2025 Ford Escape vs. 2025 Honda CR-V

The 2025 Ford Escape features a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette that emphasizes modern design and practical utility. Its front fascia is clean and confident, especially in ST-Line trims with black accents and mesh grilles. With available 18-or 19-inch wheels, black roof rails, and a panoramic Vista Roof, the Escape offers both visual appeal and daily convenience. A hands-free power liftgate and customizable trim finishes give drivers flexibility in both function and style. The 2025 Honda CR-V leans into a more upright, rugged appearance with a broad grille, chiseled lines, and an athletic stance. Wheel sizes range from 17 to 18 inches, with gloss black or Shark Gray alloys on upper trims. A power tailgate and roof rails are available, though many features are limited to higher trims. The CR-V's slightly higher ground clearance (up to 8.2 inches with AWD) adds mild off-road potential, particularly in the TrailSport trim. While both SUVs deliver a mix of style and utility, the Escape's refined body lines, modern trim distinctions, and broader availability of practical features give it an edge in functional, everyday design.

Design and Exterior specs for the 2025 Ford Escape and 2025 Honda CR-V:

The 2025 Ford Escape stands out with one of the most diverse powertrain lineups in the compact SUV segment - offering something for nearly every type of driver. It starts with a 1.5L EcoBoost® engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, available in both FWD and AWD. For drivers seeking more muscle, the Escape's 2.0L EcoBoost® delivers 250 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with AWD and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds when equipped with the Class II Trailer Tow Package. Efficiency-minded shoppers can choose the 2.5L hybrid, generating 192 horsepower combined and returning up to 42 MPG city and 39 MPG combined. The available plug-in hybrid version increases total system output to 210 horsepower and achieves an impressive 101 MPGe combined, with an EV-only driving range ideal for short daily trips.

The 2025 Honda CR-V also offers variety, with a 1.5L turbocharged gas engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, and hybrid models pairing a 2.0L engine with two electric motors for a combined 204 horsepower. CR-V hybrids reach up to 40 MPG combined, but Honda's lineup lacks a turbo AWD performance option, and towing tops out at 1,500 pounds - half the Escape's maximum.

Whether you're looking for performance, efficiency, or utility, the Ford Escape offers greater powertrain flexibility than the Honda CR-V. Its available turbocharged engine delivers class-leading towing, while the plug-in hybrid gives you excellent electric range without sacrificing practicality.

Powertrain & Capability Comparison:

The 2025 Ford Escape delivers a versatile and well-equipped interior tailored for comfort and functionality. Gas and hybrid models offer up to 104 cubic feet of passenger volume, while plug-in hybrid models provide around 102 cu. ft. of space. Rear passengers enjoy up to 40.7 inches of legroom, and the Escape's sliding second-row seats offer greater flexibility for balancing cargo and passenger needs. Gas trims provide up to 65.4 cu. ft. of cargo space, while hybrid and PHEV versions offer a still-capable 60.8 cu. ft. A power liftgate and available panoramic Vista Roof® enhance daily convenience. Technology is another standout. All Escape trims feature the SYNC® 4 infotainment system with a standard 8-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Higher trims offer a large 13.2-inch center display, digital instrument cluster, 10-speaker B&O® sound system, and a wireless charging pad, making high-end tech available across much of the lineup - not just the top trims.

The 2025 Honda CR-V also emphasizes passenger comfort with up to 106 cu. ft. of passenger space and 41 inches of rear legroom. It offers more cargo room, with up to 76.5 cu. ft. when the rear seats are folded. Entry-level CR-V trims come with a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims include a 9-inch display, wireless smartphone integration, and a 12-speaker Bose® premium audio system. A digital instrument cluster is also available on select trims.

While the Honda CR-V offers slightly more passenger and cargo space, the Ford Escape stands out with a more advanced and accessible tech package across more of its trim levels - especially with its larger available touchscreen, SYNC® 4 system, and upscale audio options that come in at lower price points.

Comparison Table: Interior & Technology

Both the 2025 Ford Escape and 2025 Honda CR-V prioritize driver safety with robust suites of standard and available driver-assist technologies. The Escape comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360®, which includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, and a Rear View Camera. Available upgrades expand the system further with Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Evasive Steering Assist, and a 360-Degree Camera. The 2025 Honda CR-V features the Honda Sensing suite across all trims, offering similar technologies such as Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keeping Assist. Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Monitor are included starting on most trims, and features like Parking Sensors and Low-Speed Braking Control appear on upper trims. The Escape's Ford Co-Pilot360 delivers a consistent level of safety across more trim levels, making advanced driver assistance more accessible without requiring top-tier packages.

Comparison Table: Safety & Driver Assistance

The 2025 Ford Escape offers a range of fuel-efficient options across its lineup. The 1.5L EcoBoost® gas engine earns an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined (FWD), while the 2.0L EcoBoost® AWD comes in at 26 mpg combined. The Escape Hybrid (available on ST-Line and ST-Line Elite) delivers up to 39 mpg combined (FWD) and 38 mpg combined (AWD), combining efficiency with capability. For drivers seeking electric flexibility, the Escape Plug-In Hybrid offers 101 MPGe combined combined and supports approximately 37 mpg combined when using gas and electric together. Drive modes (Normal, Sport, Eco, Slippery) and fuel tank sizes from 14.3 to 15.7 gallons vary by trim and drivetrain. While the PHEV is front-wheel drive only and tows up to 1,500 lbs, the 2.0L AWD model with tow package allows up to 3,500 lbs - giving the Escape class-leading flexibility in towing for a compact SUV.

The 2025 Honda CR-V also performs efficiently. Its 1.5L turbo gas engine delivers 30 mpg combined (FWD) or 29 mpg (AWD). The hybrid version earns 40 mpg combined (FWD) and 37 mpg (AWD). A plug-in hybrid version is not currently offered in the U.S. CR-V hybrid trims offer multiple drive modes and a 14.0-gallon fuel tank, with up to 1,000 lbs of towing capacity.

Comparison Table: Fuel Economy & Efficiency

The 2025 Ford Escape lineup begins at $29,515 for the Escape Active FWD and expands to a variety of trims offering sport styling, hybrid efficiency, and premium amenities. Notable trims include the ST-Line ($30,360) with sport-inspired design, ST-Line Select AWD ($33,195) with hybrid availability, and the upscale Platinum AWD ($35,310) with a standard 13.2" touchscreen and AWD. The Escape Plug-In Hybrid starts at $37,400, combining electric-only driving with advanced tech like SYNC® 4 and Ford Co-Pilot360.

The 2025 Honda CR-V starts at $30,100 for the LX trim and progresses through the EX ($32,350), EX-L ($35,000), and a well-equipped hybrid lineup. The Sport Hybrid ($34,650), Sport-L Hybrid ($37,650), and Sport Touring Hybrid ($41,100) offer competitive fuel economy, premium features, and advanced tech like a Bose® audio system and hands-free power tailgate in upper trims.

The Escape's trim lineup gives buyers more flexibility in choosing gas, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid configurations at lower starting prices. Combined with broader AWD availability, high-end tech across more trims, and class-leading towing, the 2025 Escape stands out as one of the most versatile compact SUVs on the market.

Comparison Table: 2025 Pricing & Trim Highlights

When choosing between the 2025 Ford Escape and Honda CR-V, both compact SUVs offer strong appeal - but the Escape ultimately stands out as the more flexible and feature-rich option. With four available powertrains - including gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid - the Escape provides unmatched variety for drivers prioritizing efficiency, power, or electric driving. It also leads in towing capacity (up to 3,500 lbs), integrates advanced tech like the 13.2" SYNC® 4 touchscreen across more trims, and includes Ford Co-Pilot360 safety features standard. While the CR-V excels in hybrid fuel economy and interior cargo space, many of its best features are locked behind higher trims, especially for AWD and hybrid models. The Escape offers broader value across its lineup, from the entry-level Escape Active to the tech-forward Plug-In Hybrid.

Ready to explore what the 2025 Ford Escape has to offer? Visit Dorian Ford in Clinton Township, MI, or schedule your test drive today and experience why this compact SUV delivers the balance of performance, efficiency, and technology you're looking for.