Compare the2023 Ford EscapeVS 2023 Lexus UX

The Escape (except Base) offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX 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 Escape and UX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Escape (except Base) offers optional Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The UX’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Escape and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Escape is safer than the Lexus UX:

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Escape is safer than the Lexus UX:

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

There are over 12 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape’s warranty.

The Escape has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The UX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 69 more horsepower (250 vs. 181) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Escape turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Lexus UX:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escape 1.5 Turbo’s fuel efficiency. The UX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

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

The Escape FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (14.8 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escape AWD’s standard fuel tank has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (15.7 vs. 10.6 gallons).

The Escape has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The UX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Escape’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

The Escape stops shorter than the UX:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape offers optional 19-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Escape has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the UX (106.7 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escape is 1.4 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than on the UX.

The Escape AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the UX 250h F Sport Handling AWD (27.7 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The front grille of the Escape uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The UX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Escape has 13.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (104 vs. 90.4).

The Escape has 2.7 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear headroom, 7.6 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (37.5 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

The Escape has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The UX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the Escape and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Escape is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Escape Base). The UX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Escape Elite/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The UX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Escape owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escape will cost $135 to $1685 less than the UX over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Escape will be $848 to $4360 less than for the Lexus UX.

The Ford Escape outsold the Lexus UX by over 13 to one during 2022.