2016 Ford Escape MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2016 Ford Escape is rated 23 to 26 mpg combined across 5 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2016 Ford Escape · 5 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

26MPG combined

23 city 31 highway

$2,400 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score6/10

1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $1,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,400 to $2,700 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2015.

Fewer complaints than a typical Escape year

The 2016 drew 141 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 178 for a typical Escape year (165 for a typical year since 2016).

Years to avoid: 2011 and 2013; best years: 2018, 2019, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Escape year ranked The 2016 Escape's recalls and problems

Every 2016 Escape version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Escape FWD	26 mpg	23 / 31	$2,400
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Escape AWD	25 mpg	22 / 29	$2,500
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Escape FWD	25 mpg	22 / 30	$2,500
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Escape FWD	24 mpg	21 / 29	$2,600
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Escape AWD	23 mpg	21 / 28	$2,700

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,308	$192	$11,538
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,400	$200	$12,000
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,400	$200	$12,000
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,500	$208	$12,500
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,609	$217	$13,043

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Ford Escape MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 24 to 30 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); 30 since 2020. Hybrid: 32 to 41 mpg (2010 to 2012, 2020 to 2026); highest in 2020.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2016: gas 26 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Ford Escape best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	24	32
2011	25	32
2012	25	32
2013	26	–
2014	26	–
2015	26	–
2016	26	–
2017	26	–
2018	26	–
2019	26	–
2020	30	41
2021	30	41
2022	30	41
2023	30	39
2024	30	39
2025	30	39
2026	30	39

Every Escape year's ratings in one table

How the 2016 Escape compares

2016 compact SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2016 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota RAV4 Best: hybrid	32 mpg	26 mpg	$1,950
Honda CR-V Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Mazda CX-5 Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Outback Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Forester Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Ford Escape This page Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Kia Sportage Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$3,350

2016 Escape recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 1,193 owner complaints for the 2016 Escape.

Owners most often describe backup camera problems (180 complaints, 15%), then transmission failure (160). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2016 Escape recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2016 Ford Escape's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 1.6L turbo 4-cyl gets 26 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 25 with AWD.

Does the 2016 Ford Escape need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2016 Ford Escape version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2016 Escape's MPG compare with the 2015?

For 2016, the best gas version is rated 26 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.