Discover How the Versatile Ford Escape SUV Compares to its Local Competition

At Schicker Ford of St. Louis, we know that our customers have a tremendous selection of compact SUVs to consider when they're shopping for their next vehicle. In fact, thanks to the segment's popularity, it can downright near impossible to wade through all of your options. Rather than spending countless hours researching various models online, and then your free time visiting various dealerships to examine them in person, take advantage of this handy comparison page we've put together. We've gone ahead and compared the Ford Escape compact SUV to three competitors:

• Honda CR-V
• Toyota RAV-4
• Subaru Forester

Read on to see the results!

Ford Escape vs Honda CR-V

Ford Escape Price vs. Honda CR-V Price

• The Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price for the base Ford Escape is lower than that of the base CR-V, so you're saving money at the very start of your ownership experience
• One thing that doesn't show up on the factory invoice is the fact that the Escape includes five years of 24-hour Roadside Assistance, while the CR-V only covers that for three years

Ford Escape Performance vs. Honda CR-V Performance

• The Ford Escape has an available 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the CR-V only offers a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine
• That engine size difference helps the Escape offer a maximum 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, while the CR-V maxes out at 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque
• The Escape comes with a six-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift, allowing you to choose between fully automatic shifting and semi-automatic, clutch-free shifting that you control; the CR-V uses a continuously variable transmission that doesn't offer you the chance to take command

Ford Escape Capability vs. Honda CR-V Capability

• While the two vehicles are nearly the same length, the Escape enjoys a wider stance that offers improved road stability
• The Escape is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds, far more than the CR-V and its maximum rating of 1,500 pounds

Ford Escape Features vs. Honda CR-V Features

• Both SUVs come with such standard safety features as auto-off headlights, wireless cell phone hookup, auxiliary audio input, power driver's mirror, power steering, and an MP3 player
• The base Escape includes standard features like energy-efficient HID headlights, a rear parking aid, and a premium audio system; to add those to the base CR-V, you'd better be prepared to pay even more money.

Ford Escape vs Toyota RAV-4

Ford Escape Price vs. Toyota RAV-4 Price

The base Ford Escape model has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price that's more than $500 less than the base RAV-4's MSRP

• Ford provides five years of 24-hour Roadside Assistance coverage with your Escape; after two years, you're on the hook for that expense with the RAV-4

Ford Escape Performance vs. Toyota RAV-4 Performance

• Both the Ford Escape and the Toyota RAV-4 have a base four-cylinder engine, but the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder in the Escape beats the 2.5-liter base engine found in the RAV-4 in both horsepower and pound-feet of torque measurements
• That power difference becomes even more noticeable when one looks at maximum performance, with the Escape offering an available 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that makes 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque and the RAV-4 topping out with a hybrid engine that produces 194 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque

Ford Escape vs. Toyota RAV-4 Capability

• The Ford Escape is wider than the RAV-4, and also has a longer wheelbase -- both of which lead to better stability on the road
• The Escape is rated to tow twice as much as the RAV-4, making it an ideal choice for weekend getaways

Ford Escape Features vs. Toyota RAV-4 Features

Both vehicles include such standard amenities as cruise control, auto-off headlights, power steering, power driver's seat, remote keyless entry and a tilt steering wheel

• The base Escape offers features that either aren't available for the RAV-4, or will cost more to add to the base model, such as dual-zone climate control, satellite radio, fog lamps, and an alarm

Ford Escape Safety vs. Toyota RAV-4 Safety

The Ford Escape earned a 5-Star Overall Front Crash Safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while the RAV-4 received a 4-Star rating in the same assessment

Ford Escape vs Subaru Forester

Ford Escape Pricing vs. Subaru Forester Pricing

• While the base model Escape does have a slightly higher MSRP than that of the Forester, that price difference is easily made up when you consider that the Escape is significantly less expensive to operate, maintain and repair
• The Escape also comes with five years of Roadside Assistance coverage, while the Forester only offers that service for three years

Ford Escape Performance vs. Subaru Forester Performance

• The base engine that propels the Ford Escape, a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, still makes more horsepower and pound-feet of torque than the Forester's larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder can manage
• At each SUV's top performance metric, the Escape delivers more pound-feet of torque than does the Forester
• The standard six-speed automatic transmission offered in the Ford Escape includes a SelectShift mode that allows you to command gear shifts; the Forester's standard transmission is a continuously variable automatic that takes care of that for you

Ford Escape Capability vs. Subaru Forester Capability

The Ford Escape enjoys a longer wheelbase than the Forester, leading to a smoother ride and more stable handling

• The Forester is rated for a maximum towing capability of only 1,500 pounds; the Ford Escape more than doubles that, with a max tow rating of 3,500 pounds

Ford Escape Features vs. Subaru Forester Features

The Escape comes with standard auto on/off headlights on all models, while the Forester only offers that as a standard feature on select higher-end trims

• The Escape has speed-sensitive intermittent wipers, while the Forester's intermittent wipers have to be adjusted manually
• Both SUVs have power windows with a child lock feature; however, the Escape allows the driver to still control all windows when the lock is engaged, while the Forester prevents anyone from commanding the windows
• The Ford Escape has a lower lift-over design than does the Forester, making it easier to load and unload

Ford Escape Safety vs. Subaru Forester Safety

• The Ford Escape performed better on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration front crash tests, earning a 5-Star Overall Front Crash Safety rating compared to the Forester's 4-Star rating