The Specs:
| 2016 Ford F-150 | vs | 2016 Chevy Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 3,270 | Max Payload | 2,180 |
| Yes | Advanced gasoline turbo direct-injection engine: | No |
| 6 Speed Automatic | Transmission | 6 Speed Automatic |
| 19 MPG | Fuel Economy (City) | 18 MPG |
| 26 MPG | Fuel Economy (Highway) | 24 MPG |
| 77 Cubic Feet | Storage Volume | 76 Cubic Feet |
These days, almost every family finds itself in need of a crossover SUV. Whether it is to take kids to school, transport bulky furniture or just to get to work on a snowy day, an SUV is indispensible to the modern suburban lifestyle. A compact SUV is a compromise between those needs and the desires of a more modern sort - exciting performance, high-tech gadgets, stylish and comfortable interior and top of the line fuel economy. The Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V are the epitome of compact SUV design; they are stylish, comfortable and modern while still packing plenty of utility space and all-terrain capabilities. We've compared the 2016 Ford Escape and the 2016 Honda CR-V to see which of the two is the better compact SUV.
Performance
Both the CR-V and the Escape have plenty of cargo and passenger space, so it is important that they have the power to get the car moving when all of that space is filled. The Honda's 2.4-liter four cylinder engine is sufficient for the job, though its 185 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque don't necessarily leave too much room for excitement. Ford, on the other hand, offers three engine options on the Escape: a smaller and more economical 2.5-liter four cylinder, a 1.6- liter turbocharged four that is roughly on par in power and torque to the CR-V's engine and a doughy 2.0-liter EcoTech turbocharged four cylinder that produces an impressive 240 horsepower that leaves its Japanese opponent behind in the dust. Rounding out the Escape's performance credentials is a six-speed automatic transmission that is noticeably more responsive than the CR-V's continuously variable transmission.
The 2016 Ford Escape 2.0L EcoTech turbocharged engine
Interior: Comfort and Design
A look at the interior quickly summarizes the differences between the design aesthetic of the Japanese manufacturer and the American one. The interior of the CR-V is rather spare, bland and utilitarian, with the accents being mostly of hard plastic. The Escape, on the other hand, is designed in wide swooping lines with contrast accents that make it very clear that you are sitting in a modern vehicle. Passenger comfort is also the Escape's game.
Both cars offer almost identical amounts of interior space for both front and rear seating positions, but the differences manifest themselves in the design of the seats. The CR-V uses soft seats with little bolstering, while the Escape sports very comfortable and supportive sedan-style seats that feel just perfect when the car's 240 horses get going.
Technology
All modern cars are expected to have a certain level of technology and both the Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V deliver on it. Among features found on both cars are touch screen infotainment, Bluetooth, rear view camera, blind spot monitoring, sunroof and navigation systems. The Escape does have a few tricks up its sleeve that the Honda does not, such as the foot-activated hands-free tailgate, but the big difference is in how the technology is integrated. Ford has already been lauded for its MyFord Touch infotainment control system and the new iteration, called Sync 3, is even better in every way, from interface response to voice controls.