The Escape Titanium offers optional Active Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn't react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Encore has a collision warning system without the crash-mitigating brake feature that could reduce stopping distances.
The Escape Titanium's optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Encore doesn't offer a driver alert monitor.
Both the Escape and the Encore have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, front and rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Escape is safer than the Buick Encore:
|
Escape |
Encore |
|
Driver |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
233/311 lbs. |
363/313 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Escape is safer than the Buick Encore:
|
Escape |
Encore |
|
Front Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Chest Movement |
.4 inches |
.7 inches |
Abdominal Force |
96 G's |
120 G's |
Hip Force |
351 lbs. |
388 lbs. |
|
Rear Seat |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Hip Force |
649 lbs. |
672 lbs. |
|
Into Pole |
|
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
HIC |
357 |
382 |
Spine Acceleration |
44 G's |
46 G's |
Hip Force |
707 lbs. |
707 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.