2025 Ford Escape vs the Competition

This year marks the 25th year for Equinox, and it is in its fourth design generation. Like most compact crossovers, it is available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), but no hybrid version exists. Its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine has the same 1.5-liter displacement as the Escape. Unless specified, we will compare the Equinox to the non-hybrid Escape.  

• The non-electrified Escape trades power advantages with the 180 hp Escape 180 hp exceeding the 175 hp Equinox, while the Escape’s torque is just under the Equinox’s 203 lb-ft. 

• The FWD Equinox has a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the Escape uses a more user-friendly 8-speed transmission.  

• Comparing AWD models, Escape’s transmission has two more gear ratios than the 6-speed transmission of the Equinox. 

• The Escape has more interior room. (137.5 cubic feet vs. 134.1) 

• The Escape’s 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats is notably greater than the Equinox’s 29.8. 

• The Escape also has more maximum cargo space (65.4 vs 63.5 cubic feet). 

• The Escape has more front and rear legroom. 

• The Escape has greater fuel mileage, with FWD models having 27 city and 34 highway compared to 26 / 28 for the Equinox. For AWD models, the Escape is rated at 26 city and 32 highway vs. 26 / 28 for the AWD Equinox. Of course, the Escape Hybrid beats them all, with 42 city and 36 highway for both FWD and AWD models.  

• The Escape comes standard with dual automatic climate control, which is optional on the comparably-priced base Equinox. 

• The Escape’s driver knee airbag is not available on the Equinox 

• The Escape has an available Bang & Olufsen audio system, while the Equinox has no such premium audio. 

After being sold in Japan for a couple of years, the Honda CR-V entered the US market in February 1997. It is now in its sixth design generation. The CR-V surpassed the Accord as the best-selling Honda model, and it is available with both conventional and hybrid drivetrains.  

• Honda offers no plug-in hybrid CR-V. 

• The non-hybrid Escape and CR-V trade power advantages. The CR-V’s turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 generates 190 hp compared to the Escape’s 180. However, the CR-V only achieves 179 lb-ft of peak torque, while the Escape reaches 199 lb-ft. 

• Both non-electrified Escape and CR-V get 27 city and 34 highway mpg. 

• The Escape hybrid with AWD has superior fuel efficiency with 42 city and 36 highway compared to 40/34 for the CR-V hybrid AWD. 

• The CR-V has a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the Escape uses a more user-friendly 8-speed transmission.  

• The Escape beats the CR-V in maximum towing capacity, with 2,000 pounds vs. 1,500 pounds and 1,500 vs. 1,000 for hybrid models. 

• The non-hybrid Escape has a lower starting MSRP of $28,150 vs. $29,500 

• The Escape Hybrid has a lower starting MSRP of $32,490 vs. $34,650. 
• The Escape offers roadside assistance for 5 years or 60,000 miles. The CR-V does not offer roadside assistance. 

In 1994, Toyota introduced the RAV4 from a platform derived from the Corolla and thus created the compact crossover category to which all the models in this comparison belong. Today, the RAV4 is well into its fifth design generation and has since upgraded to a version of the Camry platform. It is the best-selling model in the category and the best-selling Toyota model. Like the Escape, the RAV4 is available with a conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.  

• The non-hybrid RAV4 is powered by a 2.5-liter normally aspirated (non-turbo or supercharged) inline-4, producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of peak torque at 5000 rpm, which is more horsepower but less torque than the non-hybrid Escape. Both models feature an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

• The Escape offers more passenger volume (104.0 vs. 98.9 cubic feet), but both provide 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up. 

• The Ford Escape offers more front legroom (42.4“ vs. 41.0) and noticeably more rear legroom (40.7” vs. 37.8). 

• Tall drivers or front passengers may appreciate the Equinox’s more than two inches of extra headroom in the front. Rear headroom is within a fraction of an inch. 

• Both model lines start with an 8-inch touchscreen, though a 13.2-inch touchscreen is available on the base Escape, which is larger than the 10.5-inch screen available on upper RAV trim levels.  

• The fuel mileage on non-hybrid models is close: 27 city and 34 highway for the FWD Escape and 27 / 35 for the FWD RAV4. 

• The Escape Hybrid is offered both FWD and AWD. The RAV4 Hybrid is AWD only. 

• The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is rated at 42 miles compared to 38 for the Escape Plug-in Hybrid. However, after the EV mileage is surpassed, the Escape’s 40 combined mpg exceeds the RAV4’s 38 combined mpg. 
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated both 2025 models five stars overall. However, the Equinox scored five stars in the frontal impact tests, while the RAV4 achieved four stars.  
• The Escape has a lower entry price of $29,515 vs $29,550 for the RAV4. 

The Hyundai Tucson was introduced in 2004 as a smaller alternative to the Santa Fe, which was moving to mid-size status. Its platform is derived from the Elantra and shares all of its mechanicals, though none of its styling, with the Kia Sportage. The 2025 model is the fourth-generation Tucson, which debuted in the 2022 model year. It is based on a smaller version of the platform under the Santa Fe. Like the Escape, the Tucson is offered in conventional, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. 

• The non-hybrid Tucson is powered by a normally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-4 engine, which produces seven more horsepower than the Escape (187 vs 180) but 21 fewer foot-pounds of torque (178 vs 199). Both models use an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

• The non-hybrid Escape gets better gas mileage, with an EPA-estimated city/highway mpg of 27/34 vs. 25/33 for the Tucson. 

• The Hybrid Escape’s EPA-estimated city/highway fuel mileage of 42/36 is better than that of most Tucson hybrids, which have a rating of 35/35. The Tucson Hybrid Blue gets 38/38. 

• The Escape hybrid is available in both FWD and AWD, while the Tucson Hybrid is FWD only. 

• Both models have generous rear legroom, though the Tucson has a little more. (40.7 vs 41.3). The Escape has a little more front legroom (42.4 vs. 41.4). All other interior specs are within an inch of each other. 

• The Escape has standard climate control vents for rear passengers. This is not standard in Tucson. 

• The NHTSA has rated the Ford Escape as a 5-star overall. The Tucson has not yet been fully tested. 

• The Escape Plug-in Hybrid has an estimated 37 miles of EV-only operation compared to 32 miles for the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid.  

• Once past the EV-only mileage, the Escape Plug-in Hybrid has an estimated 40 combined mpg compared to 35 for the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

The Nissan Rogue debuted in 2008 and is now in its third design generation. It is currently the best-selling Nissan model. Its size is very similar to that of the Escape, and it is the only other model in the category to feature a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-3 engine.

• The Rogue offers no hybrid or plug-in hybrid models.
• All Rogues feature a continuously variable transmission, whereas non-hybrid Escapes offer a more conventionally behaving 8-speed automatic.
• The Rogue drivetrain is considerably complex, with variable transmission, valve timing, and compression. These three variable components can interfere with predictable acceleration.
• The Ford Escape offers more front legroom (42.4“ vs 41.5) and noticeably more rear legroom (40.7” vs. 38.5).
• The Escape beats the Rogue in maximum towing capacity with 2,000 vs 1,500 pounds.