Ford Escape PHEV vs. RAV4 Prime - Plug-in Hybrid POV Comparison

2021 Ford Escape PHEV SEL
MSRP: From $35,815
Range: 37 mi battery-only, 520 mi total
Horsepower: 221 hp
Engine: 2.5 L 4-cylinder
Tire size: P225/60R18
Towing capacity: 1,500 lbs
Curb weight: 3,870 lbs

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE
MSRP: From $41,675
Range: 42 mi battery-only, 600 mi total
Tire size: P235/55R19
Towing capacity: 2,500 lbs
Horsepower: 302 hp
Curb weight: 4,300 lbs
Battery charge time: 12h at 110V, 4.5h at 220V

0:00 Walkaround
7:49 Ford Escape Driving Impressions
15:31 Rav4 Prime Driving Impressions
21:17 Final Thoughts

The audio in this video was recorded with in-ear binaural microphones, headphones are highly recommended!

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[officialyasir]

Dang, Topher is so dedicated to giving us the best reviews, he even rented a baby for testing.

[PlanetLinuxChannel]

Just got the 2024 Escape PHEV, which has a re-styled exterior and interior design and slightly upgraded screen, but essentially the same guts and powertrain. Really loving it thus far!

[chrischeng]

I got my Ford escape phev in Vancouver BC last October, It does come with spare tire on top of 12V battery. I was considered Rave4 prime but have been told have to wait for 1 to 2 years to get it, so I went for escape phev since they had few stocks in their showroom. So far loving it.

[Cheychey]

Thanks for this video! These are close for me but am still leaning towards the ford. Can’t get over the sticker shock of the RAV4. I also like the exterior of the ford better & see countless RAV4’s daily which makes owning one less appealing.

[JFlogerzi]

RAV4 Prime is going to be our next Family car!

[Zangle]

Having owned a 2016 Escape for two years before a suicidal moose walked in front of her one morning, I am unsure I would own another. The airbags never deployed and the roof came within an inch of decapitating her. She has had all kinds of medical issues, some from a previous accident years ago, and that one made what was wrong with her already, worse.

The fit and finish were horrible! The reliability was okay at best. We bought it new with only 13 miles and when it was totaled 2-years later, it had 38k miles. There were uneven panel gaps, the body panel coloring did not match from one panel to the next, though that could be due to the silver color. A friend who works at a body shop said silver is one of the hardest colors to match one panel to the next if not done in the same spraying session, which factory mass-produced cars are not.

The transmission was never right, always like it had the wrong gear and the electrics had some minor issues, especially in the cold weather.

To finish on a good note, the AWD system was absolutely amazing and never once got stuck in the harsh Alaskan winters.

[FreedomToRoam]

We had our 2009 Escape Hybrid w front wheel drive here in Wisconsin until it was totaled this month. And I agree about winter driving - it never got stuck with it’s winter tires on. And it did well with light trails, too.

[deanh]

After getting out of the winter and driving it a few months our Rav4 Prime EV only mileage maxed out at 56 miles. Most of the NY year we average 48-50 miles.

[richardk]

The rear seat in the Escape is adjustable forward and backward.
I have owned 9 new Fords since 1997 and have never taken one back for warranty service.

[davesutherland]

Good overall comparison review. However, as at least one other reviewer commented the lack of AWD on the Escape could hurt its resale value - especially if they bring a AWD option out in a year or two. But, if you plan to keep your car till it dies (as I usually do) then FWD is generally fine for most people.

[CarlKettler]

I just bought a RAV4 two months ago. I carry more stuff than people. I was just barely able to squeeze a stack of 6 foot tables behind the front seat. I don't think the Ford could've done that without leaving the tailgate open. Rear seat legroom is less important for me. I drove a 2006 Prius for about 12 years and often didn't feel safe with the front-wheel drive in snow and ice. The slightly larger wheels vs. the Ford should also help in winter driving. My use fits your model for the PHEV, mostly local, EV-only, but I've already had three 1, 000+ mile road trips in 2 months. Leaving the house with a full battery and a full tank I can go 400+ miles before I stop for gas. I averaged 111 MPG with the last fill-up thanks to mostly EV-only local driving. Best of both worlds. The Toyota is rated much higher for trailering, so if I want to rent a scissor lift on a trailer I can bring it to a job site without needing to rent a truck. Also - knitpicking, you referred to the "leather" interior in the Toyota. It's faux leather. Nice, but nothing like real animal leather. Overall, I'm very happy with my choice of the Toyota, and after the Prius, being able to push on the accelerator in sport mode to navigate around traffic feels like I'm in a sports car.

[alannguyen]

The roof rack on the rav 4 prime is 100% the reason why you're experiencing less MPG than the rating.

[deu]

Rav4 prime for me. Love the power and interior plushy ride

[s.j.]

The Ford escape can be ordered with the spare tire for approximately $100 and it fits right over the battery underneath the trunk.

[FelixBouchardDetail]

This guy deserves more views amd subscribers. He is so good at this!

[freddiecarr]

Great review---wish it could have neen lower model Rav 4 . I built an RAV4 XSE same color with the premium package---$ 50, 450.00---1 in stock but black ext within 50 miles of 91773. Rav only comes with a black interior. I built a Ford escape Titanium with most expensive package--$ 41, 190. None in stock within 200 miles. Also---the $7500 rebate should be expiring next month for the RAV 4. Looks like I'm keeping my 108, 00 mile Clarity a little longer.

[levtsarev]

@TheTopher the rear seat in the Escape also adjusts forward/backward so you can adjust how much space is behind the seats. There’s a lever up front underneath the seat just like a manual passenger seat. I was shocked at how good the eCVT is in the Escape Hybrid!

[chelseaxhf]

I prefer the Escape's infotainment system and price point!

[Instegone]

Good video comparison. I originally wanted the Rav4 Prime XSE with Premium package but with dealer mark-up it would have been almost 60k. Opted for thr Escape Phev Titanium with Premium Package and was able to use the Ford X-Plan and I paid around 42k. I do wish the Escape had the surround camera and the 6.6kw charging though.

[julienmorand]

Great review, quick note; I ordered the SEL version of the Escape and I understand that full LCD gauge cluster comes as an option. It's standard in the Titanium model. Otherwise, the standard gauge cluster looks very similar to the Rav 4's with the analog speedometer and a smaller LCD in the middle.