Compare the2026 Nissan LeafVS 2026 Ford Escape PHEV

The Nissan Leaf has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Leaf and the Escape PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Leaf for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Nissan will pay for tire rotations, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Escape PHEV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 13th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 1 place higher in reliability than Ford.

The Leaf +’s standard electric motor produces 4 more horsepower (214 vs. 210) than the Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Leaf + is faster than the Ford Escape PHEV:

On the EPA test cycle the Leaf gets better mileage than the Escape PHEV running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the Leaf gets better mileage than the Escape PHEV running its gasoline engine:

The Leaf can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 259 to 303 miles. The Escape PHEV has to start its internal combustion engine after only 37 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Leaf higher (10 out of 10) than the Ford Escape PHEV (7). This means the Leaf produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Escape PHEV every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Leaf’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Escape PHEV:

The Leaf’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Escape PHEV are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Leaf Platinum+’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Escape PHEV (235/45R19 vs. 225/60R18).

The Leaf’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape PHEV’s standard 60 series tires. The Leaf Platinum+’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Escape PHEV’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Leaf Platinum+ has standard 19-inch wheels. The Escape PHEV’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Leaf has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Leaf Platinum+ handles at .83 G’s, while the Escape PHEV pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Leaf’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Escape PHEV’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.2 feet).

The Leaf is 6.7 inches shorter than the Escape PHEV, making the Leaf easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Leaf’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

On a hot day the Leaf’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Escape PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

When the Leaf Platinum+ is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Escape PHEV’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Leaf and the Escape PHEV offer available heated front seats. The Leaf Platinum+ also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Escape PHEV.

The Nissan Leaf has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located for the driver. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Ford charges extra for Homelink® on the Escape PHEV.

The Leaf Platinum+ has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.