Starting at
Starting at
| 181-250 | Horsepower (hp) | 190 |
| 190-280 | Torque (lb-ft) | 179 |
| 3,500 | Towing (lbs) | 1,500 |
The compact SUV segment is fiercely competitive, with remarkably efficient, comfortable, affordable options crowding the market. Ford and Honda are in the thick of the competition with their popular crossover SUVs, each of which is packed with convenient features. These compact SUVs have a lot of similar features, but they certainly aren't the same. Comparing the 2022 Ford Escape vs 2022 Honda CR-V will reveal a number of differences that may come as a surprise. Though this comparison will focus on the gas-powered models available, it bears mentioning that each SUV can also be purchased as a hybrid across several trim levels, although only Ford offers the 2022 Escape as both a plug-in and a standard hybrid.
As compact SUVs, the 2022 Escape and 2022 CR-V seat five passengers with flexible cargo space that expands when the rear seats are folded down. Gas-powered trims for the Escape include the entry-level S, the popular SE, the slightly more sporty SEL, and the luxurious Titanium. For the CR-V gas-powered trims, Honda starts out with the entry-level LX, slots in a Special Edition model as the second trim, continues with the mid-level EX, the leather-interior EX-L, and finally the top-tier Touring.
Standard features begin in the entry-level trims, each of which starts with 17-inch wheels, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel, a manual liftgate, and powered windows and door locks. Both SUVs come with a generous suite of standard driver-assist safety features, technology for pairing and charging smartphones, and numerous automated features for vehicle stability and safety. Options for upgraded features like a Panoramic Vista Roof in the 2022 Escape or the Powered Moon Roof in the 2022 CR-V are part of the fun you can have when building your own SUV. Each of these SUVs has a lot to offer buyers, from a spacious, comfortable interior to all-wheel drive capability.
Buying an SUV of any size should mean you get the advantage of interior space that's comfortable for passengers in any row of seats and has lots of room for cargo. Ford understands this aspect of SUV ownership and gives buyers of the 2022 Escape a convenient sliding rear seat that will allow rear-seat passengers to adjust for either more legroom or a larger space for cargo. While Honda offers a cavernous space for cargo with all the seats folded, there is no way to adjust the rear seats to accommodate the cargo or passengers better. This intelligent choice from Ford doesn't require too much out-of-the-box thinking since we are accustomed to front seats being adjustable in this way—why not the rear seats, too?
It's worth mentioning that the 2022 Escape also has more legroom overall than the 2022 CR-V, a factor that should be considered while shopping. Taller passengers will be more comfortable in the Escape in both front and back, especially when you consider that the two vehicles offer nearly identical headroom, with the Escape providing a bit more in the rear seats. Another convenience most people like to have for both cold and hot weather comfort is remote start, a feature offered in both SUVs. Choose the 2022 Escape, and the remote start feature is available for the entry-level S trim, though Honda doesn't make it available until you range into the second-tier Special Edition trim.
Features you can expect to find in both SUVs include conveniences that make the interior more luxurious, like ambient lighting, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. Having the ease of entry that comes from an available hands-free liftgate is an option for both SUVs as well, though Ford does make it available in the SEL trim while buyers of the Honda will have to buy the most expensive Touring trim to gain this feature. Another ease-of-entry feature now in high demand is keyless entry with push-button start, and it's a convenience included for each compact SUV. This is called Intelligent Access from Ford or Smart Entry from Honda, and both SUVs offer this feature for the second trim level.
One thing buyers often want with an SUV is the capability that comes with having a vehicle that rides higher off the ground than a car and the availability of all-wheel drive. Fortunately, Ford and Honda provide available all-wheel drive across all trim levels of the 2022 Escape and 2022 CR-V, and fuel economy won't suffer much from the choice to add it, thanks to fuel-saving engines on both sides. That, however, directs attention to one of the larger differences between these two compact SUVs: engines. Ford offers two engine options, while the CR-V only has one. Though the CR-V drives capably and with great ride comfort, its engine doesn't offer the kind of power you find in the Escape.
If you plan to tow a small trailer, you can do that easily with either of the engines in the 2022 Escape. Starting with the standard 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, this powertrain makes 181 hp with 190 lb-ft of torque and can tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped. Optional on the SEL and Titanium is the more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, which makes 250 hp with 280 lb-ft of torque. When you choose this engine, you automatically get all-wheel drive and a higher towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Both of these engines are paired to a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, and all trims get standard equipment like an electric parking brake, front and rear skid plates to protect the undercarriage, and curve control for less roll when cornering.
Compare the capability of the 2022 Escape to the 2022 CR-V, and this is where Honda really lags behind Ford. Though Honda's 1.5-liter turbocharged engine makes 190 hp with 179 lb-ft of torque, it is only rated for towing up to 1,500 pounds. That's a significant difference in comparison to the Escape, especially if you regularly tow a small camper or boat for vacations or weekend getaways. Though the CR-V does offer a standard electric parking brake, you won't find any undercarriage protection from skid plates. Honda does offer its own version of Ford's curve control with its vehicle stability control system, but overall the 2022 Escape offers more powerful engines with more towing capacity that will make a difference when you have all the seats filled and the cargo bay loaded.
From the complex technology of driver-assist safety features to the simplicity of plugging in your smartphone, buyers today expect a lot of tech in their vehicles. The 2022 Escape and 2022 CR-V are both loaded with technology, even in entry-level trims. Looking first at safety technology, both Ford and Honda provide a bevy of driver-assist features to help prevent or mitigate accidents. Ford gives the Escape standard CoPilot360, a suite that includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, a Lane-Keeping System, and BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert to manage blind spots on the road. Also included in the suite is the convenience of Auto High-Beam Headlamps, and Ford adds Post-Collision Braking as a means of preventing a second accident from the momentum of an initial accident.
In comparison, Honda makes standard its Honda Sensing suite, which includes similar features like a Collision Mitigation Braking System, a Road Departure Mitigation System, and Lane-Keeping Assist System. Honda, like Ford, includes Auto High-Beam Headlights but adds Adaptive Cruise Control to its roster of features included in the suite. Depending on which feature you value more, Adaptive Cruise Control or BLIS, each has its merit in safety on the road. Of course, both SUVs gain access to more driver-assist features in upper trims. Honda offers an available Blind-Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Monitor, while Ford makes available its Active Park Assist 2.0, which semi-autonomously parks your SUV. In tandem with that last feature, Ford also makes available its Park Out Assist that can help you get out of a parking space when someone else parked too close. Honda doesn't have any semi-autonomous tech in the CR-V.
Infotainment systems will have a few similarities as well, with both SUVs starting with a small screen and a basic system for accessing settings and the audio system, but Ford starts with USB ports in both rows so four devices can be charged at once. Honda only provides one charging port and a 12V outlet to start. Ford has standard features like FordPass Connect, which includes a WiFi hotspot that can allow up to ten devices at once, while Honda doesn't make it possible to have HondaLink until the CR-V's second trim level.
In upper trims, the 2022 Escape can option the Bang & Olufsen audio system with ten speakers, but Honda doesn't offer a specialized audio system. It does upgrade to more speakers, but it won't be the premium system like B&O. You will find wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and navigation systems in upper trims of both SUVs, but Ford's SYNC 3 system far out-performs that of the Honda, which tends to be less intuitive and doesn't have physical knobs. In this arena, the 2022 Escape simply offers more.
Are you ready to buy your new 2022 Ford Escape? Come to DePaula Ford, where you'll have a large selection of new vehicles available to test drive and experience in person when you visit our dealership on Central Avenue in Albany. Our sales staff have all the latest details about the new 2022 models, and we are excited to walk you through all the trim levels and packages to help you discover the perfect SUV for you. Once you decide on the right model, our expert financial team can put together a plan that works comfortably with your monthly budget so you can relax and enjoy driving.
Our relationship doesn't end after you buy your 2022 Escape. Here at DePaula Ford, we are ready to take care of you and your SUV for many years to come. Regular maintenance will be part of how we continue to help you enjoy your vehicle, and our service techs are factory trained to handle all the latest technologies Ford builds into their vehicles today. You can rest easy when you bring your vehicle to us for your oil changes and inspections, and we're always here to answer any questions you have about your SUV. We look forward to serving you at your next visit to DePaula Ford, where we welcome you to stop by six days a week. Buy your 2022 Ford Escape today!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
