. This warranty covers most of the parts that make the car move such as the engine, transmission, and drive axles.

			Powertrain Warranty Months		Powertrain Warranty Miles
	Outlander Sport AWC		120		100000
	Escape 4WD		60		60000

Corrosion Warranty

Mitsubishi's corrosion warranty provides better protection than Ford's. This warranty protects against rust-through (sheetmetal perforation).

			Corrosion Warranty Months
	Outlander Sport AWC		84
	Escape 4WD		60

Fuel Economy and Emissions

The Outlander Sport AWC is more fuel efficient than the Escape 4WD. Superior fuel efficiency makes the Outlander Sport AWC both more environmentally friendly and less expensive to operate than the Escape 4WD.

			Fuel Economy Hwy		Fuel Economy City
	Outlander Sport AWC		28 mpg.		23 mpg.
	Escape 4WD		27 mpg.		20 mpg.

*Mileage statistics shown are for each vehicle with its standard transmission. Fuel economy is only compared for like engines (i.e. 4 cyl. to 4 cyl.)

Cost to Own

The base MSRP on the Outlander Sport AWC is less than the base MSRP on the Escape 4WD as shown in the table below.

			Base Price MSRP
	Outlander Sport AWC		23,295
	Escape 4WD XLT		26,620
	Escape 4WD Limited		28,120

Airbags

Both the Outlander Sport AWC and the Escape 4WD feature Standard driver and passenger air bags.

General Safety

The Outlander Sport AWC is equipped with Standard 4WD-PT.

The Outlander Sport AWC has a Standard remote fuel door release which allows the driver to open the fuel door from inside the vehicle. Because the fuel door cannont be opened from the outside, access to the vehicle's fuel tank is restricted, preventing tampering with the fuel supply. A remote fuel door is Not Available on the Escape 4WD.

The Outlander Sport AWC has a Optional rear spoiler, which creates additional downdraft at higher speeds, improving road holding ability. A rear spoiler is Not Available on the Escape 4WD (Limited, XLS).

Fog lights are Standard on the Outlander Sport AWC but they are Not Available on the Escape 4WD XLS. Fog lights are very effective at improving visibility in foggy and other difficult driving situations.

High intensity discharge (HID) headlights are Standard on the Outlander Sport AWC but Not Available Escape 4WD. HID headlights offer several advantages - increased visibility due to significantly brighter light, longer lasting/more durable bulbs and much lower energy use.

The Outlander Sport AWC has Standard rain-sensing windshield wipers that are activated by rain or moisture on the windshield. This type of wiper is Not Available on the Escape 4WD.

Interior Space

The Outlander Sport AWC has more interior space than the Escape 4WD in the following areas:

			Hip Room, Rear		Leg Room, Rear
	Outlander Sport AWC		51.6 in.		36.3 in.
	Escape 4WD		49.1 in.		35.6 in.

Cargo Space

The Outlander Sport AWC has a Standard rear seat pass through, allowing very long items, like snow skis to be transported inside the vehicle. A rear seat pass through is Not Available in the Escape 4WD.

Standard second row fold-down armrests provide a place for the second row passengers to to rest their forearms for added comfort. Second row fold-down armrests are Not Available in the Escape 4WD.

Chassis

The Outlander Sport AWC, with its higher minimum ground clearance, 8.5 in. vs. 8.4 in., is more capable than the Escape 4WD of traversing rough terrain without problems.

The Outlander Sport AWC is shorter than the Escape 4WD , 169.1 in. vs. 174.7 in., so it will be easier to handle and maneuver.

The Outlander Sport AWC's wheelbase is longer than the Escape 4WD's, 105.1 in. vs. 103.1 in., producing a smoother ride and more stable handling.

The Outlander Sport AWC is narrower than the Escape 4WD, 69.7 in. vs. 71.1 in., so it will be easier to maneuver and park, especially in tight parking spaces.

Wheels and Tires

The Outlander Sport AWC comes standard with lower profile, 55 series tires (height to width ratio), which may provide better handling than the 70 series tires standard on the Escape 4WD.

Braking

The Outlander Sport AWC has standard front and rear disc brakes but the Escape 4WD only has standard rear Drum brakes. Drums tend to heat up with repeated use and can cause stopping distances to increase.

Additional Features

A heated front seat provides additional comfort in very cold weather. As shown below, a heated front seat is a feature found more often in the in the Outlander Sport AWC than the Escape 4WD.

			Front Heated Seat
	Outlander Sport AWC		Standard
	Escape 4WD XLS		Not Available
	Escape 4WD XLT		Optional

The Outlander Sport AWC features a Optional navigational aid system, providing maps, driving directions and location assistance. A navigation system is Not Available in the Escape 4WD (XLS, XLT).

Illuminated vanity mirrors are Standard in the Outlander Sport AWC but Not Available in the Escape 4WD XLS.

An automatic climate control system controls the temperature, fan speed, and vents to maintain a consistent environment within the passenger compartment. This type of climate control system is more commonly found in the Outlander Sport AWC than the Escape 4WD, as shown below.

			Automatic Climate Control
	Outlander Sport AWC		Standard
	Escape 4WD Limited		Optional
	Escape 4WD XLS		Not Available
	Escape 4WD XLT		Not Available

With a Optional power sunroof, a touch of a button is all Outlander Sport AWC owners need to let the sun or the stars shine in. In contrast, bringing in the great outdoors will be more difficult in the Escape 4WD XLS as a power sunroof is Not Available.

The Outlander Sport AWC features Standard automatic headlights that control their on/off capability. Automatic headlights are Not Available on the Escape 4WD XLS.

The Outlander Sport AWC offers Standard tinted glass which absorbs and deflects some of the sun's radiation helping to reduce interior heat and the fading of interior materials. Tinted glass is Not Available in the Escape 4WD XLS.

Heated exterior mirrors help improve the driver's visibility. You are more likely to find heated exterior mirrors on the Outlander Sport AWC than in the Escape 4WD, as shown below:

			Heated Exterior Mirror
	Outlander Sport AWC		Standard
	Escape 4WD XLS		Not Available
	Escape 4WD XLT		Optional

Awards

2012 TOP SAFETY PICK AWARD: ~Insurance Institute For Highway Safety