Compare the2025 Lexus NXVS 2025 Ford Escape PHEV

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

Safety

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The NX offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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

Both the NX and the Escape PHEV 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 PHEV:

	NX	Escape PHEV
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 PHEV 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 PHEV’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 PHEV. 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 PHEV ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Reliability

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 Hybrid’s reliability 30 points higher than the Escape PHEV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 104 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 23rd.

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 350h AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 30 more horsepower (240 vs. 210) than the Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 65 more horsepower (275 vs. 210) than the Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The NX 450h+ AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 94 more horsepower (304 vs. 210) than the Escape PHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 350h AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Ford Escape PHEV:

	NX	Escape PHEV
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16 sec

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h+ AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Ford Escape PHEV (base engine):

	NX	Escape PHEV
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.4 MPH	91.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The NX has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Escape PHEV (14.5 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 PHEV doesn’t have a locking charge port. 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.

Brakes and Stopping

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 PHEV are solid, not vented.

The NX stops shorter than the Escape PHEV:

	NX	Escape PHEV
70 to 0 MPH	175 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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

The NX’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escape PHEV’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the NX offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Escape PHEV’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 PHEV 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 PHEV’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 PHEV.

The NX 350 AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Escape PHEV pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The NX 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Escape PHEV (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

Chassis

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Ford Escape PHEV.

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the NX’s rear seats recline. The Escape PHEV’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 PHEV doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the NX. The Escape PHEV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Escape PHEV is limited to 1500 pounds. The NX offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The NX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Escape PHEV 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 62% lower rating, Ford is ranked 26th.

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 PHEV does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 PHEV 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 PHEV doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The NX’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 PHEV’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 PHEV’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 PHEV 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 PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 PHEV’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 PHEV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the NX and the Escape PHEV have standard heated front seats. 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 PHEV.

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 PHEV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The NX 350/350h/450h+’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Escape PHEV’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus NX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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