Compare the2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In HybridVS 2021 Ford Escape PHEV

Both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Escape PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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 blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Escape PHEV’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Escape PHEV. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Escape PHEV ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Escape PHEV’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Escape PHEV.

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 Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 37 points higher than the Escape PHEV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 14th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 16 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape PHEV’s standard 60 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the Escape PHEV’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.2 feet).

The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 pounds less than the Ford Escape PHEV.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is 4.5 inches shorter than the Escape PHEV, making the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is 9.2 inches shorter in height than the Escape PHEV, making the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’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 PHEV’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Escape PHEV.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid will be $3266 to $4414 less than for the Ford Escape PHEV.