Starting at
Starting at
| 250 hp | Horsepower | 204 hp |
| 13.2 in | Screen Size | 9 in |
| 3,500 lbs | Towing | 1,500 lbs |
The Ford Escape and Honda CR-V are two of the most popular options in the compact SUV segment. Both have been on the market for many years, providing shoppers with dependable and versatile vehicles that can handle everything from daily commutes to family road trips. But which one is right for you? As you compare the 2025 Ford Escape vs 2025 Honda CR-V, you may be surprised to see just how much effort Ford has put into making its compact SUV the superior choice for the current model year.
Ford has leapt ahead of the competition by offering the Escape with an incredibly high level of modern tech features as well as no fewer than four powertrain options. From powerful turbocharged EcoBoost engines to efficient hybrid options, the Escape is more capable and versatile than ever before. While the Honda CR-V still has a lot to offer, it trails behind the Escape in several key areas while being more expensive to boot.
When it comes to technology, the 2025 Ford Escape stands head and shoulders above the 2025 Honda CR-V. All it takes is just one look inside the cabin to see that this is the case. Honda is lagging when it comes to infotainment technology, especially regarding its interior displays. The CR-V still comes standard with a rather small seven-inch touchscreen for its infotainment system, and the larger screen in the top trims is still just nine inches. In contrast, the Escape comes standard with an eight-inch display, but even the base trim has an available 13.2-inch display. This absolutely massive interface makes it easier than ever to access vehicle and entertainment functions or clearly see your navigation app while driving.
Accessing your favorite apps is also made easier by Ford's inclusion of standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, even in the base trim of the 2025 Escape; these let you connect your phone without needing to plug it in—perfect for days when you are constantly in and out of your car. Ford even doubles down on cutting the cord by offering an available wireless charging pad in every trim of the Escape. Honda also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the 2025 CR-V, but to enjoy these convenient features, you will have to upgrade to one of the top three trims, and you will still be stuck with a much smaller display to view your apps.
If the large infotainment display isn't enough, the Escape also comes standard with an eight-inch digital instrument cluster, which can be upgraded to an even larger 12.3-inch fully digital display. This will provide all your important information in high resolution and full color, with crisp animations. In contrast, every 2025 CR-V uses a hybrid instrument cluster design that combines a smaller seven-inch digital display with an analog speedometer. This does not provide the same level of modern features as the fully digital instrument cluster available in the Escape, demonstrating another place where Ford takes the lead when it comes to technology.
The sound system in the Escape is also notably better than what the CR-V offers. While the very top trim of the CR-V is equipped with a 12-speaker Bose Premium sound system, all of the other trims from Honda are rather disappointing regarding sound quality. In fact, the base trim is only available with an incredibly lackluster four-speaker sound system. In contrast, every trim of the Escape comes standard with a well-rounded six-speaker sound system that can be upgraded to an excellent Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker system that includes a subwoofer for rich sound; this means you can enjoy top-quality audio even in a base model from Ford.
Compact SUVs aren't exactly known for their performance, but Ford is determined to change that perception with the wide array of powertrain options available for the 2025 Escape. While Honda sticks with just two powertrain offerings in the CR-V (a 1.5L turbocharged engine and an available hybrid), Ford provides no fewer than four options for the Escape. The base engine is a 1.5L EcoBoost that delivers a great balance of power, efficiency, and affordability. However, that is just the beginning. If you want more power, then there is a 2.0L EcoBoost, and if you are looking for incredible efficiency, you can choose between a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
Honda's 1.5L turbocharged engine is reasonably competent, offering a respectable 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. However, it is paired with a power-sapping continuously variable transmission, and it only has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lbs, so you won't want the CR-V if you're planning on doing any towing. In contrast, the base 1.5L EcoBoost in the Escape provides 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, and it uses a robust eight-speed automatic transmission, which allows it to tow up to 2,000 lbs. But the real star of the show is the 2.0L EcoBoost, with its impressive 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, which makes it one of the most powerful options in its segment and delivers a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.
These days, hybrid vehicles are more capable than ever. Not only do they burn far less fuel than traditional gasoline vehicles, but advances in electric motor technology have made hybrids remarkably powerful and fun to drive. Both Ford and Honda recognize this and position their hybrid options as the sportier choice. Honda makes its hybrid powertrain standard on the higher Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring trims of the 2025 CR-V, while Ford offers the hybrid as an option on the ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum trims of the 2025 Escape. In both vehicles, the hybrid powertrain offers more horsepower than the base turbocharged engine.
However, Ford goes further than Honda and also offers the 2025 Escape with an available plug-in hybrid powertrain. Plug-in hybrids are a kind of blend between a traditional hybrid and a battery-electric vehicle; while they still have a gasoline engine for long road trips, they also have a large battery pack that allows them to operate on battery power alone for short commutes. Plus, unlike traditional hybrids, you can plug them in to recharge, allowing you to skip the gas station entirely as long as you don't exceed the electric range. With an estimated electric range of 37 miles, the Escape plug-in hybrid can handle most commutes without needing to switch to its gasoline engine.
Ford and Honda have two different philosophies when it comes to customization. Like many Japanese brands, Honda doesn't really believe in giving shoppers the ability to tailor a vehicle to fit their unique needs. While the 2025 Honda CR-V is available in six different trims, there are virtually no options or packages available to customize those trims further. Plus, each of the six trims is only available with one of Honda's two engine options, which can mean shoppers are forced to choose between having the features they want or having their preferred engine type; for instance, if you want the top trim of the CR-V to enjoy features like a hands-free power liftgate and heated steering wheel, then you have no choice but to pick the hybrid powertrain.
The Ford Escape is the exact opposite. It also has six trims, but all of those trims offer a huge number of options and packages that let you really find the vehicle that exactly fits your needs. Further, only the base Active trim and the unique Plug-In Hybrid trim are not offered with a choice of engines; the ST-Line can be equipped with either a 1.5L EcoBoost engine or a hybrid powertrain, while the ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, and Platinum trims give you the choice between a 2.0L EcoBoost and the hybrid. And while the Active may not let you choose your powertrain, you can equip it with options like the Active Premium Tech Pack, which adds premium features like a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10-way power driver's seat.
The best part is that, in addition to this incredible level of customization, the 2025 Ford Escape also undercuts the 2025 Honda CR-V in price. Ford's base model starts at an impressively affordable $28,150 compared to the $30,100 starting price of the CR-V—and that is for a better-equipped vehicle that comes standard with more modern features like keyless entry, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto![a] If you're looking for a more premium option, the top-tier Escape ST-Line Elite starts at just $36,540, while Honda charges no less than $41,100 for its CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid; that's a pretty significant price difference, especially given the advantages of the Escape.[a]
If you are looking for a 2025 Ford Escape for sale, it is time to visit us here at DePaula Ford. At our dealership, you will discover a huge selection of the latest Ford models, including the brand's impressive lineup of modern SUV options. Our team will be happy to walk you through all the vehicles that we have on our lot and show you all the newest features from Ford. When you find something that you like, let us know, and we will set you up with a test drive so that you can experience it in person before you decide if it's right for you.
We are determined to improve every aspect of the car-shopping experience, from finding the perfect vehicle to securing financing. Plus, our certified Ford technicians are here to keep your vehicle on the road for many years to come. When you work with the team at DePaula Ford, you will experience car-shopping the way that it should be. Give us a call or pay us a visit to find the perfect vehicle to upgrade your time behind the wheel!
*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.
