Ford Escape vs Toyota RAV4

Small SUVs like the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4 do a little bit of everything well. Need to commute by yourself back and forth to work? These are comfortable machines that get impressive gas mileage. Have some passengers to take with you for errands or a night out? Again, no problem. There is even some space in the back to store cargo for the drive.

Buying a small SUV is a great choice if you can benefit from the versatility and value that vehicles in this category offer. Both the Escape and RAV4 are worthy contenders, which is why we’d like to compare them in the article below. Evaluate the features and benefits of these popular models and move closer to deciding which one you want to own.

The Fundamentals Match Up

There is a reason we chose to line up these two vehicles next to each other in a comparison article. They are very similar, and the numbers prove it. Everything from price and gas mileage to drivetrain and horsepower is all very close. If you simply measure these two vehicles by the stats alone, you’ll have a hard time picking one over the other.

There are a couple of spots on the spec sheet where you can start to make some headway on a comparison, however. The Ford Escape has slightly more legroom, especially in the back seat. Since the back seat in some small SUVs can be rather cramped, finding even a couple of additional inches is a big deal. If you are going to be doing some driving with adults in your back seat or even older children, the added legroom is a huge plus.

With the RAV4, you’ll find that there are a couple of extra cubic feet of storage in the cargo area. That’s not actually a significant difference, but it is something to note if you tend to need a lot of space to pack up luggage or bring things home from the store. Given the choice, however, most car buyers would prefer to have the extra legroom over the minor cargo space upgrade.

More Engine Options in the Ford

Those who decide to purchase a RAV4 are left with just a single-engine option. That’s not a problem if you happen to be happy with the engine that comes standard, but those who want some choices should steer toward the Escape and its three engine options. To maximize fuel efficiency while still getting around town without any trouble, the modest 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine will do the job nicely. Impressively, this engine still puts out 181 horsepower, which is good performance for such a small engine.

If you are looking for more power under your right foot, consider upgrading to one of the four-cylinder engines. There is a 2.5-liter hybrid engine that gets up to 200 horsepower and a 2.0-liter standard gas engine that maxes out at 250 hp. Being able to pick from three quality engine options will make it easier to wind up with an Escape model that matches up nicely with what you want from your small SUV.

Contrasting Looks

We aren’t going to declare a winner in terms of the appearance of these two vehicles, as everyone is free to have their own opinion on what looks best. Regardless of your opinion on what is appealing, everyone can agree that these two vehicles look quite different. With the Escape, the lines are softer and rounded, and it would easily fit into the crossover category thanks to its overall shape. On the other hand, the RAV4 looks a little bit more like a “true” SUV, with squared-off lines and a flatter front grille. While they are almost identical in size, the RAV4 tends to look a little bigger thanks to that styling approach. Again, this isn’t a matter of one being better than the other, but be sure to factor in the aesthetic component when doing your shopping.

Should you decide that a Ford Escape is right for you – which would be a wise decision – Tuscaloosa Ford will be happy to help you make the purchase and get out on the road right away. We have an excellent reputation for dealing fairly with our customers, and the knowledgeable staff you work with will put your mind at ease. Look at our inventory online today and contact us for assistance. We are here to help!

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