Compare the2025 Ford Escape FHEVVS 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 FHEV 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 Hybrid SE/XSE offers a blind spot warning system.

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

Both the Escape FHEV and the Corolla Cross Hybrid 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, 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 FHEV is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid:

	Escape FHEV	Corolla Cross Hybrid
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 FHEV is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid:

	Escape FHEV	Corolla Cross Hybrid
	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 FHEV’s warranty.

Reliability

The Escape FHEV 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 Hybrid 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.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Escape FHEV’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Escape FHEV has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (14.3 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Escape FHEV 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Escape FHEV higher (8 out of 10) than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (7). This means the Escape FHEV produces up to 5.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Corolla Cross Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Escape FHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Corolla Cross Hybrid:

	Escape FHEV	Corolla Cross Hybrid
Front Rotors	13 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	11.1 inches

The Escape FHEV stops shorter than the Corolla Cross Hybrid:

	Escape FHEV	Corolla Cross Hybrid
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape FHEV has larger tires than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (225/55R19 vs. 215/65R17).

The Escape FHEV’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 Corolla Cross Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape FHEV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Corolla Cross Hybrid. The Escape FHEV’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE/Nightshade.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid; 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 gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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

Chassis

The front grille of the Escape FHEV 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Escape FHEV has 7.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (102.2 vs. 94.9).

The Escape FHEV 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, 6.9 inches more rear legroom, 9.5 inches more rear hip room and 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape FHEV has a much larger cargo volume than the Corolla Cross Hybrid with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 21.5 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

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

The Escape FHEV’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 Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape FHEV’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 Hybrid 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 FHEV 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 Hybrid SE/XSE’s manually variable intermittent wipers don’t change delay with speed.

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

The Escape FHEV 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 Hybrid has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XSE.

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

The Escape FHEV 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 Hybrid XSE.

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

The Escape FHEV 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 Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Escape FHEV and the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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