Compare the2022 Jeep RenegadeVS 2021 Ford Escape FHEV

The Renegade has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Renegade and the Escape FHEV 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes and front and rear parking sensors.

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Jeep Renegade is safer than the Ford Escape FHEV:

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

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Renegade for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Escape FHEV.

The engine in the Renegade has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the Escape FHEV has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Jeep 3 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Both the Renegade and the Escape FHEV have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Renegades have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Renegade stops shorter than the Escape FHEV:

For better traction, the Renegade Latitude/Limited’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Escape FHEV (235/45R19 vs. 225/65R17).

The Renegade Latitude/Limited’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape FHEV Titanium’s 55 series tires.

The Renegade Trailhawk offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Escape FHEV; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Renegade’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Renegade Latitude 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the Escape FHEV SE AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Renegade Trailhawk 4x4’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Escape FHEV’s (35.3 feet vs. 37.2 feet). The Renegade’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Escape FHEV’s (36.3 feet vs. 37.2 feet).

The Jeep Renegade may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 400 pounds less than the Ford Escape FHEV.

The Renegade is 1 foot, 1.9 inches shorter than the Escape FHEV, making the Renegade easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Renegade has 1.1 inches more front headroom and 1.2 inches more rear headroom than the Escape FHEV.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Renegade. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Escape FHEV is limited to 1500 pounds. The Renegade 4x4 offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Renegade’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 FHEV’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Renegade Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Renegade’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Escape FHEV.

The Renegade (except Sport) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Renegade owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Renegade will cost $440 less than the Escape FHEV over a five-year period.

The Renegade will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Renegade will retain 49.82% to 54.1% of its original price after five years, while the Escape FHEV only retains 44.81% to 45.23%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Jeep Renegade will be $3070 to $3183 less than for the Ford Escape FHEV.