Ford Escape vs. the Competition

Compact crossover SUVs have exploded in popularity for a wide variety of reasons. For those with growing families or drivers living active lifestyles, these vehicles offer an unrivaled combination of versatility, capability, and value that other classes of vehicles simply cannot match. If you’re searching for a compact crossover, it’s only natural that the Ford Escape has caught your eye. To demonstrate how the Escape continues to set the benchmark for the segment, Germain Ford of Beavercreek has assembled this in-depth comparison. We’ll take a closer look at how the Escape measures up against some of its top rivals including the Nissan Rogue, Chevrolet Equinox, and the Honda CR-V.

Ford Escape vs Nissan Rogue

In our first comparison, the Ford Escape goes up against the Nissan Rogue. Comparing base trim levels, the two are nearly identically priced. Perfect for young drivers just hitting the road, Ford MyKey technology lets you set boundaries, speed limits, and audio restrictions to help encourage safe driving habits. An extra cubic foot of rear cargo space means you’ll have more room for your gear inside the Ford Escape as well.

A standard 8-speed automatic transmission offers superior response and durability compared to the questionable CVT included as standard on the Rogue. Helping to ensure that you always enter a vehicle that’s at a comfortable temperature, the Escape comes standard with remote start functionality through FordPass Connect. When it comes to rear-seat comfort, the clear choice is also the Escape which offers greater rear legroom and headroom compared to the smaller Nissan Rogue. Lastly, you’ll enjoy greater peace of mind when you drive a Ford Escape thanks to 5 years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance coverage. That’s a full 2 years or 24,000 miles longer than what Nissan includes with the Rogue.

Ford Escape vs Chevrolet Equinox

The second challenger to go up against the Ford Escape is the Chevrolet Equinox. Once again, the advanced engineering of the Ford Escape allows it to outperform the Equinox in terms of both power and efficiency. Across all three categories of fuel economy measurements, the Escape is the better option compared to the Equinox. Its more sophisticated 8-speed automatic helps deliver greater response and fuel economy. It’s also more powerful, offering a 6-horsepower advantage over the slower and thirstier Chevrolet Equinox.

There’s also a far greater range of premium standard features that you’ll receive when you drive a Ford Escape instead of a Chevrolet Equinox. LED brake lights help alert drivers of your intentions, keeping you safe on the road. Standard SYNC inside the Escape includes voice-activated audio controls which help keep your attention on what’s ahead while adding convenience. Similarly, standard FordPass Connect lets you connect your smartphone to your vehicle and includes a remote-start function. Standard over-the-air software updates ensure that you’ll always enjoy the latest infotainment experience inside the Escape. All of these exceptional features are not available or require a more expensive trim level on the Chevrolet Equinox.

In terms of space, the Escape also continues to shine. Drivers and front passengers will appreciate the greater amount of legroom in the front row of seats, making it the better choice for extended road trips. Speaking of road trips, the Escape also has a higher maximum cargo capacity compared to the Equinox. Extra room means more space to bring along that extra suitcase or gear for your next adventure.

Ford Escape vs Honda CR-V

Last but certainly not least, the Ford Escape goes up against the Honda CR-V. While we’ve compared base trims in the two prior matchups, the CR-V starts at a much higher price than the Escape, so we’ve chosen the well-equipped Escape ST-Line Select and the base CR-V EX with AWD for something closer to an equivalent matchup.

The Escape has significantly more horsepower and torque than the CR-V along with a more advanced 8-speed automatic transmission for more responsive acceleration. Every Escape comes standard with a class-exclusive SecuriCode keypad which allows you to lock and unlock your doors without having to use a key. Other advantages of the Escape ST-Line Select include a standard emergency alert included with the SYNC 4 Assistant and your mobile device along with the standard rear Reverse Sensing System.

Great for those chilly winter mornings, the Escape ST-Line Select comes standard with a heated steering wheel to keep your hands warm. When it comes to comfort and interior space in the front row of seats, the obvious choice is the Ford Escape. It offers greater front headroom and legroom than the Honda CR-V. Finally, Ford’s roadside assistance coverage of 5 years or 60,000 miles is far more than the 3 years or 36,000 miles included on the Honda CR-V.