Honda CR-V vs. Ford Escape

The 2016 Honda CR-V provides a strong powertrain, spacious cabin, and outstanding features, easily eclipsing models like the 2016 Ford Escape in the hearts of Boulder and Denver drivers. There are plenty of midsize crossovers to choose from, but the CR-V’s ability to combine performance, comfort, and efficiency — all while achieving outstanding safety scores — place it at the head of the pack, and the 2016 model is no exception.

Powertrains and MPG

Crossovers need to offer enough power to remain sharp and responsive on anything from city streets to off-road trails, all while optimizing efficiency as much as possible.

The 2016 Honda CR-V delivers such performance by combining a state-of-the-art 2.4L four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) across all trim levels. This means that Boulder and Denver drivers will have up to 185 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque at their disposal to ensure agile acceleration and handling, but they’ll still make up to 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway* with FWD.

In contrast, the 2016 Ford Escape offers three engine options that never quite seem to get the balance right. Standard models come with a 168-hp 2.5L four-cylinder offering up to 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway — that’s less power and inferior efficiency compared to the CR-V.

Extra money will equip a 178-hp 1.6L four-cylinder that still only makes up to 23 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. Finally, the available 240-hp 2.0L four-cylinder provides plenty of power, but you’ll need to pay out for an upper-level model and accept only 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Interior

No matter where you look, there’s more space in the 2016 Honda CR-V than there is in the confined cabin of the 2016 Ford Escape. That starts with cargo space: the 2016 Honda CR-V offers 37.2 cubic feet behind the rear row and 70.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. The 2016 Escape provides just 34.3 cubic feet as standard and 67.8 with rear seats folded.

However, the most considerable difference is seen between passenger volumes; there’s up to 104.1 cubic feet in the CR-V vs just 98.1 in the Escape. That means that drivers will have far more room in which to get comfortable. However, they won’t find that those larger cabin dimensions make the CR-V trickier to handle than other midsize crossovers: the CR-V offers a turning diameter of 37.5 feet vs 38.8 with the Escape.

Comfort and Convenience Features

The 2016 Honda CR-V and the 2016 Ford Escape are roughly equal when it comes to comfort and convenience technologies, with both offering a comprehensive range of standard features, plus available amenities such as a power liftgate, touchscreen infotainment system, and blind-spot monitoring system.

However, closer inspection sees the 2016 CR-V pulling ahead by offering superior features at the same level, such as an advanced multi-angle rearview camera instead of the Escape’s basic model. It also provides top-of-the-line features such as GPS navigation and a power moonroof with top trim levels, but the Escape always makes you pay extra for such things.

Safety Features

The 2016 Honda CR-V has performed exceedingly well in crash tests. In fact, it has been named a 2016 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, and it also earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.** In stark contrast, IIHS rated the 2016 Ford Escape as “Poor” in the Small Front Overlap test and “Marginal” in terms of its child seat anchors, while the NHTSA offered only a 4-star rating.

That means that you and your family won’t be as protected in the event of a collision when you drive in a CR-V. However, the team at Honda has also ensured that you’re less likely to encounter an accident by offering a number of driver-assistance features that are not available with the 2016 Escape, including:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Warning
• Collision Mitigation Braking System

The 2016 Honda CR-V Remains a Top Pick in the Midsize Crossover Segment

The 2016 Ford Escape pales in comparison to the 2016 Honda CR-V. If you’d like to see for yourself just what the CR-V can offer, don’t hesitate to come to Fisher Honda in Boulder to arrange a test-drive. We serve drivers throughout the greater Denver area, and we hope to see you soon!

* Based on 2016 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

** Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program (www.safecar.gov). Model tested with standard side airbags (SAB).