Compare the2022 Honda CR-VVS 2021 Ford Escape

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Escape’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the CR-V and the Escape have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems 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 Honda CR-V is safer than the Ford Escape:

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, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Ford Escape:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CR-V’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Escape’s camshafts. If the Escape’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CR-V’s reliability 63 points higher than the Escape.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 17 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The CR-V’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (190 vs. 181) than the Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda CR-V is faster than the Ford Escape turbo 3 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V gets better mileage than the Escape:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda CR-V uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Escape with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The CR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Escape doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the CR-V has larger tires than the Escape (235/65R17 vs. 225/65R17).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Escape.

The CR-V Touring handles at .85 G’s, while the Escape SE AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Escape SE (27.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Escape (8.2 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the CR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CR-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Escape doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The CR-V has .1 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more front shoulder room than the Escape.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CR-V’s rear seats recline. The Escape’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Escape with its rear seat up (39.2 vs. 37.5 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Escape with its rear seat folded (75.8 vs. 65.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CR-V easier. The CR-V’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the Escape’s liftover is 28.1 inches.

The CR-V’s cargo area is larger than the Escape’s in almost every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CR-V’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Escape doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V. The Escape doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The CR-V’s standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Escape’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

If the windows are left open on the CR-V the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Escape can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CR-V has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Escape doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CR-V’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Escape’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

The CR-V has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Escape S doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The CR-V’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Escape S doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the CR-V has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Escape S doesn’t offer rear vents.

Insurance will cost less for the CR-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CR-V will cost $220 less than the Escape over a five-year period.

The CR-V will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the CR-V will retain 51.86% to 55.49% of its original price after five years, while the Escape only retains 45.76% to 46.58%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CR-V is less expensive to operate than the Escape because it costs $255 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CR-V than the Escape, including $50 less for a water pump, $1252 less for a muffler, $40 less for front brake pads, $668 less for a timing belt/chain and $161 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda CR-V will be $2470 to $5969 less than for the Ford Escape.

The Honda CR-V has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 20 years. The Escape has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The Escape has never been chosen.