Ford Escape PHEV | Better VALUE Than RAV4 Prime? 

Sorry about the wind, it was pretty wild that week. So would you take this over the RAV4 Prime with it's lower price? Each of them have benefits over the other, so what would be most important to you? Leave your thoughts below and thanks for watching!

The Ford Escape is a genuinely interesting vehicle and I prefer the styling over the Rav4 (smooth, sophisticated over angular and angry). Ford really seem to be getting their act together these days. I also like that Ford can accommodate a spare tire (even though it's a temporary) as a puncture on the back roads of Arizona in the middle of summer could have serious consequences. So a big NO to the Hyundai Tucson PHEV! Where Ford win big-time is their choice of mechanics. Basically they use the same configuration as the Toyota Rav4 Prime - Atkinson cycle, normally aspirated and an eCVT (planetary gear, not rubber/steel band drive). This means fuel economy and driving range are excellent and leave the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe PHEVs in the dust. 40 mpg combined (hybrid mode) and a 37 mile EV range puts the Ford Escape up with the Rav4 Prime. Simpler mechanics while delivering excellent economy are a great combination if reliability is your concern. I really only have two complaints (when comparing to the Rav4 Prime). The loss of 4WD (there's no option for that on the Escape whereas the Rav4 Prime is 4WD standard) is a pain. I like to ski and cross country so losing 4WD was a bit of deal breaker. But if you operate primarily on tarmac and away from snow, then the Escape may actually be a better choice. The next complaint is the power. Yes, the Escape actually has PLENTY of power for normal driving (I test drove one) and the only time I really noticed the difference was during overtakes while climbing into the mountains. Here the Rav4 Prime punches you back in the seat and behaves in a very un-SUV manner. The Ford Escape? Less so. But as I said, normal driving you aren't going to notice much of a difference. So, if you want 95% of the performance, economy and range of the Rav4 Prime, then the Escape PHEV is absolutely worth a look. For me the loss of 4WD and the overtaking acceleration were significant issues. Consequently I bought the Rav4 Prime SE. Overall the Prime has outperformed the government and Toyota figures consistently - I've seen 46 miles of range in cross street driving, 41.6 mpg in pure hybrid mode (combined city and urban freeway) and 37 mpg for freeway driving. As of writing this comment my Prime SE shows 74.6 mpge for the past year's worth of driving. Of course when I bought the Prime I hadn't envisaged that a year later the price of gas in Phoenix would soar past $5 a gallon, but here we are! So that's the icing on the cake. Overall, though, Ford seem to be working a plan and are committed to the future. With the Mach-E and F150 Lightning and a range of European vehicles that are tuned to that market, it is clear that Ford are determined not to be a dinosaur. Driving the Ford Escape actually did put a smile on my face too!

Another reason for gentle braking on hybrids/plug in hybrids is saving break pads. I have 115k on my 2013 Ford Cmax and there is still plenty of the original pads left!

We’ve had our 2022 PHEV Escape SEL for 2 months and had to laugh at folks saying they need more power. We run it in EV Only mode without any problems with acceleration from stoplights, signs or getting on the freeway. If you really think you need even more power then you might want to evaluate your driving habits. Awesome PHEV especially for the price.

a have Ford escape PHEV in August and absolutely love it😁😁

Just got back from a 1500 mile round trip journey and I'll have to say it was more than expected. I was only able to charge twice during the excursion and we ended up averaging 45.9 mpg for the trip. Ride was comfortable and I didn't have issues with 5 plus hour drives. I personally love the vehicle. Total fuel charge was around $100.00.

I'm really surprised more manufacturers aren't heavily promoting these vehicles more. I love the RAV4 Prime, and I think a lot of people who might be on the fence regarding EVs would feel more comfortable in something like this. I'd love to see more vehicles gain short range EV power with hybrid efficiency as a backup to help bridge the gap into the EV future. Great review and comparison! Loved hearing about a RAV4 Prime alternative.

Not needing the power of the RAV4 Prime, I'd be happier with the efficiency of the Escape.

You do excellent, comprehensive reviews!

When I see this car compared to the RAV4 Prime, it make me dubious. The RAV4 Prime is impossible to get. Period. So you compare a car you can order and can get in 3-5 months, with a car that virtually does not exist. There is a 2 years wait to get the RAV4 and it will be outdated by then. That being said, I do own an Escape PHEV (because I was not patient enough to dream about getting a Toyota!). And I'm quite satisfied with it. It is not perfect, but it gets the job done very well, is very frugal on gas, is well equipped, the financial deal was awesome, and the ride is very comfortable. I had a Highlander Hybrid and a RAV4 before, and I don't miss them.

We have a 2022 RAV 4 Prime model SE (base model) with now over 3,000 miles. EV range is 45+ miles now with warmer weather here in Northwest Oregon. MPG just on the gas motor with a depleted battery is 38-40+ MPG. I have managed to achieve 49.5 MPG for 80 miles after the battery was depleted and the engine switched over to hybrid mode. This was on the Oregon Coast Highway 101, with speeds 25-55 MPH as the highway goes through several small towns. Impressed with the RAV 4 Prime as it is all wheel drive and the Escape plug in is not, and has a longer range with a larger gas tank.. Right now our display indicated 51 miles of EV Range and 551 miles of Hybrid range (after battery is depleted).

I’m currently dailying a RAV4 prime and regularly get about 50 miles of charge, significantly more than the 42 it’s rated for.

I’ve got the EU version of this called KUGA same car really. Got the STLINEX edition and it’s brilliant. Yeah, the interior is a bit so so but it’s still way better than the RAV (which my dad has). I can get up to 50 miles but averaging anywhere between 39-45 in a normal week on EV. When petrol kicks in it as acts like a mild hybrid so you get diesel MPG. Moved from a Tiguan to this and oddly happy to say it’s better

The middle cup holder spot being for a mug with a handle makes a lot of sense now, thanks. Thought it was a good idea for something but not what. Some other person was saying stuff like red bull but no......... Not for me.

I wish the PHEV escape came in AWD.

Thanks. Looking at ordering a 2023 as soon as Ford allows.

Sometimes I wish I could have gotten a Rav 4 prime for the increase in power as well as range. The escapes electric only power leaves you wanting and needing more. I installed a banks pedal monster on my 22 escape phev and like it much better now for daily driving. I'm not really a fan of Toyota however and the escape was cheaper and available. Overall it's saving me a fortune in fuel over driving my other gas guzzlers. It's a great family vehicle for this new Dad lol.

Awesome!!!

I have a 2020 Ford Escape SE in black for almost 7 months now. It is not a hybrid vehicle. It took me about a week to get used to it. I used to drive a 2015 Ford Escape SE in silver grey for almost 5 years in that vehicle. Apple Car Play was new to me when I first drove it. I even got used to it very quickly for Apple Car Play by playing it liked my iPhone. I even figured how to updated the Sync 3 on it. I’m glad to get the vehicle because of the cloth seats.

can you make a video on best midsize suv and share your opinion on how you prefer one over the other

Why did you review the lowest trim?

Escape in Asia is called Kuga, it’s big hit with Asian people!!

When doing the Full Throttle why aren’t you putting the Escape in Sport mode?

In Europe They Have The Ford Explorer Plug In Hybrid

I compared all the available PHEV's and eventually settled on the Prime. The differentiators depend on which competitor you compare against. Factors such as 4WD, spare tire, turning circle, towing capacity, transmission, horsepower and torque. In the end, the Ford Escape and Hyundai Tuscon were creditable also-rans for me. I love the 302hp from the Rav4's power train, and the 84.1mpg average since new, is the icing on the cake. I do wish I had room for a full spare (the Prime has the wretched donut Americans are so fond of, but which I despise). I am also glad I bought before the change in federal tax rebate rules (the Rav4 Prime is manufactured in Japan) so I got the full $7,500 rebate. I am also please I chose the SE variant (with all available packages). The XSE is ludicrously overpriced for a bunch of features I never wanted in the first place. Truly the only features I wanted, but didn't get, are the 110V inverter and the power seat memory. On the upside, the SE is more than 300lbs lighter than the XSE and gets better acceleration and range than the XSE. On road (which means after tax and registration) I paid $46,500 but after the tax rebate that reduced to $39,000. And I've loved every minute I've driven it these past two years!

Three year old RAV4 Primes are selling for $60,000 in my state. Ridiculous!

2022 Ford Escape SE PHEV Plug-In Hybrid!

Can the Rav4 be flat towed behind a motor home?

Tbh the rav4 prime interior is more expressive and feels better designed than the ford interior imo

People told me the 20 year one had laminated front side glass, I know the lincoln escape does

in europ its called ford KUGA

Toyota charges for remote start and use of the app. Ford does not.

Better than a Prime in my opinion.

2022 my ass! That has the 2021 dials! They cheaped out in 2022

First one!😄

That price difference is the cost of reliability. Toyota all the way and it's considered cheap considering tax credit

The seats look rental car cheap.

Not joking, NO Ford is a better value than...well, anything. They are AWFUL vehicles.

One of the ugliest cars on the road