Which is more your speed, the 2023 Ford Escape or Toyota RAV4? Both compact crossovers have major appeal, providing roomy comfort, efficient powertrains, and stunning modern features. Our comparison guide helps you better understand the pros and cons of each crossover, so you can drive home in the one that’s the best fit!
Key Takeaways
- Although both small crossovers are spacious and comfortable, the Escape offers extra wiggle room.
- Not only does the Escape offer more powertrain options, but it also delivers extra horsepower!
- If you choose the Escape’s plug-in hybrid engine, you’ll enjoy maximum fuel economy.
- The Toyota RAV4 comes standard with a longer list of tech features and driver safety aids
Roomy Comfort: 2023 Ford Escape
Although both of these small crossovers provide generous passenger space, the Escape gives you a little more wiggle room. For example, compared to the RAV4, the Escape’s front seats offer extra head- and legroom. You’ll even enjoy a little extra hip room, though the RAV4 scores higher for shoulder room.
When it comes to rear-seat space, the Escape also offers a little more to love, with greater legroom (and hip room!) than the RAV4. If your favorite passengers are on the taller side, they’ll appreciate the Escape’s extra inches of space.
Behind each crossover’s rear seats, you’ll find a comparable amount of cargo space (37.5 cubic feet in the Escape and 37.6 cubic feet in the RAV4).
Maximum Power: 2023 Ford Escape
Unlike the RAV4, which only offers one engine, the Escape appeals to a wider variety of drivers with four engine options. You can improve efficiency with the hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains. For maximum power, there’s the 250-horsepower four-cylinder engine! Or you can spend nothing extra and enjoy a peppy ride from the base three-cylinder engine. All-wheel drive is available for all but the Escape’s plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The 2023 Ford Escape powertrain options include:
- Turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (180 horsepower, 199 lb-ft of torque) and eight-speed automatic transmission
- Turbo 2.0L four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 280 lb-ft) and eight-speed automatic transmission, standard all-wheel drive
- 2.5L hybrid powertrain (200 total hp, 155 lb-ft) and continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- 2.5L four-cylinder PHEV (210 total hp, 155 lb-ft) and CVT, front-wheel drive only
Admittedly, the Toyota RAV4’s only available engine is pretty punchy. Although the RAV4 can’t match the Escape’s top output figures, it does give you a little extra standard horsepower. As with the Escape, the RAV4 comes standard with front-wheel drive, but it also offers all-wheel drive for a sportier ride.
The 2023 RAV4 powertrain specs include:
- Turbo 2.5L four-cylinder engine (203 hp, 184 lb-ft)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Optional all-wheel drive
Efficient Ride: 2023 Ford Escape
The Escape offers the most efficient ride by way of its optional PHEV powertrain. The Escape trim model with this engine — aptly named the PHEV — not only delivers 44 city/41 highway mpg, but it also gives you a 37-mile all-electric range. Depending on the length of your daily commute, you may get away with using very little gas!
The next-thriftiest Escape powertrain is the hybrid, which helps you earn up to 39 mpg combined (42 city/36 highway). Since the hybrid is available with all-wheel drive, it might be a better option for you than the plug-in hybrid, which is only available with front-wheel drive.
Of course, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 is also very efficient. With its own optional hybrid powertrain, this small crossover earns up to 40 mpg combined (41 city/38 highway).
Tech & Driver Safety Aids: 2023 Toyota RAV4
This one we have to hand to the RAV4. Toyota’s small crossover comes standard with lots of modern infotainment gear, including an 8-inch central touchscreen and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The standard lineup also includes the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 package, which means every RAV4 trim model includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, a traffic sign reader, and automatic high beams!
The 2023 Escape also includes a healthy dose of modern technology. In fact, it gives you the same standard infotainment setup as the RAV4! However, it doesn’t come standard with quite as many driver safety aids, leaving adaptive cruise control to the options list and leaving out the traffic sign reader completely. However, the Escape’s standard lineup includes forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.
Your New Ride
Although the 2023 Toyota RAV4 comes with some cool features, it’s the 2023 Ford Escape that really offers you the best daily drive. It’s also more flexible, with a variety of engines available to help you design the performance you crave. And you and your favorite passengers will love the Escape’s roomy cabin and modern tech gear!