2019 Ford Escape vs Kia Sportage

Both the 2019 Ford Escape and Kia Sportage do double duty as thrifty commuters and comfy family transport. Which one's right for you? Our comparison guide has the answers.

Comfiest Cruiser: 2019 Ford Escape

If you've got a long ride to work, the Escape wraps you in comfort the entire way. You'll find generous head and leg room in both rows. Seating is soft, yet supportive. All but the base trim feature dual-zone automatic climate control, so you can set two separate temperatures for driver and passenger on long trips.

The Kia Sportage also offers a solid comfort lineup. In the backseat, you'll plenty of leg room for your kids to grow into. Front seats are firmly supportive - another great way to spend a road trip. We do think that the Escape offers the smoother ride, however.

Best Connectivity: 2019 Ford Escape

If you're shopping for the most in smartphone integration, start with the Escape. We're big fans of its Sync 3 infotainment system, with its crisp, responsive 8-inch touchscreen and easy-to-remember voice controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities display smartphone apps - like your maps, music, and text messaging apps - on the central touchscreen. Press a button on the steering wheel to use your phone's Siri or Google voice controls. In the Escape, there's no need to look down at your phone.

Kia's Uvo system is equally easy to use, thanks to its intuitive menu system. It also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you won't miss out on smartphone apps. However, Kia offers its Uvo infotainment system in three tiers, so you have to pay more to enjoy more features.

Thriftiest Ride: It's a Tie!

Depending on powertrain, both the 2019 Ford Escape and the Kia Sportage offer 23 city/30 highway mpg. That's pretty good, considering both crossovers give you plenty of power to boot. Whichever crossover you select, you can count on a smooth ride and responsive speed.

Road-Trip-Friendly Utility: 2019 Ford Escape

Here, too, there's some overlap. Both the Escape and the Sportage offer all-wheel drive for greater precision on winding roads and a safer ride on icy pavement. You can add roof rails to either model to bring all your favorite sports gear on your next road trip.

However, the Escape has the edge here, thanks to its generous cargo hold. Behind the rear seats, there are 34 cubic feet for everybody's luggage. To haul larger items, fold down the seats for 68 cubic feet of maximum space. In the Sportage, by contrast, there are 30.7 cubes behind the rear seats and 60.1 cubes max.

Both crossovers have their strong points, but the Escape is stronger overall. We think you'll agree that it's the best crossover for your commute, with its impressive combination of fuel economy and smooth-riding power. Inside, the Escape's supportive seating and spacious cargo hold help your family hit the road in style.