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

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid AWD’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the Escape PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Escape PHEV is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck 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 Tucson 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 Tucson 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 Tucson 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 40 points higher than the Escape PHEV.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid second among compact SUVs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Escape PHEV isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 61 more horsepower (261 vs. 200) than the Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

For better traction, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has larger tires than the Escape PHEV (235/55R19 vs. 225/60R18).

The Tucson 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 ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the Escape PHEV.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Escape PHEV (108.5 inches vs. 106.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Escape PHEV.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 4.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Escape PHEV (108.2 vs. 104).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has .1 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear hip room than the Escape PHEV.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Escape PHEV’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Escape PHEV with its rear seat folded (66.3 vs. 60.8 cubic feet).

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

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Escape PHEV’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Escape PHEV’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Escape PHEV’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

The Tucson 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.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Escape PHEV. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Escape PHEV.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.