9 Reliable Cars That Are Cheaper Than A Ford Escape

The Ford Motor Company is strategically, as are many automakers, focusing on smaller vehicles to larger models, in an effort to increase its margins. This broad shift ends up raising costs for consumers, as reflected in the ever-growing cost of new vehicles. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) estimates that the average new car transaction price hit $49,220 in May 2026. That figure is up from $48,799 in May of last year, per Cox Automotive, KBB's parent company. Ford rolled out its final Ford Escape in 2025, marking the end of the budget-friendly nameplate and leaving buyers with fewer low-cost options within the marque's lineup.

Although there are plenty of pre-owned models that offer a considerable discount compared to the newest releases, some drivers are looking for the affordability offered by the Ford Escape with additional reliability. To ensure consumers are considering vehicles with real-world testing, instead of predictive metrics, it's crucial to scale back a few years. Most 2022 releases have had sufficient on-the-road experience under their belts to gain an accurate judgment of their dependability. For the 2022 Ford Escape, J.D. Power estimates consumers pay between $15,608 and $29,199, depending on the trim type. Already, these prices are nearly one-third of the 2026 average cost of brand-new vehicles.

For a comprehensive assessment of reliability, Money Digest created a hybrid score by looking at J.D. Power's Quality and Reliability rating and the Edmunds Value ranking. On the former, the 2022 Escape secured an 82, while the latter resulted in a 75. Together, these result in a composite reliability score of 78.5. The combination of an accessible price tag and solid dependability limits the options to cheaper yet still reliable models, but we managed to track down the best. Here are nine reliable cars that are cheaper than a Ford Escape.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer earned an 84 from J.D. Power and a 75 from Edmunds, combining for a hybrid reliability rating of 79.5. J.D. Power further highlights that this model tends to sell for anywhere between $15,528 and $23,692. The 2022 Trailblazer is a competent compact SUV, offering a spacious interior worthy of seating five adult passengers. It exhibits agreeable road manners and even has some off-pavement capability. However, you're not going to be zipping around on the highway at excessive speeds, as the standard engine performance falls short of some competitors.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is one of the SUVs that costs less to own than the relatively affordable Honda CR-V, making this SUV even more attractive to budget-conscious buyers. Within the initial five years of ownership, CarEdge suggests that the Trailblazer racks up a bill of $41,424. These costs are spread across depreciation, insurance, interest, fuel, and maintenance. For reference, this SUV's gradual loss of value accounts for the lion's share of these costs, reaching $15,192 over half a decade. CarEdge indicates that the Trailblazer loses about 53% through depreciation in five years. Insurance is a close second, costing $11,240 during the same period.

FuelEconomy.gov, the federal government's official database for vehicle fuel efficiency ratings, suggests the 2022 Trailblazer gets about 31 miles per gallon combined. For context, the average for 2026 models is 28. Assuming 15,000 annual miles and based on June 2026 gas prices, this model can save owners $1,000 over five years. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) granted the 2022 Trailblazer a Top Safety Pick+ classification, the independent vehicle testing agency's highest recognition. This Chevy model may be the most expensive of these models, but its dependability, affordability, fuel economy, and safety track record make it a solid choice.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sports a combined reliability rating of 81. This is derived from a J.D. Power Quality and Reliability score of 87 and an Edmunds Value ranking of 75. Typically, consumers pay around $15,070 to $22,831 for this release year, per J.D. Power, depending on the trim type. The 2022 Corolla is championed for its above-standard fuel efficiency, ergonomic controls, smooth behind-the-wheel experience, and variety of built-in safety features. Still, there's some pushback for the model's lackluster acceleration, noisy highway driving, and limited rear space. Overall, the Corolla has been heralded as one of the world's top-selling cars that also happens to be among the most reliable, underscoring the sedan's blend of dependability and affordability.

Within the first five years of driving the Corolla, owners tend to spend another $34,616 on various long-term costs, per CarEdge. A half-decade insurance cost of $13,265 actually comes in as the costliest variable, accounting for 38% of these expenses. Meanwhile, depreciation falls to second place, comprising $9,013 of these costs. Stunningly, the Corolla only sheds about 33% of its initial value after five years, as calculated by CarEdge, charting one of the best depreciation rates on this list.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla displays a laudable 33 miles per gallon combined, per FuelEconomy.gov. Over five years of driving, this model could cut down fuel costs by $1,500 for the typical driver when stacked up against the average new vehicle. The 2022 Corolla is another IIHS Top Safety Pick+ selection, denoting exceptional crashworthiness and safety standards. This sedan landed pristine marks across all crash tests, with the exception of the side test, which simulates a T-bone collision. Its front crash prevention systems performed well, although its headlights varied significantly based on the trim model.

Money Digest highlights the Hyundai Elantra as one of the most reliable used cars to buy for under $15,000. That appealing description rings true when looking at this popular sedan's average price tag and stellar dependability. With a 79 from J.D. Power and a remarkable 90 from Edmunds, the 2022 Elantra boasts a composite reliability score of 84.5, placing it far above that of the Ford Escape. J.D. Power further explains that this pre-owned model has a starting sales price of $14,528, although various trim upgrades can put the price at $20,462. The 2022 Elantra checks off all the boxes a consumer would expect from a mainstream sedan, including great fuel efficiency, roomy interior and cargo space, generous technical features, and a pleasant driving experience.

CarEdge reports that the Hyundai Elantra drives up a prolonged ownership fee of $36,043 across five years. In this case, insurance eats up over one-third of these expenses, totaling $12,385 in this time frame. Depreciation accounts for another $10,957. CarEdge further indicates that the Elantra loses only 40% of its initial price over half a decade, which shows a strong resistance to gradual loss of value.

The 2022 Elantra displays a stunning fuel economy of 37 miles per gallon combined, according to FuelEconomy.gov. Within five years, this far above-average gas mileage can result in net fuel savings of $2,500. Keep in mind this assumes 15,000 yearly miles and is based on June 2026 gas prices. The IIHS included the 2022 Elantra in its competitive Top Safety Pick classification, the group's second-highest rating. This sedan achieved perfect scores across all crash tests and received positive feedback on its front crash prevention systems. Its headlights vary dramatically based on the trim type chosen by consumers.

The 2022 Kia Forte shows a superb combined reliability score of 87.5. This hybrid rating comes from a J.D. Power Quality and Reliability ranking of 85 and an exceptional Edmunds' Value score of 90. According to J.D. Power, this release year tends to go for between $14,466 and $20,514, placing it a solid $1,000 below the cost of the 2022 Ford Escape. The sporty-looking Kia Forte is a sophisticated nameplate that punches far above its price class. Passengers may feel scrunched in the rear seat, but this sedan offers considerable real-world gas mileage, ergonomic tech features, modern design on the interior and exterior, and a powerful engine.

The Kia Forte enjoys comparatively moderate ownership costs, with CarEdge predicting the average owner will spend only $33,977 in the preliminary half decade of driving. Insurance coverage clocks in as the heaviest financial variable at $11,980, comprising 35% of these total costs. Depreciation, which is the gradual loss of value, reaches $9,437. Additionally, the Forte displays solid resistance to depreciation, only shedding 39% of its original price tag over five years of routine use, per CarEdge.

FuelEconomy.gov reports that the 2022 Kia Forte returns 33 miles per gallon. After driving this model for five years, assuming 15,000 annual miles and based on June 2026 fuel prices, this model can reduce gas costs by $1,500. The 2022 Kia Forte reveals a checkered crashworthiness and safety report from the IIHS. Although this sedan exhibited top-tier performance on many crash simulations, it came up short on the moderate overlap front and side tests. Also, the Forte's headlights fell below the industry benchmark in all trim types. However, the vehicle's front crash prevention systems were deemed generally positive.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra sees a hybrid dependability rating of 77, resulting from a 79 on the J.D. Power Quality and Reliability index and a 75 on the Edmunds Value metric. Per J.D. Power, this sedan usually sells for between $13,982 and $19,536, placing it solidly more affordable than the Ford Escape. Unsurprisingly, the Sentra has been highlighted as one of the cheapest and best Nissan cars available on the market. The Sentra offers a smooth ride, a well-designed interior, a modern-looking exterior, and overarching comfort. Sure, this sedan may lag behind more powerful models in terms of acceleration and raw output, but these conscious exclusions help to keep costs minimal compared to the broader sedan segment.

CarEdge reports that the Nissan Sentra drives up a five-year ownership bill of $32,875 across various categories, including maintenance, interest, fuel, insurance, and depreciation. The last two combined account for over 60% of this vehicle's prolonged costs. More specifically, insurance racks up $11,960 of expenditure, while depreciation takes another $8,471 from a driver's budget. The Nissan Sentra only loses around 35% of its initial value after half a decade, according to CarEdge.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra posts an above-average fuel efficiency of 33 miles per gallon combined, outpacing the standard 2026 fuel economy. According to FuelEconomy.gov, owners of this sedan can cut down their fuel expenses by $1,500 over half a decade. This presumes 15,000 miles per year and is calculated using gas costs as of June 2026. The IIHS included the 2022 Nissan Sentra in its Top Safety Pick classification. This popular sedan performed above the fray in all its crash simulations, with the exception of the moderate overlap front test. Furthermore, the nameplate's front crash prevention systems for vehicles and pedestrians did well. Yet, the front crash prevention system for pedestrians struggled at night.

The Hyundai Venue has been recognized as one of the cheapest car models and one of the best that money can buy, which is the perfect combination to make it competitive on this list of reliable models that are cheaper than the Ford Escape. J.D. Power graced the 2022 Venue with an 80 on its Quality and Reliability rating, while the Edmunds Value index judged this model to be an 85. Together, these solid scores give the 2022 Venue a composite reliability score of 82.5. If you're looking to purchase this nameplate, you can expect to spend between $13,500 and $19,480, according to J.D. Power. This may be the smallest SUV in the marque's extensive lineup, but the Venue generates significant appeal with its spacious-for-its-size interior, ergonomic control dash, and agreeable road manners.

During the initial five years of driving the Venue, owners tend to spend $32,434 on depreciation, insurance, interest, maintenance, and fuel. More than half of these modest ownership expenses are consumed by gradual value loss and insurance coverage. Depreciation costs about $10,210, and insurance tacks on $8,497, according to CarEdge. More specifically, CarEdge mentions that the Venue only loses about 36% of its initial sales price over half a decade.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, the 2022 model achieves a remarkable fuel economy of 31 miles per gallon combined, far surpassing the 2026 average of 28 miles per gallon. Cruising around in this nameplate can cut down fuel costs by $1,000 over five years. The IIHS included the 2022 Venue in its not-so-crowded Top Safety Pick classification. This compact SUV performed exceedingly well on all its crash test simulations, showing superior crashworthiness. Its front crash prevention systems for pedestrians and vehicles also performed well. The headlights vary quite a bit by trim, though.

The 2022 Nissan Kicks boasts a combined rating of 84, with an 88 from the J.D. Power Quality and Reliability index and an 80 from the Edmunds Value rating. As a reflection of this above-average dependability and affordability, Money Digest has highlighted the Kicks as one of the best Nissan cars for retirees. Perhaps more notable than its reliability is this nameplate's average price range of $13,079 to $19,490, per J.D. Power. The compact Kicks is a city-dweller's dream vehicle, with the small footprint befitting tight turns and seamless parking. The fuel economy is nothing to baulk at, either. Drivers may find the seats unpleasant, especially for longer hauls, although there's sufficient space for daily commutes.

Over the initial half decade of driving the Nissan Kicks, owners tend to spend a modest $34,814 across insurance, depreciation, fuel, interest, and maintenance, according to CarEdge. Insurance is the single largest cost at $11,320, making up 33% of total ownership expenses. Depreciation is another 27%, reaching $9,433. Impressively, this compact SUV only loses about 35% of its original sales price in five years of routine use, per CarEdge.

FuelEconomy.gov pegs the 2022 Kicks' fuel efficiency at a stellar 33 miles per gallon combined. Assuming 15,000 annual miles and using June 2026 gas prices, this fuel economy can save drivers $1,500 over five years when measured against the average new car. In a puzzling way, the 2022 Nissan Kicks didn't receive any official recognition from the IIHS despite remarkable results. This SUV earned perfect scores across the board on its crashworthiness results. Furthermore, this model comes standard with blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and rear automatic braking, further highlighting the Kick's robust safety features.

The 2022 Kia Rio exhibits a combined reliability score of 86.5, with a J.D. Power Quality and Reliability rating of 88 and an Edmunds Value ranking of 85. Additionally, J.D. Power reports that this model tends to sell for $11,830 to $13,438. Although this is the second most affordable model on this list of reliable cars that are cheaper than a Ford Escape, the 2022 Rio's total price range is the lowest displayed here. The stripped-down Kia Rio is a straightforward and non-nonsense compact sedan that masters the basics and avoids costly frills. You're giving up a bit of rear seat and cargo space for superb fuel economy, an uber-affordable price tag, and a comfortable behind-the-wheel experience.

CarEdge fails to maintain any ownership data unique to the Rio. However, the average Kia model costs $46,438 over five years, when including depreciation, interest, fuel, maintenance, and insurance, per CarEdge. However, it's more likely this compact sedan's costs trend more toward that of the Forte, which runs $33,977, due to the heavy similarity of these models.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, the 2022 Kia Rio gets about 36 miles per gallon combined, eclipsing even the 2026 average gas mileage. Presuming 15,000 yearly miles and based on June 2026 gas prices, this model can reduce a driver's gas bill by $2,250 over five years. This is especially good news if you live in one of the states with the absolute highest gas prices. The 2022 Kia Rio received great remarks from the IIHS, earning first-rate scores across its crashworthiness tests. Only the small overlap front passenger side simulation failed to get a perfect rating. Meanwhile, the Rio's headlights vary in performance from above to below par, based on the trim option.

The Hyundai Accent is the most affordable of these reliable cars that are cheaper than a Ford Escape. According to J.D. Power, this small sedan typically sells for between $11,285 and $16,023. On top of a budget-friendly price tag, the 2022 Accent features a world-class composite reliability score of 87.5. This nameplate earned a 90 on the J.D. Power Quality and Reliability index and an 85 on the Edmunds Value ranking. Beyond these high-level features, this compact four-door sedan has a load of attractive advantages. Drivers can easily look past a somewhat weak infotainment system and formless front seats with the Accent's fuel-saving gas mileage, generous interior, sporty performance, and noiseless highway ride.

CarEdge doesn't maintain ownership cost estimates specific to the Accent, but it's reasonable to assume this compact sedan's expenses don't overshadow the marque's baseline. To that end, CarEdge estimates that the typical Hyundai costs $47,373 over half a decade of routine driving. Keep in mind that this includes depreciation, insurance, maintenance, financing, and fuel costs. If you've ever wondered how quickly a car's value can depreciate after you buy it, this loss of residual value is routinely a vehicle's largest expense in the long run.

FuelEconomy.gov estimates that the 2022 Hyundai Accent gets about 36 miles per gallon combined, placing it far ahead of the typical 2026 model. Within half a decade of driving, owners can cut their fuel costs by $2,250 when stacked against the market benchmark. The 2022 Accent features another head-scratching disconnect between its lack of IIHS recognition and a virtually unblemished crashworthiness record. Only the sedan's small overlap front test on the passenger side fell beneath a pristine rating, although it remained above average. Notably, its headlights vary greatly in performance between different trim types. No front crash prevention system tests were performed.