Compare the2024 Lexus NXVS 2024 Ford Escape

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Lexus NX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Escape doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the NX’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Escape doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the NX and the Escape 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, 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus NX is much safer than the Escape:

	NX	Escape
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	197	391
Head Peak Forces	no contact	93 G’s
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.77 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	915 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.54 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1093 lbs.

The Lexus NX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Escape is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

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

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the NX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Escape. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Escape ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The NX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Escape’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the NX’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Escape’s camshafts. If the Escape’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus NX’s reliability 11 points higher than the Escape and the Lexus NX Hybrid is rated 35 points higher than the Escape.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford 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 Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 22nd.

Engine

The NX has more powerful engines than the Escape:

	Horsepower
NX 250 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	203 HP
NX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	240 HP
NX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP
NX 450h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	304 HP
Escape 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder	180 HP
Escape 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	250 HP

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Ford Escape turbo 3 cyl.:

	NX	Escape
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	84.5 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Ford Escape 1.5:

	NX	Escape
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.4 MPH	84.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the Escape:

			MPGe
NX
	AWD	450h Electric Motors	93 city/75 hwy
Escape
			MPG
	FWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	27 city/34 hwy
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/32 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Escape:

			MPG
NX
	AWD	350h 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/37 hwy
		450h 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
		250 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/32 hwy
Escape
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	26 city/32 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Escape can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the NX 350h/450h’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Escape doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The NX has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port on the 450h with a power remote release convenient to the driver and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Escape doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Transmission

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Escape doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	NX	Escape
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.5 inches	11.9 inches

The NX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Escape are solid, not vented.

The NX stops shorter than the Escape:

	NX	Escape
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the NX has larger tires than the Escape (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17).

The NX’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’s standard 65 series tires. The NX’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Escape’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the NX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Escape. The NX’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Escape.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Escape doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The NX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Escape’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the NX is .8 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Escape.

The NX 350 AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Escape AWD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The NX 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Escape (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the NX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Escape (7.7 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the NX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the NX 350 AWD is quieter than the Escape ST-Line Elite AWD (70 vs. 71 dB).

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the NX’s rear seats recline. The Escape’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the NX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Escape doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the NX’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Escape doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The NX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Escape uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 59% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

Ergonomics

The NX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Escape does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The NX’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 Escape’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

On a hot day the NX’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Escape can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The NX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Access standard on the Escape doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The NX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Escape’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Escape doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the NX offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Escape doesn’t offer cornering lights. The NX also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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

When the NX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Escape’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The NX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Escape offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The NX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Escape. The NX 350/350h also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Escape.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the NX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Escape doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Economic Advantages

The NX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the NX will retain 57.75% to 60.19% of its original price after five years, while the Escape only retains 51.82% to 53.93%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus NX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford Escape isn't recommended.

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