Compare the2025 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2025 Ford Escape FHEV

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

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/12/21

The Highlander Hybrid has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Highlander Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Escape FHEV.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the Escape FHEV 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid weighs 845 to 1066 pounds more than the Ford Escape FHEV. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is safer than the Ford Escape FHEV:

	Highlander Hybrid	Escape FHEV
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	55	197
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	79 lbs.	191 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	37 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	152 lbs.	816 lbs.

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

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 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is much safer than the Escape FHEV:

	Highlander Hybrid	Escape FHEV
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	71	391
Head Peak Forces	no contact	93 G’s
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.51 in	1.1 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	1.77 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	8 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	132	168
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.06 in	1.54 in
Shoulder Force	357 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	201 lbs.	1093 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid 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 FHEV is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Escape FHEV.

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 Highlander Hybrid’s reliability 32 points higher than the Escape FHEV.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 92 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 23rd.

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

Engine

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 51 more horsepower (243 vs. 192) than the Escape FHEV’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is faster than the Ford Escape FHEV:

	Highlander Hybrid	Escape FHEV
Zero to 60 MPH	8.4 sec	8.7 sec
Quarter Mile	16.3 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85.6 MPH	84.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Highlander Hybrid has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Escape FHEV (17.1 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Highlander Hybrid	Escape FHEV
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	11.9 inches

The Highlander Hybrid’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 FHEV are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Highlander Hybrid has larger tires than the Escape FHEV (235/65R18 vs. 225/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has standard 20-inch wheels. The Escape FHEV’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander Hybrid’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Escape FHEV (112.2 inches vs. 106.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander Hybrid is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Escape FHEV.

The Highlander Hybrid’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Escape FHEV’s (58% to 42%). This gives the Highlander Hybrid more stable handling and braking.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum handles at .78 G’s, while the Escape FHEV AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The Highlander Hybrid offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Escape FHEV can only carry 5.

The Highlander Hybrid has 37.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Escape FHEV (139.5 vs. 102.2).

The Highlander Hybrid has 2 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 3.7 inches more rear hip room and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Escape FHEV.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander Hybrid’s middle and third row seats recline. The Escape FHEV’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area provides more volume than the Escape FHEV.

	Highlander Hybrid	Escape FHEV
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	34.4 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.3 cubic feet	60.8 cubic feet

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Escape FHEV’s in almost every dimension:

	Highlander Hybrid	Escape FHEV
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	17.8”/48”/80.7”	n.a./36.7”/68.3”
Max Width	50”	57.3”
Min Width	45.8”	41.4”
Height	31”	32.8”

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

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

Towing

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Escape FHEV’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Ergonomics

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

If the windows are left open on the Highlander Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Escape FHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Highlander Hybrid’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Escape FHEV’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Highlander Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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

When the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum 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 FHEV’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Ford Escape FHEV offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Highlander Hybrid offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Escape FHEV’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Highlander Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Escape FHEV. The Highlander Hybrid Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Escape FHEV.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the overhead console. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Ford charges extra for Homelink® on the Escape FHEV and is only available on the Escape FHEV Elite/Platinum.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Escape FHEV.

The Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Escape FHEV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Economic Advantages

The Highlander Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Highlander Hybrid will retain 55.94% to 57.42% of its original price after five years, while the Escape FHEV only retains 52.33% to 53.49%.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Ford Escape by 20% during 2023.

See Available Inventory