Winter Testing! 2022 Ford Escape Plug-In vs Hyundai Tucson Hybrid - Comparing Power, Specs & More 

My wife has a 22' Titanium PHEV we ordered in mid December 21' and arrived mid March 22'. It's not perfect but it's an amazing commuter around town. Factoring in Ford rebates and the federal tax rebate, we will have paid right at $30k (before TTL) for it, which in this market is frankly amazing for what you get. Only used a half a tank of gas over the first 2k miles, which equates to roughly 5-6 gallons of fuel. Easily chargeable overnight on a 110v outlet and our electric bill has gone up only $20-25/month. Beats $50-60 weekly fill ups! Long distance highway MPG's vary on speed and traffic. 2 long trips with my state's speed limits (most traffic runs 80-85mph) and it has returned 32-34mpg. Last weekend we did a 130 mile trip with a mix of long interstate and rural country roads and it returned 44mpg. We looked at the Hyundai as well but the cost was significantly more and frankly not worth the difference.

I JUST BOUGHT A TUSON HYBRID AND ENJOYED UR VIDEO. I GOT MINE FOR 31K WE LIVE IN E. TX SO WE HAFT TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES. KEEP MAKING VIDEOS ITS A GOOD SERVICE YOUR DOING.

Great review

In the non-PHEV realm, the Escape emphasizes mpg more than any of the competitors (read: price point). In design for drag, the CVT, weight, engine, etc. Others have strengths, but if mpg is a top concern, the Escape bests all others. It comes down to priorities. We have a 4runner for beastly use (and beastly fuel bills) and an Escape Hybrid for near hyper mileage performance around town. I'm astonished at the mpg we get on some runs.

I would go with the Escape all the way, however I was impressed with the camera setup in the Hyundai more than in the Ford. I've owned 3 Fords and never had any problems with them.

Why can’t Ford make a plug-in Bronco Sport? It’s all the same platform.

[This comment is a year late, but today was the first time that RU-vid suggested your channel to me.] Nice review, and fair I think. I have the Tucson plug-in. When I was car-shopping, I eliminated the Escape because it didn't have AWD, and when I need that, I really need it. But not everyone does. Your comments about the Tucson ergonomics are not wrong, but I find that to be an annoyance rather than a pain. Because of the larger battery, the Tucson plug-in's gas tank is 10 litres smaller than the regular hybrid, so that reduces highway range by over 100 km; that is something to keep in mind on long trips.

I dont get why Ford is not offering the Escape plug-in hybrid in AWD, it's a big downside.....

You nailed it!

I'm getting my first Ford Escape tomorrow

great video guys once again... both nice suv's i think i would still take the Ford..

I have the Ford Escape (Kuga) in the UK, plug in, its excellent I actually run on electric more then fuel. I am looking to replace it with the PHEV Tucson as I love the dashboard and this video put them both together. Making me think I should keep the Ford now though. In electric mode I can get as much as 50 miles, I drop my lady to the station, the girl to school and then carry onto work, go out for lunch and drive home and still leaves me with about 20 miles. Plug in is the way to go for short commutes as you say. Great video guys.

The lack of buttons doesn't bother me at all. I would use the controls on the steering wheel and set the climate control on automatic. Also, I prefer the interior of the Tucson as well. it is much classier imo. Plus I want AWD. That's why I ordered the Tucson PHEV.

Great review. In Canada, AWD or nothing, you may only need it once a yr, worth it👍 Cheers

Ford has less HP, less payload, weighs more, costs more, no AWD, has less cargo room. Whereas the Hyundai has shiny black plastic and chrome all over the interior to blind the driver from all angles on a sunny day, and no physical buttons. Tough choice!

My Tucson interior is black n silver which I get a ton of compliments on. I drive for Uber and lots of people tell me the inside is more than what they’d expect. Plus it’s not the top trim so I do have knobs and toggles for volume and temperature control. I liked your expressions taking off between stop to go, that was great. Oh the top trim of the Tucson has the full touchscreen because the wireless phone charger doesn’t fit in the console. So in my Tucson I have buttons and an 8” screen but I have a wireless charger which is super cool and helpful to a lot of my riders. Also the hybrid Tucson is a turbo which is probably why there’s real good acceleration. I’d post a photo of my interior but no option here.

I’d get the Hyundai. I think the Escape looks on the edge of “old fashioned”. It has a bit more room and I think the plug in option is great! Great comparison!

Not exactly apples to oranges. Hybrid vs PHEV and completely different models. Maybe in the future, you'll be able to get the models to compare Hyundai Hybrid vs PHEV, Ford Escape PHEV vs Hyundai PHEV, Ford Escape Hybrid vs Ford Escape PHEV. Once shortages are over of course. With the differences between Hybrid and PHEV, there's a huge weight difference. Maybe a more realistic test would be comparing the costs when doing a daily driver range charge/fuel costs. Use the volume on your steering wheel. I don't know why you'd be taking your hand off the wheel when controls are on the steering wheel too. :P

The Ford’s “ECVT” has almost nothing in common with your typical belt/pulley design, as used by Nissan and Subaru. It’s a planetary gearset that uses the input RPM of a secondary small electric motor to give you variable gear ratios. This transmission design traces its heritage to the Prius; Toyota calls it a “Power Split Device”. The drone you’re hearing is a *good* thing - the 2.5L ICE is able to sit at its exact power peak when you’re accelerating. I would trust the rather ancient 2.5L 4-cylinder in the Escape more than the 1.6L in the Hyundai. Ford’s engine here is largely a Mazda design from the late 2000s, but with modified valve timing to run an Atkinson cycle. It’s a little annoying to work on but it has a really good track record for reliability. And Hyundai has had issues with their GDI designs over the years. Carbon buildup and the like. It would have been better to compare the Escape Hybrid AWD model (not a PHEV) to the Tucson Hybrid. Much more apples-to-apples.

I'm going for Escape.

But there is the matter of the awd though... What if one has a long *long* slightly sloped driveway in the country, and it snows like stupid.... Other than that, I love you guys' positive vibe!

Both vehicles are very fuel efficient. For me I just don't really like the styling of the front end of the Escape. It reminds me of an old Taurus and just looks very plain. I much prefer the styling of the Tucson so with most everything else being equal I would probably choose the Hyundai.

Was wondering how the heater on the escape works when you are in electric mode?

I have the Tucson Hybrid SEL convince which is a little bit less than the limited but I have the AWD system and this thing flys but I did not see any video towing whit this SUV and I wish someone do a video showing the capabilities

Would love to get some metric units on the specs going forward for your Canadian viewers great video otherwise.

I absolutely love my Ford Escaped 2022 SEL PHEV. Love everything about it. Also love that its build UNION and made in America. Ford is definitely doing something right, it just hired 6000 new workers to build EV’s …. Looking forward to Ford and it making EV’s better and better.

So winter test actually doesn't involve driving on fresh snow? 😂

Touch buttons are way easier to clean

I definitely go for the the Escape, but why Ford do that in its PHEV: no AWD! CVT ! Less HP than gas ! No Turbo! Atkinson! If they kept the above as in its gas version, then it would be an amazing car. Why rav4 has 300 hp compared to escape with 220 hp !

Great video but why you comparing these two. No comparison. I was a Fore guy until November 2020 when I traded my new 2020 Explorer Limited for a new 2020 Chevy Silverado. Explorer was a piece of junk that two year olds could have put together better. Wife had a 17 Explorer Limited and traded for a new 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited that she loves but due to a great deal and offer traded for a new 2022 Genesis GV70. I have a work vehicle which is a 2020 Ford Escape SE and it is not bad but Hyundai and Genesis so much better quality built and better driving experience than Ford products. Oh and get way more features for less money.

Why can't I have them both?? I guess I would have to test drive each one before I answer but the AWD sounds better imo.

You would be touching the ceiling in the Ford if the roof panel was closed.

When I test drove the Ford and set my seat to a comfortable position, the HUD was obscured by the steering wheel. I adjusted the wheel to try and compensate and no bueno. For me that HUD was uselessly in a bad spot. I’m 5’10”

I'm hearing the plug-in hybrid don't use EV-mode and just run gas when the weather is at or below freezing. Can you confirm this?

if the fuel economy is priority Escape phev or hev is superior

Hyundai builds some nice vehicles with decent prices and solid warranty coverage. I just wish Hyundai built their vehicles here in the states instead of just their engines. Having owned a 2017 Escape Titanium 2.0 Awd. The vehicle was fantastic and felt like I was driving a car. I recently test drove an ice versions of the 2022 Tucson and a 2021 Escape Awd titanium finding both to be outstanding small SUVs with the Escape having a more car like feeling and a better Interior even though I'm not a fan of how the infotainment screen sets on the dash or the limited camera angle of the Ford's camera. I know your review covered hybrid power plants, but the gas powered 2.0 Escape gives you more power than the gas powered Hyundai which gives you a better feeling when merging in traffic or passing another vehicle. The SEL Tuscan I test drove had an MSRP over $35,000 while the left over 2021 Escape's MSRP was just under $39,000. Comparing warranties, the Hyundai wins hands down. But from my test drive and having owned a previous Escape 2.0 Titanium, while comparing both vehicles exterior and interior design, interior comfort, technology and in my case the gas power train. I would purchase the Ford Escape. I've seen the new Escape to be sold in China. I'm confused why Ford doesn't offer the same upcoming 2023 design and amazing interior that will be offered in China which includes a full dash infotainment screen and a redesigned body. Thanks for your hybrid review and perspectives. The information provided for the Hybrid models from both brands was extremely helpful. I agree with your Escape selection, but disappointed the plug in didn't offer Awd. The Tucson is a nice Suv, but personally it didn't feel its built as well as the Escape or as comfortable.

It’s funny how all, really ALL car testers first laugh about the „sport“ mode in a PHEV SUV, until they try it out.

What I wanna know is if anyone's thought it worth the 15k premium to jump to the Lincoln corsair GT, sans fancy tech package...

What does the Escape PHEV use for cabin heat when the gas engine isn't running?

Tucson all the way. All I can give is my experience, owned Ford my entire life up until a year ago, had 5 turbos go out in our explorer still under warranty because the vehicle had less than 45,000 miles on it with all services completed on time. Ford finally got to the point where they gave up on fixing it and left my family and I stranded as we were on our way from Texas to Oregon because I had just retired from the army after 21 years and we were finally headed home. Ford basically said oh well sorry about your luck, take us to court when you get where your going. I traded both my Fords in (explorer and raptor) even though the Raptor was running ok, it was just because of how they treated us, we traded the Ford for a Hyundai and wayyyy more bang for the buck. No issues and very helpful staff at Hyundai, I always swore I would only own American until American companies stopped standing behind their products.

I just can’t get behind Hyundai using tiny turbo-charged engines in those things. Combine that potentially lower reliability with Hyundai’s poor track record with engines, and it’s not the most confidence-inspiring in terms of reliability.

Tucson rear seats recline, do the Ford rear seats?

Rav4 Prime awd is the best in this segment.

Q: How should I load my car? A: Get as much of the weight just behind the front wheels. Check!

As much as I don’t like Hyundai, it’s less expensive, more powerful, and has more payload. The 800lb payload on the Ford is nothing. Can’t even carry 4 adults and luggage/cargo. I easily carry 250-300lbs at a time, which allows for 3 people max. I’d probably pass on both of them..

Tucson all the way

back seats Tilt in Tucson...and Heated,,:)

I like the Tucson Hybrid more for exterior looks, interior, a real transmission, and price.

I would chose the Tucson over anything else any day of the week; and I have. The discussion about buttons is, in my humble opinion, a non discussion. I don't use the volume setting on the central display at all; that is only for the passenger (and they should not mess around with my sound settings anyway ;)). Nice video, although I don't agree with your choice at the end. But we agree to disagree on that, I'm sure.

Is there an overheating of the four wheel drive clutch? Tell me who knows!

Ill take the Tuscon.

Great review. Although I am in love with the Koreans vehicles. But with the looks the Ford is way much beautifully than the Hyundai Tucson.

Definitely the Tuscan!

I normally would say the ford is better but 6 speed auto is much better in terms of maintenance and will last longer.

I’ve never owned a Korean or a Ford car or truck, but If I did, it will be a Korean. Domestic American brands are junk and I’ve seen so many buyers moving to Japanese or Korean brands. I just purchased a 2022 RAV4 Hybrid XSE and it’s the best Hybrid crossover in the market.

Had two escapes over the last 8 years. Just traded our 2018 escape in and got a new Tucson..... won't go back!!!!

You still use a volume knob??? Dating back to 2004, all my cars have had a toggle switch, for volume, on the steering wheel. No one using a knob anymore, or shouldn't.

Piano black plastic is just... eww.

Not a fan of that Ford front end, my opinion is the Hyundai looks better.

You should test both similar cars. Get UNLIKE

These are both mini-truck platforms.

You forgot 1 crucial problem with the Ford.......it's a Ford

Only 40mpg thats it😂😂😂 my 1997 vw passat 1.9 tdi 4motion gets 40 city combined and with my mpg tune 55 highway. Hybrid diesel electric with hydrogen is much better.

Fords interior quality is cheap looking, feel and doesn’t hold up over time. Ford’s mechanical quality has been so bad it has resulted in many class action lawsuits over the last recent years. Thus Ford is not on my purchase list. Time will tell.

No comparison at all. One plug in and the other not. Get serious. And Tucson back seat recline. You knew nothing about the Tucson. I laughed at ford spinning. Unless on ice and snow. Grab go Hyundai better