The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid Has 1 Win Over the RAV4 Hybrid
Passing on the Ford Escape Hybrid for the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid could be a mistake! The new 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid has a fresh look with upgraded tech and a few secret advantages to consider. But the most significant advantage comes to savings at the fuel pump.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 44 mpg in the city and up to 41 mpg on the highway. That’s an excellent fuel economy, but adding all-wheel drive may reduce these figures by about one or two mpg.
With the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, you get an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city and up to 38 mpg on the highway. So, the Escape Hybrid beats it by a few miles per gallon. The margin of victory is small, but the Escape Hybrid is still the more efficient option.
The 2023 Escape Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an 88-kWh electric motor to crank out 200 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.7 seconds.
With the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid, you get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with two electric motors to generate 219 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. It can reach 60 mph in about 7.4 seconds.
Both SUVs could benefit from sportier handling.
Does the Escape Hybrid have better features than the RAV4 Hybrid?
The 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid could be more comfortable than the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Edmunds noted that the Escape Hybrid has a smooth ride, a quiet interior, and well-padded front seats. The rear seats are spacious and comfortable too.
While the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is pretty smooth, it has a slightly bumpier ride, and engine noise is noticeable at highway speeds. While the seats are spacious, the bottom cushions are a bit flat. Also, the passenger seat lacks adjustment controls.
Both models can be equipped with AWD. The Escape Hybrid can tow up to 2,000 lbs, and the RAV4 Hybrid can tow up to 1,750 lbs.
The RAV4 Hybrid provides 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear and up to 68.9 cubes overall. With the Escape Hybrid, you get 37.5 cubic space behind the back seats and up to 65.4 cubes in total.
Both of these hybrid SUVs have a practical interior with a convenient layout. They start a little spartan, but moving up in trim levels provides access to faux leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and dual-zone climate control.
How much does the 2023 Escape Hybrid cost?
You can get started with the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid for about $29,840. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid kicks things off at about $30,725. These are the MSRPs, so the prices don’t include the destination fee or dealership markups.
The Escape Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid are close in multiple areas, such as power, price, and layout. However, both have advantages to consider. For example, the RAV4 Hybrid has slightly more cargo space, and the Escape Hybrid is a little more comfortable.
But the Escape Hybrid has a better fuel economy than the RAV4 Hybrid, giving it one significant edge. It was also recently remodeled to have a more confident look and modern interior, while the RAV4 is starting to show its age.
