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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie CarBudget Buy $15,000: Nissan Rogue vs Ford Escape
In the market for a used compact SUV? We compare the Nissan Rogue vs the Ford Escape to help determine the best budget buy for you.
Nissan Rouge vs Ford Escape: What’s the Best Compact SUV?
If you’re looking for a used compact SUV you won’t be short on choices. With every automaker having a player (or two!) in the game how do you even begin to choose? We’ve done the hard work for you and look at the 2017 Nissan Rogue vs the 2017 Ford Escape factoring in their specs, performance, comfort, features, and more to help you make an informed, budget-conscious decision.
Nissan Rogue vs Ford Escape Specs
The 2017 Nissan Rogue is powered by a 170-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). A hybrid version is also available and pairs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined 176 horsepower with the same CVT.
Both powertrains can be equipped with either front- or all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive gas engines get an estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while all-wheel drive models get 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Front-wheel drive hybrid models get an estimated 33 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, while all-wheel drive gets 31 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
Nissan has improved the Rogue’s powertrain in more recent models. That alone earned it a spot on our list of Best Compact SUVs of 2022.
Three engine options are available on the 2017 Ford Escape. A 168-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is only available on the base front-wheel drive S trim level. Next up is a 179-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that is standard on the SE and Titanium trims. The top optional engine is a 245-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost.
All three engine options in the 2017 Ford Escape are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The base 2.5-liter engine is not the most fuel efficient, getting an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. A step up to the 1.5-liter turbocharged gets slightly better results with front-wheel drive getting an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway and all-wheel drive falling to 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The most powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine gets an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for front-wheel drive models and 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for all-wheel drive.
If you’re thinking a new Escape might be the way to go, see our New vs Used: Ford Escape article where we compare powertrains fuel, economy, and many other features.
Driving and Performance
The 2017 Nissan Rogue is one of the slowest and weakest performers in its class. The CVT can be to blame for delayed acceleration. Its soft suspension does contribute to a smooth ride, but don’t expect the Rogue to feel sporty. The steering is heavy and lacking precision and handling is loose. It does boast a soft suspension which provides a smooth comfortable ride.
The 2017 Ford Escape’s base engine is about as basic as you can get, but the turbocharged EcoBoost engines are where it’s at for a punchy acceleration and a smooth, refined transmission pairing. A well-tuned suspension allows front-wheel drive models to handle well, while all-wheel drive models not only handle well, but can go up against a myriad of road conditions thanks to an advanced power distribution system. The brakes are solid and consistent, and while the steering has a bit of an unnatural feel, it has enough feedback to feel like you are in control.
Comfort and Interior
The Rogue offers some of the most comfortable seats in its class with its Zero Gravity front bucket seats. Cloth seats are standard, and leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and heated front seats are available. The base model has seating for five, and an available third row (a rarity for this class) bumps capacity up to seven. The third row is better left to the smallest of passengers, but second row seats are roomy and getting in and out is easy thanks to wide door openings.
The Rogue’s interior materials are well made. Plastic surfaces are soft to the touch and models appointed with leather trim have an upscale, genuine feel.
Cargo space in the Rogue is more generous than most of its rivals with 32 cubic feet with the second row up and 70 cubic feet with the seats folded down. It also features a unique configurable cargo area that offers useful storage for items of all sizes. Curious if a new Rogue might offer even more convenience and comfort features? See what our experts think in our 2023 Nissan Rogue Review.
The 2017 Escape features a practical but plastic-laden interior that is a little less spacious than the Rogue but with some clever cargo space. While it’s not the chicest design out there, the materials are quality and controls are thoughtfully placed. The seats are on the narrow side, and some might find them to be too firm, but a low profile makes entering and exiting the vehicle easy. A push-button parking brake frees up some prime console space for small item storage and there are several spots to stow both smaller and larger items.
Cargo in the in the Escape is also very accommodating. The 60/0-split folding rear seats go completely flat to allow for 68 cubic feet of cargo space, and an optional two-position load floor gives you the choice of either a flat floor or a maximum storage space. An enclosed cargo bin brings loading versatility and can hold 34 cubic feet of those random items begging to be contained.
Trims and Features
The 2017 Nissan Rogue is available in three trims. The base S trim comes standard with cloth upholstery, 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats that also slide and recline, third row seats, a cargo management system, a 5-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, a four-speaker audio system with a CD The SV trim is available as a hybrid, with keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel, third row seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The range-topping SL trim is also available as a hybrid and adds leather upholstery, driver seat memory functions, a heated steering wheel, a hands-free power liftgate, automatic high beams, 18-inch wheels, a universal garage door opener, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, navigation, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, a surround-view camera system, Nissan Connect emergency and convenience telematics, and Siri Eyes Free iPhone control. The SL trim is eligible for lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control with forward collision mitigation. We go more in depth on these and other safety features in our New Safety Tech Explained article.
The 2017 Ford Escape is available in three trims. The base S trim is geared toward fleet buyers and comes with automatic headlights, 17-inch steel wheels, LED taillights, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split folding and reclining rear seat, a rearview camera, a 4.2-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, smartphone integration, and a six-speaker audio system with a CD player and a USB port.
The SE trim adds upgraded cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver seat, a rear center armrest, fog lights, rear privacy glass, a keyless entry pad, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and satellite radio. There are also optional upgrades to the SE that include rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, heated front seats and mirrors, leather upholstery, power-adjustable passenger seat, and a hands-free power liftgate.
The top-of-the-line Titanium trim gets all the SE’s upgrades and adds a foot-activated power liftgate, driver-seat memory settings, keyless entry and ignition, a 10-speaker Sony audio system, ambient interior lighting, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Optional features include adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, lane departure warning and intervention, an automated parallel and perpendicular parking feature, a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and navigation.
Nissan Rogue vs Ford Escape Conclusions
With a more spacious and comfortable interior and better fuel economy, the Nissan Rogue gets our vote as a great buy for under $15K. While not the best performing powertrain in its class, we like that there is a hybrid option that will continue to pay off at the pump. And that optional third row can really come in handy giving the Rogue an edge in a super-competitive class of compact SUVs. So now the hunt is on, but not before you check out our Must Have Used Car Checklist to ensure you’re not only getting a budget ride, but a quality one at that.
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