2017 Ford Escape vs 2017 Kia Sportage
Two compact SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2017 Ford
Escape
4/10
A cheap, practical crossover shell wrapped around an engine that's cracking its cylinder block from the factory — know exactly which engine you're getting before you sign anything.
VS
2017 Kia
Sportage
5/10
Cheap, well-equipped, and unglamorous — just make sure the engine has already been inspected or replaced before you sign anything.
Milo scores the 2017 Kia Sportage higher — 5/10 against 4/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Ford Escape |
Kia Sportage |
| Known failure points | 6 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 2658 | 398 |
| Safety recalls | 4 | 4 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 38 | 48 |
| Cheap to own | 30 | 55 |
| Fun factor | 45 | 38 |
| Holds value | 35 | 42 |
| Enthusiast cred | 15 | 15 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2017 Ford Escape
1.5L EcoBoost coolant intrusion into cylinders due to a porous/cracked cylinder bore, causing misfires and eventual engine failure
$6,000–$9,00020k–70k mi
2017 Kia Sportage
Theta II 2.4L GDI engine oil consumption / rod bearing wear leading to knocking or seizure
$0–$7,0000k–60k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2017 Ford Escape
2017 Escape Titanium AWD with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine (not the 1.5L) and full service records — the 2.0L is meaningfully more robust and the Titanium trim adds the nicer interior and adaptive cruise.
✅ 2017 Kia Sportage
A 2017 SX or SX Limited with the turbocharged 2.0L engine, AWD, and documented proof the Theta II/KSDS software campaigns and HECU brake recall were completed — this sidesteps the worst of the fire/engine-knock horror stories.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.