Ford Escape vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

When the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was redesigned in 2019, it transformed its softer and typical crossover styling to adopt a blockier and more substantial appearance. The incorporation of the trapezoidal grille from Toyota's truck lineup added heft, augmented by angled and beveled bodywork that framed the headlights. Initially, this new design held significant impact, but over the years, competitors like Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 adopted similar aesthetics.

Inside, the angular theme persisted with a multi-tiered dashboard designed with beveled cutouts for added visual interest. The layout remained quite standard among vehicles of its time, featuring an infotainment touchscreen mounted atop the dashboard and a good mix of physical buttons and knobs for easy control. Materials used throughout the cabin were average for its class, with plenty of hard plastics; however, most contact areas were padded lightly for comfort. Curiously, the base and Woodland trims opted for a downmarket urethane steering wheel and center armrest that felt rubbery and cheap. Fortunately, higher trim levels offered a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Essentially, the build quality was robust, eliminating any creaks or squeaks even on rough roads.

The 2024 Ford Escape underwent a restyling in 2023, giving the compact crossover a fresh front end, new wheel designs, and revamped trim lineup along with technology upgrades. These updates carried into 2024, making the SUV appear far more aggressive compared to its predecessor. Despite the facelift, the overall design retained a soft and generically appealing allure.

Our test vehicle, the ST-Line Elite trim, came with extras like the Rapid Red paint, black 19-inch wheels, Premium Technology Package, and Panoramic Vista Roof. These enhancements added to the appearance, albeit the interior featured diamond-stitched, perforated leather that, while visually stunning, felt unusually stiff and dry to the touch. It seemed as though a bit more attention to detail could resolve these issues, but given the model's uncertain future, this seemed unlikely to happen.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, driving the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Another electric motor mounted near the rear axle provided all-wheel drive (AWD). This setup generated a combined 219 horsepower, enabling the RAV4 Hybrid to reach 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. It was quicker by half a second compared to the standard RAV4, although overshadowed by the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid's impressive 5.5-second sprint to 60 mph.

Other competitors like the Kia Sportage Hybrid were fractionally quicker, while the Honda CR-V Hybrid had a comparable 8-second 0-60 mph time, leveling the playing field. In terms of braking, the RAV4 Hybrid adeptly combined regenerative braking for energy recovery with physical brakes for more intense stopping needs, delivering a seamless transition that was barely noticeable.

The suspension handled bumps and potholes neatly, ensuring a smooth ride with reassuring cornering capabilities. While it wasn’t overtly sporty, it excelled in providing a balanced driving experience without drawing any criticism.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered two powertrain options: a 192-horsepower hybrid achieving about 39 mpg in combined driving, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with an average fuel economy of 26 mpg. Our test model had the turbo engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, featuring a driveline disconnect for improved fuel efficiency and multiple driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Slippery. However, the lack of an Off-Road mode suggested its limitations in rugged terrain.

The turbocharged engine delivered quick acceleration, but the ST-Line Elite's overall driving dynamics did not meet the sporty expectations. The suspension permitted excessive body motion, and although the steering was responsive, it felt sluggish and uncommunicative. The braking system worked well and was easy to modulate, but the overall driving experience was characterized by a more isolated and comfortable demeanor rather than a connected, sporty one.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered ample space for front-seat passengers and could comfortably accommodate average-sized adults in the rear. Although it provided slightly more rear headroom compared to the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, it fell a bit short in legroom. When considering cargo space, the RAV4 Hybrid offered 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, a minor sacrifice compared to the non-hybrid version but quite competitive within its segment. The rear seatbacks folded flat, although shorter individuals might find them hard to reach.

Interior storage was plentiful, featuring a wide shelf in the dashboard for the front passenger, a phone tray, large cupholders, a sizeable center armrest bin, and standard-sized door pockets. A wireless charging pad was optional, but availability issues due to a chip shortage had limited its inclusion.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line's interior, dominated by black upholstery, featured cloth inserts with artificial leather bolsters and red stitching to emphasize its sporty nature. Our ST-Line Elite test vehicle included ambient lighting, a 10-way power driver seat, six-way power passenger seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, it lacked ventilated seats, which could have been useful during the hot Southern California summer of the review.

The front seats were large and soft, providing good support over extended periods. In the back, the seats offered comfort, particularly when slid into their rearmost positions. Interior storage was generous at the front but limited for rear passengers. The Escape offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, slightly less at 34.4 cubic feet for the hybrid model. With the rear seats folded down, it provided 65.4 cubic feet (60.8 cubic feet for the hybrid), with additional storage areas and a grocery bag hook enhancing practicality.

In 2023, the RAV4 Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system with modern graphics and a well-organized menu structure. Positioned at the top of the dashboard, the screen minimized distractions. Most trims featured an 8.0-inch display, with higher trims upgrading to a 10.5-inch version. The smaller display's buttons were a bit tricky to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, while a wireless charging pad was an option. The system supported over-the-air updates, included a Wi-Fi hotspot, and allowed remote monitoring and control. Higher trims also boasted a fully digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL audio system.

The 2024 Ford Escape came with standard digital instrumentation across the range. Lower trims featured an 8-inch display, while upper trims, including our ST-Line Elite, enjoyed a 12.3-inch digital cluster. The standout feature was the 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system, presented in a landscape format, which was easier to use than portrait-mounted screens. Although visually appealing, the display's color theme and font choices hindered quick, easy referencing. Integrating the dual-zone climate controls into the screen was another drawback.

Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and FordPass Connect were standard, with the larger screen also offering Amazon Alexa and connected navigation. A Bang & Olufsen premium sound system was present in our test vehicle, though speaker damage prevented a thorough evaluation. While Sync 4 provided good voice recognition and intuitive smartphone integration, it occasionally lagged and overheated smartphones on its wireless charger. The optional head-up display (HUD) and Active Park Assist 2.0, though functional, had limited practical application.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid earned high marks for safety, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarding it five stars overall and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) bestowing a Top Safety Pick rating. The RAV4 Hybrid came with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5, which included features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more advanced features like blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera in higher trims. During testing, these systems performed flawlessly without any false alarms.

The 2024 Ford Escape also prioritized safety with standard post-collision automatic braking and the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driving aids. This included features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go ability, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. However, during testing, some Co-Pilot360 features displayed inconsistent performance, notably on highways. Nevertheless, it performed better in urban freeway settings. The NHTSA rated the 2024 Escape highly, awarding five stars overall. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2024 model by the time of writing, but the 2023 model earned largely favorable ratings.