The 2019 Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue are two crossovers that deliver the goods with comfy, modern cabins and sporty performance. But which is more your style? Our comparison guide takes a closer look.
Smoothest, Comfiest Operator: 2019 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape takes the lead here. The Escape especially outdoes the Rogue in terms of front-seat comfort. If you plan to spend a lot of time on the road, you’ll want to do so wrapped in the Escape’s supportive front seats.
Still, these crossovers have a lot of comfort features in common. Both supply plenty of space, front and rear, which, of course, means pleasant road trips. And both deliver good climate control systems, though the Escape especially impressed us in this department.
Sportiest Performance: 2019 Ford Escape
When it comes to crossovers, drivers want the best of both worlds—and that means family-friendly space and a sporty ride. Not only does the Escape deliver both, but this crossover even lets you configure your powertrain to suit your daily drive. Choose from three engines to achieve everything from peppy fuel economy to blazing speed.
There’s only one engine option for the Nissan Rogue, so there’s not a lot that you need to configure. Of course, this could be a good thing, if you’re more of a laissez-faire shopper. However, the Rogue’s continuously variable engine and four-cylinder engine feel weak, especially compared to the Escape’s turbocharged options.
Tows the Biggest Boat: 2019 Ford Escape
The Escape tows more. Way more. If you’ve got a pretty big boat or even a squadron of Jet Skis at home, you’re going to need the Escape to lug them around. Properly equipped, the 2019 Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The Nissan Rogue lags way behind, maxing out at 1,100 pounds. You’ll be lucky if the Rogue lugs a pair of Jet Skis around.
Best in Standard Safety: 2019 Nissan Rogue
The Rogue comes standard with all the latest in driver safety aids. You’re probably already familiar with the usual suspects—blind-spot warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane keeping assist. We’re impressed at their performance too. These systems do a good job of detecting danger without overdoing it or annoyingly crying wolf.
These modern features are also available for the Ford Escape. They’re just not standard equipment. They are, however, available with the Safe and Smart package, which is available for all but the base S trim.
You can probably guess where we’re going with this. The Nissan Rogue is very likable, but the 2019 Ford Escape leaves the Rogue in the dust. With its sporty performance and versatile cabin, we think you’ll agree that the Escape is your best daily driver.