Crossover SUVs have taken the automotive industry by storm. Most automakers now offer hybrid powertrains, like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Honda CR-V, which are two popular compact hybrid SUVs. Both models are highly-rated, however, the Ford Escape offers several distinct advantages over the Honda CR-V.

1. Better Pricing

According to Kelley Blue Book, “the value-packed Ford Escape Hybrid is one of the most affordable and efficient options in compact hybrid SUVs,” with pricing that starts at $30,185. The 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid is slightly more expensive, with an MSRP of $32,010 for the base model and $32,450 for the Sport trim. The Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid edition starts at $38,600.

The starting price for the Ford Escape SE plug-in hybrid is $35,455, with the SEL hybrid trim starting at $32,550 and the SEL hybrid plug-in variant costing $38,190. The top-of-the-line Titanium hybrid trim starts at $35,095, with the plug-in variant starting at $40,700. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV is one of the few vehicles still eligible for the $7,500 tax credit, making it one of the most affordable models in the EV market.

2. Better fuel economy

The five-passenger 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid offers better fuel efficiency than the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid.

The base Ford Escape compact SUV utilizes a hybrid 2.5-liter iVCT Atkinson-Cycle inline-four engine paired with an eight-speed electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). The engine generates 200 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque, offering an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 41 mpg combined. The optional AWD variant offers 40 mpg combined.

In comparison, the Honda CR-V Hybrid has a 2.5-liter hybrid in-line four-cylinder engine paired with an eCVT transmission that pumps 212 hp and 129 lb-ft of torque. The compact SUV offers an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 38 mpg combined, which is marginally lower than the Ford Escape Hybrid.

3. User-friendly technology

The 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid offers a better infotainment system that is more intuitive than what is found in the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid. The Escape offers a SYNC 3 system with an 8-inch display screen, two USB ports and a WiFi hotspot. It is also compatible with SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, making the interior cabin a comfortable environment for passengers.

The infotainment system in the Ford Escape Hybrid also provides larger text, which is easier to read than the Honda CR-V Hybrid display, and features more practical control knobs and buttons.

According to Consumer Reports, both vehicles are comparable, coming within two points of one another on road tests and offering eight-year/100,00-mile hybrid battery warranties.

However, the auto reviewer claims, “The Ford Escape Hybrid is a more enjoyable SUV to take on a spirited drive. It’s a bit quieter, has a far more user-friendly infotainment system, and gets very good fuel economy. And it’s impressive that Ford has made the full complement of advanced safety equipment standard across the Escape line.”