2002 Ford Escape: 7 of 15 decision facts sourced. Missing: Starting MSRP, Engine, Horsepower, Torque, Basic warranty, Powertrain warranty, Seating, Cargo volume.
2026 Ford Escape SEL: 9 of 15 decision facts sourced.
| 2002 Ford Escape | 2026 Ford Escape SEL | |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive fueleconomy.gov | All-Wheel Drive fueleconomy.gov |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd fueleconomy.gov | Automatic 8-spd fueleconomy.gov |
| Combined MPG | 18 mpg fueleconomy.gov | 26 mpg fueleconomy.gov |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,700 fueleconomy.gov | $2,600 fueleconomy.gov |
| NHTSA overall | Not rated by NHTSA nhtsa.gov | 5 stars nhtsa.gov |
| Recalls (model year) | 10 nhtsa.gov | 2 nhtsa.gov |
| Owner complaints (NHTSA) | 1079 nhtsa.gov | 3 nhtsa.gov |
| Basic warranty | Not yet sourced | 3 years/36,000 miles ford.com |
| Powertrain warranty | Not yet sourced | 5 years/60,000 miles ford.com |
Recall and complaint counts come from NHTSA — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov.
Not yet sourced — 2002 Ford Escape: Starting MSRP, Engine, Horsepower, Torque, Basic warranty, Powertrain warranty, Seating, Cargo volume. 2026 Ford Escape SEL: Starting MSRP, Engine, Horsepower, Torque, Seating, Cargo volume. No manufacturer, official or retailer source we read publishes these yet; we don't estimate them.
Verdict: On the figures both makers publish, the Escape SEL leads with better fuel economy (26 mpg vs 18 mpg), lower annual fuel cost ($2,600 vs $3,700) and fewer recalls (2 vs 10). The Escape SEL carries a 5-star NHTSA overall rating; the Ford Escape is not rated. Only the Escape SEL publishes basic warranty (3 yr / 36,000 mi); the Ford Escape does not. Neither publishes starting MSRP, engine, horsepower, torque and 2 more decision fields yet.
Provisional pick: 2026 Ford Escape SEL — not enough sourced decision facts for 2002 Ford Escape. We don't rank on specs we can't verify.
2002 Ford Escape: AutoTrader · Cars.com · CarGurus · eBay Motors
2026 Ford Escape SEL: AutoTrader · Cars.com · CarGurus · eBay Motors
| 2002 Ford Escape | 2026 Ford Escape SEL | |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd | Automatic 8-spd |
| Drivetrain | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Displacement | 3.0 L | 2.0 L |
| Cylinders | 6 | 4 |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline | Regular Gasoline |
| City MPG | 16 mpg | 23 mpg |
Provisional pick: 2026 Ford Escape SEL — not enough sourced decision facts for 2002 Ford Escape.
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