Compare the2025 Ford EscapeVS 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Escape Select/Elite/Platinum offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Corolla Cross 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.

The Escape has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Escape has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Both the Escape and the Corolla Cross 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors 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 is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Escape	Corolla Cross
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	143	191
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	33.6%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	297 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	61 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	324/279 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	330
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	592/372 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 is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Escape	Corolla Cross
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	240 lbs.	330 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	137
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	43 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	12 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	32 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	623 lbs.

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

Warranty

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’s warranty.

Reliability

The Escape has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

Engine

The Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (180 vs. 169) and 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (199 vs. 150) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 81 more horsepower (250 vs. 169) and 130 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 150) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Escape is faster than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Escape turbo 3 cyl.	Escape turbo 4 cyl.	Corolla Cross
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	5.8 sec	9.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.3 sec	6.8 sec	9.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4.1 sec	3.3 sec	4.7 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5.4 sec	4 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	14.4 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87 MPH	97 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escape 1.5 Turbo’s fuel efficiency. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Escape FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross FWD’s standard fuel tank (14.8 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Escape AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.7 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The Escape has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

The Escape stops much shorter than the Corolla Cross:

	Escape	Corolla Cross
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape has larger tires than the Corolla Cross (225/65R17 vs. 215/65R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Corolla Cross’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Ford Escape has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Corolla Cross 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Escape has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Corolla Cross’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Escape has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Escape flat and controlled during cornering. The Corolla Cross 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the Corolla Cross (106.7 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Escape AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Corolla Cross XLE AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Escape ST-Line Elite AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Corolla Cross LE (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

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

Passenger Space

The Escape has 15.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Cross (104 vs. 88.4).

The Escape has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 8.7 inches more rear legroom, 9.5 inches more rear hip room and 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Corolla Cross (37.5 vs. 25.5 cubic feet).

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Escape. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Escape’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Corolla Cross’ (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Corolla Cross is only 1500 pounds. The Escape offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Escape, 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Escape’s optional Easy Entry and Exit 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Escape 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 Corolla Cross 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’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape has standard Intelligent Access that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers a Smart Key System.

The Escape’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Corolla Cross L’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent. The Escape Elite/Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Corolla Cross LE/XLE’s manually variable intermittent wipers don’t change delay with speed.

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

The Escape has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Corolla Cross has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XLE.

On extremely cold winter days, the Escape’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Escape has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Corolla Cross XLE.

Compared to the Toyota Corolla Cross, the Ford Escape Elite/Platinum eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the driver’s visor.

The Escape Elite/Platinum’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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Ford Escape outsold the Toyota Corolla Cross by almost two to one during 2023.

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