Compare the2023 Ford Escape PHEVVS 2023 Toyota bZ4X

Both the Escape PHEV and the bZ4X 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 around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Escape PHEV the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 175 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The bZ4X has not been tested, yet.

There are over 2 times as many Ford dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape PHEV’s warranty.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

The Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 20 more horsepower (221 vs. 201) than the bZ4X’s standard electric motor. The Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 7 more horsepower (221 vs. 214) than the bZ4X’s optional electric motors.

The Escape PHEV’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 514 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The bZ4X’s range is only 222 to 252 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 30 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 50 hours.

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 bZ4X; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Escape PHEV’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the bZ4X’s (37.2 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Ford Escape PHEV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Toyota bZ4X.

The Escape PHEV is 4.1 inches shorter than the bZ4X, making the Escape PHEV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Escape PHEV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The bZ4X doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Escape PHEV has 7.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the bZ4X (102.2 vs. 94.4).

The Escape PHEV has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom and 8.5 inches more rear hip room than the bZ4X.

The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the bZ4X with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 27.7 cubic feet). The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the bZ4X with its rear seat folded (60.8 vs. 56.9 cubic feet).

The Escape PHEV’s cargo area is larger than the bZ4X’s in almost every dimension:

The Escape PHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The bZ4X has no towing capacity.

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 bZ4X can’t be towed flat on the ground.

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 bZ4X 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 bZ4X 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 bZ4X doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape PHEV’s available exterior PIN entry system. The bZ4X doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Safety Connect™ can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Escape PHEV has a standard rear wiper. The bZ4X doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 bZ4X.

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 bZ4X doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

The Ford Escape outsold the Toyota bZ4X by almost 113 to one during 2022.