Compare the2023 Jeep RenegadeVS 2023 Ford Escape FHEV

The Renegade has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Renegade. But it costs extra on the Escape FHEV.

Both the Renegade and the Escape FHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and rear parking sensors.

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 Jeep Renegade is safer than the Ford Escape FHEV:

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

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Renegade for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Escape FHEV.

The engine in the Renegade has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the Escape FHEV has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Jeep 3 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Renegade’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 210 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. ) than the Escape FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Renegade stops shorter than the Escape FHEV:

For better traction, the Renegade’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Escape FHEV (235/45R19 vs. 225/65R17).

The Renegade’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape FHEV’s optional 55 series tires.

The Renegade Trailhawk offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Escape FHEV; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Renegade’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Renegade Latitude handles at .78 G’s, while the Escape FHEV AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Renegade Trailhawk’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Escape FHEV’s (35.3 feet vs. 37.2 feet). The Renegade’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Escape FHEV’s (36.3 feet vs. 37.2 feet).

The Jeep Renegade may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 200 pounds less than the Ford Escape FHEV.

The Renegade is 1 foot, 1.5 inches shorter than the Escape FHEV, making the Renegade easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Renegade has 1.1 inches more front headroom and 1.2 inches more rear headroom than the Escape FHEV.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Renegade. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Renegade’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Escape FHEV’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The Renegade’s front power windows 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 FHEV’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 Renegade offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Renegade’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Escape FHEV.

The Renegade offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Renegade will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Renegade will retain 52.53% to 58.07% of its original price after five years, while the Escape FHEV only retains 49.07% to 49.62%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Jeep Renegade will be $1727 to $3552 less than for the Ford Escape FHEV.