Ford Escape vs Toyota RAV4

The Ford Escape and the Toyota RAV4 are two of the longest-standing models in the compact SUV market. These names have been around for many years and each has a loyal following. In fact, plenty of owners are on their second edition of an Escape or RAV4 because they liked the first one so much.

If you are trying to decide between these two, we’d like to help you make that tricky choice. Use the points included in the article below to sort out the differences and determine which one will be the right fit for your budget and your priority list. Of course, the team here at Five Star Ford Stone Mountain is always available and ready to help, so turn to us if you need assistance.

Look Toward the Escape for More Options

Most buyers in the automotive market like to have options. After all, it’s not often that you spend this much money, so you want to be able to get exactly what you need to make the vehicle work for you. On that front, the Escape is going to impress right off the bat with four different engines available – compared to just two for the RAV4.

In the Escape, you can start at the base level engine, which is a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo, and go up from there. The other options are a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and two hybrids – a traditional hybrid and a plug-in model. These various engines range from 181 horsepower up to 280, and you can tap into outstanding fuel economy by opting for one of the hybrids.

While the RAV4 only has two engines available, it should be said that they are both strong options. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 203 horsepower and strong fuel economy numbers. Alternatively, you could go with the hybrid engine option, which takes fuel efficiency even higher and ups the horsepower to 219.

Cost is a Toss-Up

You won’t make up your mind in this debate based on the cost of the vehicles, as they are virtually dead even. There is very little separating the two at any of the trim levels, so you’ll be paying pretty much the same price whether you order a base model or a higher-end trim.

Consider Your Comfort

For many people, their vehicle is a place where they spend a lot of time – perhaps multiple hours each day. Given how much this vehicle may be used, it’s important to focus on comfort as one of your major deciding factors. On that front, the Escape pulls quickly ahead of the RAV4.

Not only are the Escape seats more cushioned than what the Toyota offers, there is simply more room all around the cabin. Taller people in particular will appreciate how much more space there is available to stretch out their legs. If you will have older kids or adults riding in the back seats of your new compact SUV from time to time, do them a favor and opt for the Escape as your vehicle of choice.

The Safety Element

On the topic of safety, we should say from the start that both of these vehicles do quite well in safety testing. Each has been given a five-star rating by the NHTSA, which is a strong indication that the manufacturers take safety seriously and have put plenty of thought into the design and materials used. However, the Escape also was granted a Top Safety Pick award for its performance in the testing process. No matter which way you go, you will benefit from the safety equipment built into the systems that run these vehicles.

Enjoy Great Flexibility

There is just so much you can do with a compact SUV. They make great commuter vehicles thanks to their comfort and gas mileage, and they are small enough to get into tight parking spots. At the same time, a compact SUV is a great road trip partner, especially if you are traveling with just one other person and can fold down the back seat for more cargo space.

While the RAV4 and Escape have both earned their place in this market, it’s the Escape that brings more to the table. Look through our inventory to see what is available and reach out directly when you are ready to get started. Thanks for stopping by our site!