Compare the2023 Fiat 500XVS 2023 Ford Escape FHEV

The 500X has standard Reactive Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Reactive Head Restraints 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 500X. But it costs extra on the Escape FHEV.

Both the 500X 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The 500X comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The Escape FHEV’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The engine in the 500X 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.

The 500X’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 500X stops shorter than the Escape FHEV:

The 500X AWD’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape FHEV’s standard 65 series tires. The 500X Sport’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Escape FHEV’s optional 55 series tires.

The 500X Pop handles at .79 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 500X’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Escape FHEV’s (36.3 feet vs. 37.2 feet).

The Fiat 500X may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the Ford Escape FHEV.

The 500X is 1 foot shorter than the Escape FHEV, making the 500X easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 500X’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Escape FHEV’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The 500X’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its front windows also automatically close, 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.

The 500X’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Escape FHEV’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 500X Sport has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The 500X’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.

Insurance will cost less for the 500X owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 500X will cost $340 less than the Escape FHEV over a five-year period.