Compare the2023 Ford Escape FHEVVS 2023 Tesla Model Y

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Escape FHEV 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 Model Y 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 FHEV offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model Y 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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Escape FHEV’s standard Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Escape FHEV’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model Y doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Escape FHEV has standard 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model Y doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Escape FHEV and the Model Y have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras 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 Tesla Model Y:

	Escape FHEV	Model Y
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	25%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	210 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	68 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	298/427 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	102	211
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	189 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 FHEV is safer than the Tesla Model Y:

	Escape FHEV	Model Y
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	358
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	45 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	682 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are almost 20 times as many Ford dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape FHEV’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 1 place higher in reliability than Tesla.

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension and Handling

The Escape FHEV has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Escape FHEV flat and controlled during cornering. The Model Y’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the Escape FHEV’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Model Y’s (37.2 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

Chassis

The Ford Escape FHEV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 850 pounds less than the Tesla Model Y.

The Escape FHEV is 6.9 inches shorter than the Model Y, making the Escape FHEV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Escape FHEV has .6 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear hip room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model Y.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape FHEV has a much larger cargo volume than the Model Y with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 16.9 cubic feet).

Towing

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 Model Y 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 Model Y doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Escape FHEV Elite/Platinum 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 Model Y 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 FHEV’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Model Y doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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

Consumer Reports rated the Escape FHEV’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Model Y’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Escape FHEV has standard extendable sun visors. The Model Y doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Model Availability

The Escape FHEV is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Model Y doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Escape FHEV owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escape FHEV will cost $3325 to $4155 less than the Model Y 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 $18172 to $22260 less than for the Tesla Model Y.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Escape FHEV, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Tesla Model Y isn't recommended.

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