Compare the2023 Subaru SolterraVS 2022 Ford Escape PHEV

The Subaru Solterra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Solterra 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 Solterra’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

The Solterra Limited/Touring has a standard 360-degree Surround-View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Escape PHEV only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Solterra and the Escape PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Subaru Solterra weighs 495 to 635 pounds more than the Ford Escape PHEV. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 14 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Solterra can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 222 to 228 miles. The Escape PHEV has to start its internal combustion engine after only 37 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Solterra higher (10 out of 10) than the Ford Escape PHEV (7). This means the Solterra produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Escape PHEV every 15,000 miles.

The Solterra’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Escape PHEV are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Solterra has larger tires than the Escape PHEV (235/60R18 vs. 225/60R18).

The Solterra Limited/Touring’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape PHEV’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Solterra Limited/Touring has standard 20-inch wheels. The Escape PHEV’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Solterra’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Escape PHEV (112.2 inches vs. 106.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Solterra is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Escape PHEV.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The Escape PHEV’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Solterra’s front and rear power windows all 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.

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

The Solterra’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.

When the Solterra Limited/Touring is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Escape PHEV’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Solterra has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Escape PHEV. The Solterra Limited/Touring 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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Solterra Touring 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.