Honda CRV or Ford Escape

[RadiclDreamer]

Ok, I've narrowed my car purchase choices down to the Honda CRV or the Ford Escape. I like the Escape better from a looks and comfort level, but the JD power ratings are making me a little nervous. The CRV pounds out 4-5 stars in everything while the Escape is 2-3 in everything. Anyone more informed than myself care to weigh in on things?

 

[jlee]

I'd go RAV4, mainly due to the spiffy 276hp V6. However, between the two of them...a buddy of mine had an Escape and from what I recall, he didn't like it at all. I work with someone who has had several CRVs and she liked them, so based on that I'd go CRV. I don't have any personal experience, though.

What years are you looking at?

 

[RadiclDreamer]

2011-2012, definitely new. Im curious what they didnt like about it?

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I just checked the JDPower for the RAV4, it gets low ratings right along with the escape

 

[jlee]

2011-2012, definitely new. Im curious what they didnt like about it?

I don't recall specifically...it was also not new.

 

[ss284]

One vote for the CRV. My sister recently purchased one and I tagged along when she was shopping. The primary thing that stood out for me was the great build quality, and how the buttons felt solid. I've driven it a few times, and its a pretty great DD.

 

[ShawnD1]

I just checked the JDPower for the RAV4, it gets low ratings right along with the escape

No way. I refuse to believe Toyota would make low quality products where the transmission completely fails in less than 2 years.

If you're buying new, buy a Honda. Buying a new Ford just seems silly because they lose 99% of their value the second they drive off the lot. You can find a 1 year old Ford in the bargain finder for half the price.

 

[krunchykrome]

Definitely the CRV. I own a 2008 CRV EX AWD. It's not especially fun to drive, but it does everything right. Good mpg, awd, cargo space, easy to drive, safe, reliable, cheap to insure, comfortable.

I think the newer models have 180 hp (mine only has 166). It's still more than enough power for passing on the highway. You can't go wrong with the CRV.

 

[caspur]

I have a few 2011 Ford Escapes and 1-2 left over 2010s. They smell funny (even when new), the fuel economy is terrible, they don't handle particularly well, and I never quite figured out why they have folding mirrors that don't fold.

Interesting note: Car and Driver never gave me credit for their Ford Escape test car I gave them two years ago.

New RAV4 (without the spare in the back) is supposed to be better than the old one. Haven't driven one of those yet.

 

[skyking]

If they would fix the visibility issues on the CRV we'd buy one. I sit tall and cannot see past the visor at a traffic light without craning my neck. the cutoff is just too low for a guy with a long body.
We like our Pilot but not for the fuel economy, that is for sure.

 

[desy]

The Escape is a really old design
I'd go look at an Equinox instead, much newer design

 

[KDKPSJ]

There are plenty others to consider, but if it's really between two, CR-V.

 

[Sid59]

Ford Escape is ancient and Ford didn't even bother with giving it the interior refresh like their other vehicles. It's due for a replacement.

If any or more of these entice you about the Escape:
one of the cheapest SUVs to insure
not-even-good interior
option for a tow packaging that increases tow load.
probably score a really good deal vs a limited supply of CRVs

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Keep in mind, I dont really care about looks. My biggest concern is reliability and a good ride, gadgets are also very nice.

 

[CptCrunch]

My wife drives a 2009 Mercury Mariner (cousin to the Escape) and we love it. 22MPG average (she drives 60 miles a day highway) and has plenty of power out of the V6. (get the 2009 or later for the better V6 and 6 speed transmission). Its gone camping, hauled 3k worth of crap, winters, "off road" (4WD system), everything just fine. The build quality is good, not great, and the interior is hard plastic. But load flat floor, good visiblity, and small at 175 inches long, its smaller than a previous gen Toyota Corolla. We test drove a CRV and Rav4 and didn't like either (CRV too slow, Rav4's rear door). But that V6 in the Rav4 was sweet.

 

[Arkaign]

Escape is definitely a weak spot in the Ford lineup.

CR-V out of those two, Equinox is definitely worth a look in that segment as well. If you can live with the i4 Equinox, you'll get good fuel economy and what is a very well reviewed/rated vehicle. I'm not a big fan of the CRV though, kinda liked it better when it was a smaller more nimble vehicle. It's bloated up a ton, along with the Rav4.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I went to test drive the CRV today and despite the better ratings I was MUCH more impressed with the escape, it had better power, better features, better ride and was still cheaper. Honda may have better ratings, but my choice is the Escape because of ride quality and features.

 

[Jumpem]

I wouldn't consider either over an Outback.

 

[exar333]

Escape is definitely a weak spot in the Ford lineup.

CR-V out of those two, Equinox is definitely worth a look in that segment as well. If you can live with the i4 Equinox, you'll get good fuel economy and what is a very well reviewed/rated vehicle. I'm not a big fan of the CRV though, kinda liked it better when it was a smaller more nimble vehicle. It's bloated up a ton, along with the Rav4.

The Equinox is a good choice if you go basic; the higher-trims and AWD push the price too high in my opinion. The i4 version sips fuel and is pretty decent to drive.

Having driven both the Escape and the CRV, I prefer the CRV. The Escape is really gutless for a i4, but it is pretty comfortable. The CRV drives better, has a little more power than the i4 Escape, and is built very solid.

None of these vehicles, are very good once you pass about $24-25k IMHO. The AWD system in the CRV is atrocious. If you want a more comfortable and equipped small SUV, go for a new or slightly-used Edge, Murano, or Forester.

 

[LTC8K6]

The AWD system in the CRV is atrocious.

You aren't going by that popular youtube video, I hope.

 

[ShawnD1]

You aren't going by that popular youtube video, I hope.

A few of the comments on that youtube video said the AWD system sucks until you turn off the traction control.
The back wheels on a CRV are powered with something similar to a torque converter; the back wheels only get power if the front wheels are spinning faster than the back wheels (meaning the AWD system is off 99.999% of the time). The traction control system prevents the front wheels from spinning, which also means the back wheels don't get any power. Once the traction control is turned off, the front wheels can spin, the difference in speed between front and back will transfer power to the back wheels, and the back wheels will start to spin as well.

It's one of those new fangled systems where the thing seems broken until you read through the instruction manual and ask people how to use the damn thing. I let my mom borrow my car last winter and she thought I should take it to a mechanic because "the power cuts out from time to time"

 

[exar333]

A few of the comments on that youtube video said the AWD system sucks until you turn off the traction control.
The back wheels on a CRV are powered with something similar to a torque converter; the back wheels only get power if the front wheels are spinning faster than the back wheels (meaning the AWD system is off 99.999% of the time). The traction control system prevents the front wheels from spinning, which also means the back wheels don't get any power. Once the traction control is turned off, the front wheels can spin, the difference in speed between front and back will transfer power to the back wheels, and the back wheels will start to spin as well.

It's one of those new fangled systems where the thing seems broken until you read through the instruction manual and ask people how to use the damn thing. I let my mom borrow my car last winter and she thought I should take it to a mechanic because "the power cuts out from time to time"

All great points.

The AWD for the CRV is poor, even when 'configuring' the car correctly to actually use it. It is a tacked-on feature that works pretty poorly in the snow. If you read AWD reviews, it is pretty much the worst system around. Ironic because the Honda SH-AWD is one of the best around.

It's not worth the money and hassle, period.

 

[SandEagle]

crv or rav4. drove a rav and reAlly liked it. better styling than a crv and escape. i know a dude who bought an escape last year and bragged about how awesome it was. he even tried to impress me by flooring it to show me the pickup on it. turns out now the trans is busted lol. only 26k miles on it too.

 

[ShawnD1]

i know a dude who bought an escape last year and bragged about how awesome it was. he even tried to impress me by flooring it to show me the pickup on it. turns out now the trans is busted lol. only 26k miles on it too.

Fucking automatic transmission man. I've said it before and I'll say it again - they break because they suck. My corolla's transmission lasted about as long as your friend's escape. Mine died at something like 45000km, which is about 28k miles. The tranny in my friend's jeep grand cherokee (v8, not v6) sounds like it's about to explode under full throttle.

A few years ago it was possible to get a CRV with a manual. I don't think they make those anymore.

 

[mmntech]

Have you checked out the Hyundai Tucson? They're pretty decent.

I've driven the Escape once and I wasn't impressed with it, and I usually like Fords.