2022 Ford Escape Hybrid Review | Worth It Over The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid? 

We bought a 2021 FWD Escape Hybrid in Titanium trim and are impressed with its fuel economy and features. We also test drove the RAV4 Hybrid and weren't impressed with its truck-like looks and ride. The Ford Sync 3 system is easy to use and the upgraded B&O sound system is outstanding. Well done Ford.

I bought the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD and surprisingly it is still like new after 15 years. No rust, the traction battery perform very well. No major repairs, the original Continental EcoPlus tires lasted 110,000km that are only big money change so far. Of course I did maintenance strictly according to the manual. Absolutely Love it. Saved lots of money for me. Gas consumption is like a Toyota Echo but it is a SUV.

A week ago I bought a 2021 escape hybrid in the titanium elite trim and so far I love it. It’s a really comfortable ride and people compliment it everywhere I go.

We bought our 2020 Ford Escape SE Sport Hybrid in December 2019. As others have pointed out, the interior is not luxurious. But, I must add how it is so easy to clean. A little Armor All and a soft cloth, and the interior looks like new. My wife has spent a lot of time as my passenger on trips of 120 to 320 miles, and she finds the passenger seat very comfortable. She especially has fallen in love with the heated seats. The controls are easy to use; the digital displays easy to read. The cargo space can accommodate our two bikes, or lots of stuff from Home Depot, such as bags of dirt or heating pellets. The car is not a rocket when one measures 0-60, but zero to forty is very good, and I never have trouble passing on the highways. Final thought: The folks at Consumer Reports in their Talking Cars series said, “the Escape Hybrid is the Escape done right.”

We are now a month into this purchase and I have to say this vehicle is awesome (22 escape PHEV SEL). We got 700 miles out of the first tank of gas! (11 gal capacity). No issues or problems, highly recommend!!

Thanks for a thorough and honest assessment of the 2022 Escape Hybrid. Your no BS insight is a welcome touch.

Update July 2023: I got rid of my 2022 Escape Hybrid due to the recent recall for possible engine failure and fire. Not to mention no fix available and months to get in after parts are available. I bought a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. I had a deposit to “hold my spot” for a RAV4 XLE AWD hybrid. Then the dealer got word to me that I’d be looking at a 6 month (or more) wait. The local Hyundai dealer had a $2000 markup on the Tucson hybrids and also a 2-3 month wait. I own a Ford product so I looked at my Ford dealer and they had 6 Escape SE AWD Hybrids coming in. Between the rebate, a better trade-in value, no markups and only a three week wait I cancelled my deposit at Toyota and have a done deal for a 2022 Escape SE AWD Hybrid with the heated seats and steering wheel package. I’ll be saving thousands over the other two I was looking at. I’m happy with my decision and will pick it up around March 10th. With gas prices going up I’m glad I’m getting it soon.

I have a 2021 Ford Escapes hybrid Titanium with the FWD transmission. The main reason I bought this car is that it is the only hybrid SUV that is flat towable behind a motorhome...the only one! And I have averaged 44.7mpg over the 4400+ miles I have on it. Traded a Lexus ES300h on it and I like driving the Escape better!

I just bought a 2022 Escape titanium hybrid and love.

We just got the 2022 Escape Titanium Hybrid and I absolutely love it so far. We're driving in a spaceship compared to our last car (2019 Ford Fiesta). It's ridiculous how we got, like, 42MPG on one of our trips to the grocery store.

escape is a practical value vehicle. this reviewer speaks very well. nice

Have driven a C-Max Hybrid since 2013 (bought new) have only had to put it in the shop once for a repair (throttle body went out) that was unplanned. The C-Max (an other ford hybrids) will give you better mpg's if you develop the slow/start driving style, especially in town. The C-Max delivers every day 49 to 53 mpg around town (sometimes 57) and 41 to 47 mpg on the interstate. Going to get an '22 Escape Hybrid, in the new Stone Blue colour. And the C-Max ... will keep it and park the Escape right beside it.

I have a 2020 Escape Hybrid and I love it. Fuel economy vs. Power is excellent. Only issue is the interior with lots of hard plastic. Otherwise, it is a great SUV.

Another advantage to the Escape hybrid is that it is capable of being flat towed (4 wheels down). This makes it a good choice for motor home owners who want to tow a car behind their camper.

Great video Shari. Thanks for this knowledge sharing.

I have a 2021 Escape Hybrid Titanium and I love it ,

I have 2016 ford C-max hybrid now had 250K km running like new and 40L gas run for around 800 to 900km If am in town only it will go more By work 70km from my home so I have to used hyw all the time. Very nice car small for family. 😊

Not only is the Escape Hybrid naturally aspirated, it also has port injection. So no worries about a second, high pressure fuel delivery system and the problems that come with GDI, gas direct Injection. For trouble free longevity, this is a great set up. I have, essentially, this same power train in my 2011 Fusion Hybrid with 150,000 on the original battery and power train. It has been bullet proof with focus on use, care and maintenance - no repairs needed. With the Fusion Hybrid discontinued by Ford, my next vehicle will be the Escape Hybrid.

Love it. Ford doesn't get respected as much as they should.

I’m averaging 44 mpg in my Ford Escape hybrid!

Love your Channel, over the others, Bro! 👍 Keep up the good work

I'm probably going to aim for the escape hybrid because it offers a tow package for 3500 and most others don't even offer a tow kit

We purchased our 2022 Ford Escape (Titanium) hybrid back in May 2022. I liked the look of the Escape over the RAV4 and the price was far better than the other hybrid manufacturers. Fuel mileage is excellent and so far have been averaging 38% electric mileage (highest being 59.9%) of the total 42,500 kilometres driven so far. The ride and comfort is excellent as well. The only concern is the present recall on the engine which Ford now says will be addressed in the second quarter of this year. Overall I am very happy with our purchase and hope to retain this hybrid for many years to come.

Thank you for sharing the information and possible challenges with turbo engines. We considered the Tucson hybrid but the turbo engine and the recent engine issues Hyundai/Kia have had steered us toward the Venza. It was definitely the right choice.

I own a 2020 Escape hybrid and the fuel mileage is impressive. Averaging 46.7 mpg over last 13,000 miles. No reliability issues other than 2 minor recalls concerning back up camera.

Great video. Very informative.. thanks!

Thanks! You said everything I needed to know

We have been shopping RAV4 Hybrid vs Escape Hybrid. I will say the infotainment and display cluster are much better in the Escape. Faster, more responsive, more modern. I found the control layout more logical. Thankfully Ford allows me to remote start with the fob and does not force me into paying subscription after the first year. This really makes me angry Toyota on a car this expensive. Batteries in the Escape are under the car instead of under the rear seat so seat slides and no worry on blocking cooling.

Thanks Shari of your very informative review like it so much informative,,,

I was able to get an Escape ordered custom in about 8 weeks.

I really enjoy your reviews and informative videos. Will you or have you compared the KIA Niro hybrid (or any KIA models) to similar compact SUV's? Thanks in advance.

We just purchased a plug in hybrid SEL escape. As of now they still have a $6800 tax rebate!! Only on the PHEV though.

Regarding reliability, afaik Ford is the only manufacturer to provide liquid cooling for the HEV battery. This should provide lower capacity degradation that the air cooled battery in Toyota hybrid. Those being said, Toyota HEV batteries last a very long time too

Great review and you speak cleary and bring up very salient features that consumers want to hear. Toyota can't be beat. They are the world's top brand hands down. You said the Escape is almost same price as the Rav4. I thought the Ravs are much higher. As of this writing, a used Rav4 hybrid is almost same costs as a new Escape or Maverick. Crazy. Ford just doesn't have the same reliability record as Toyota. While they're improving, Ford has so many recalls and serious ones at that...🔥and no solutions yet for the recall on the Escape. Geez. I was about to buy a used 2020 Escape Hybrid, but along with first year woes AND recalls, I decided it just seems too risky

Great video...I will take a drive in one of the Ford escape hybrid if 0% is offered over Toyota RAV4...

the 2022 ford maverick hybrid has the same hybrid system as the Ford Escape so reliability should be good. The best part with hybrid systems, the maintenance is very minimum. thoughts?

The problem with the Escape PHEV is that it is not available with AWD.

No matter what you buy I would always dump it before warranty is up . I ordered the 2022 Hybrid Escape should get it very soon . I find servicing at Ford cheaper and one of the few places that offer a loaner car when its in for servicing .

Currently have an Escape Hybrid on order to replace my now out of warranty Mini Countryman (and thankfully retained good trade value). The Mini, as well as the Toyota Hybrid (or any Toyota and most other small SUV's) fails to meet my #1 requirement which is never a consideration in "Best of" reviews. Specifically, it must be 4 wheel down towable behind an RV and being in the desirable below 4000lb weight class limit of Transit and Sprinter based RV's. So if you own an RV, or an outside chance may during the lifecycle of the car, the Escape Hybrid (or Plug-in Hybrid) is perhaps the best choice of the 3 other small SUV's (Chevy Equinox, Chevy Trailblazer 1.3L and Buick Encore GX 1.3L) that qualify. Note, non-hybrid Escapes, and surprisingly Equinox's twin GMC Terrain DO NOT qualify for 4 down towing.

wonderful video. You covered quite a bit in this video. Do you think the touch screen should be larger than 8"?

Great review. We just bought a RAV4 Hybrid and only had t wait one week for it. It was a week that was well worth the wait over the Escape Hybrid.

Fast forward one year, and the Toyota PHEV has a 3 year wait list. In fact, many dealers are not even taking orders anymore.

Your reviews are good

Thx for the video!

You said this vehicle uses the latest Ford sync interface. I don't think that's correct. Sync 4 is out on other vehicles. This one has Sync 3.

Hi Shari can you please make a video of what is the best winter tires?

How come the Hybrid version doesn't allow you to have AWD? That is a big selling point for me.

It would be nice if they made the Ford Escape look like an SUV instead of looking like the Focus. Higher off the ground would be better too.

5:59 why would I want that, just something that is liable to break, and can't be fixed without an expensive repair part/labor.

It has much more room than the Rav4.

It looks like a decent vehicle, but, I prefer the Toyota Rav4 or the Honda CRV hybrid vehicles . If I need a vehicle now and couldn't wait 6 months for a new car I would consider it. I am a bit hesitant on trusting Ford for reliability.

my ford escape hybrid has 900k miles. and runs like brand new

I would buy this Ford Escape Hybrid over any Hyundai….between the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid it all comes down to whether you are leasing or buying. If you are leasing then the Ford Escape Hybrid make sense, if you are buying then for sure the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid….just my lay person opinion.

is the Engine Flex Fuel ?

I just hate the restyle on the Escape. The rounded smiley face front is awful.

Ford reliability is hit or miss

I really dislike the modern trend of not including a manual transmission option on new cars.

🤮 🙈

I don't see myself ever buying a ford. Not with all those amazing hybrid SUVs on the market. I'd rather spring the extra money and wait

Just woke up and I thought it said 1922 - Me thinks now🤔🤔I bet the 1922 is better🤔🤔🤣🤣

You just called the ford maverick a "workhorse truck" - and lost all of your credibility

I don’t think it will be very reliable after 6 years though

NO. Ford has not kept up with other SUV's, especially the Japanese models.

Nope, it's not.

Its much smaller than RAV4. Sorry, not even worth comparing

Do not buy a Ford Escape. I bought a 2013 and will never buy Ford again. I advised them that they were building the car Ceuta the 4 doors hitting each other which is ridiculous in the 21 st century. I advised Ford to create a larger gap between the front and rear door so they would not hit and they did absolutely nothing. They did not care that almost all Escapes had this problem. I found 2019’s with the same problem. Buy Toyota or Honda that care about quality.

Red Bank, NJ 07701 Blessed Love 👍