Compare the2023 Ford Escape FHEVVS 2023 Lexus UX

The Escape FHEV 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 FHEV and UX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Escape FHEV 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 FHEV 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 FHEV 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 FHEV 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 FHEV’s warranty.

The Escape FHEV 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 FHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 19 more horsepower (200 vs. 181) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Ford Escape FHEV is faster than the Lexus UX:

The Escape FHEV has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (14.3 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Escape FHEV 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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Escape FHEV higher (8 out of 10) than the Lexus UX (7). This means the Escape FHEV produces up to 5.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the UX every 15,000 miles.

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

The Escape FHEV stops shorter than the UX:

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

The Escape FHEV 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 FHEV’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 FHEV is 1.4 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than on the UX.

The front grille of the Escape FHEV 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 FHEV has 11.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (102.2 vs. 90.4).

The Escape FHEV 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, 5.8 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The Escape FHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (34.4 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

The Escape FHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

The Escape FHEV can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escape FHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. The UX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape FHEV 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 FHEV and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Escape FHEV 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 FHEV’s available exterior PIN entry system. The UX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape FHEV’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 FHEV 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 FHEV owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escape FHEV will cost $190 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 FHEV will be $3445 to $3567 less than for the Lexus UX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Escape FHEV and the Lexus UX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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