Compare the2023 Ford Escape PHEVVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape PHEV have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Escape PHEV has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Escape PHEV offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Crosstrek Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Escape PHEV and the Crosstrek Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and driver alert monitors.

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

	Escape PHEV	Crosstrek Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	36%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	304 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	42 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	252/363 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	122
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36.3%	44.6%
Neck Stress	181 lbs.	195 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	230/427 lbs.

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 PHEV is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid:

	Escape PHEV	Crosstrek Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	191 lbs.	196 lbs.
Hip Force	240 lbs.	346 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	303
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	58 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	49 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	824 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are almost 5 times as many Ford dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape PHEV’s warranty.

Reliability

The Escape PHEV 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 Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

Engine

The Escape PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 73 more horsepower (221 vs. 148) than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escape PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Crosstrek Hybrid running on electricity (117 city/93 hwy vs. 99 city/80 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Escape PHEV running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Crosstrek Hybrid running its gasoline engine (43 city/38 hwy vs. 36 city/35 hwy).

The Escape PHEV can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 37 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 17 miles.

The Escape PHEV 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 Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Escape PHEV higher (7 out of 10) than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (6 to 7). This means the Escape PHEV produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Crosstrek Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Escape PHEV	Crosstrek Hybrid
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	11.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

The Escape PHEV 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 Crosstrek Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Escape PHEV has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape PHEV’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Crosstrek Hybrid (106.7 inches vs. 104.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Escape PHEV is 1.4 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than on the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Passenger Space

The Escape PHEV has .2 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 15.9 cubic feet). The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat folded (60.8 vs. 43.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Escape PHEV easier. The Escape PHEV’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the Crosstrek Hybrid’s liftover is 30.7 inches.

The Escape PHEV’s cargo area is larger than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s in almost every dimension:

	Escape PHEV	Crosstrek Hybrid
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.7”/68.3”	28.9”/63.1”
Max Width	57.3”	53”
Min Width	41.4”	43”
Height	32.8”	30”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Escape PHEV has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Escape PHEV’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

The Escape PHEV 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 PHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Crosstrek Hybrid can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape PHEV 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 Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Escape PHEV, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Escape PHEV’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Escape PHEV offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Escape PHEV’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek Hybrid has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Escape PHEV’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 Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Escape PHEV’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 Crosstrek Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Escape PHEV’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

The Escape PHEV has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Crosstrek Hybrid.

The Escape PHEV’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Escape PHEV and the Crosstrek Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Escape PHEV has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Escape PHEV offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Escape PHEV’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 Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Escape PHEV and the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.