23 MPG combined won’t top any charts, but for the 2015 Ford Escape Titanium 4WD, it’s an acceptable trade-off. Buyers choosing this model aren’t solely focused on saving gas. They want a compact SUV with a potent engine, all-weather driving, and plenty of features. For those who value quickness and feeling safe over maximizing every mile, the Escape Titanium 4WD works.

City and highway performance

The Escape Titanium 4WD’s EPA ratings are 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. The city number reflects typical stop-and-go traffic, where the 2.0L EcoBoost engine’s turbocharger works a lot, which uses more gas. The highway number is better. Driving at a constant speed lets the engine run more efficiently, using the smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission. Long road trips are doable, but you’ll still need to fill up often. The benefit is the strong acceleration for merging and passing with traffic. Many Escape Titanium 4WD owners are okay with that.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2015 Ford Escape Titanium 4WD at $2,283. This is based on driving 15,000 miles a year, mixed city and highway driving, and national average fuel prices when the EPA tested the car. Your own fuel costs will change depending on how you drive and local gas prices, but $2,283 gives you an idea of how much the Escape Titanium 4WD costs to run. Consider this when you think about buying this SUV.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a starting point, but actual MPG often varies. Hard acceleration, heavy loads, and running the air conditioning can lower fuel economy. If you mostly drive in the city with lots of accelerating and braking, expect that 23 MPG combined to be closer to the 20 MPG city rating. But if you mostly drive on the highway, using cruise control and avoiding hard acceleration, you might see numbers closer to or even a little above the 27 MPG rating. Owner forums for the Ford Escape show this difference.

How it compares

The 2015 Escape Titanium 4WD’s fuel economy is average for its class. A Mazda CX-5 with its 2.5L engine often gets a little better MPG, around 25-26 MPG combined, but it has less power than the Escape. The Honda CR-V, a popular choice, usually gets around 26 MPG combined with its 2.4L engine. A Jeep Cherokee with its 3.2L V6 will probably get closer to 21-22 MPG. When choosing between these models, decide if lower fuel costs, performance, or off-road ability is most important. To review all Ford fuel economy data, consult FuelEconomyHub.com. You can also review ESCAPE MPG across all years to see the Escape’s fuel economy over time.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The 2.0L EcoBoost engine is sensitive to how you drive. Don’t accelerate hard or brake hard. Driving smoothly and at a constant speed will give you the best gas mileage. Gently accelerate and let the turbocharger do its job, rather than pushing the gas pedal all the way down.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Tires with low air pressure increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and burn more fuel. Check your tire pressure often and inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI, which you can find on a sticker inside the driver’s side door.

Reduce extra weight. Take out anything you don’t need from your car, as extra weight lowers fuel economy. Regularly empty the trunk and back seats to remove any unnecessary items. More weight means more gas used.

Think about using cruise control on the highway. It helps keep a constant speed, which prevents the quick acceleration and slowing down that wastes gas. Pay attention to the road and traffic.

Regular maintenance is critical. Make sure your engine is properly tuned and that the air filter is clean. An engine that isn’t cared for is an inefficient engine. Follow Ford’s recommended maintenance schedule to keep your Escape Titanium 4WD running well.