The 2025 Ford Escape vs. Honda CR-V Showdown

The 2025 Ford Escape and Honda CR-V are two of the top compact SUVs on the market. Each year, there are more up-to-date features, improved fuel efficiency, and trims to cater to all your needs. In this guide, our Titus-Will Cars team provides a car features comparison to help you identify where these vehicles differ in terms of technology, fuel economy, and cabin space so you can decide which car is better for you.Empty Paragraph

The 2025 Ford Escape offers a diverse range of powertrains, including a 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine that produces 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque. There's also a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that delivers 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, a 2.5-liter hybrid engine that generates 192 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, and a plug-in hybrid variant that produces 210 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the Escape's towing capacity ranges from 1,500 to 3,500 pounds, depending on the engine and configuration.

The 2025 Honda CR-V has two engine options: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque and a 2.0-liter hybrid system producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. The CR-V has a maximum towing capability of 1,500 pounds.

With its greater range of engines and better towing capacity, the Escape is a more capable SUV than the CR-V. The Escape's horsepower and maximum towing capacity exceed those of the CR-V, which means that it performs better in terms of power and versatility. While the CR-V focuses on fuel economy and smooth handling, the Escape concentrates on performance and usability. It's the top pick for drivers looking for a capable yet comfortable drive.

The 2025 Ford Escape's 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine delivers 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, while the hybrid gets an estimated 42 mpg city and 36 mpg highway and the plug-in hybrid an estimated 101 MPGe combined. The 2025 Honda CR-V's 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivers an estimated 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, and the hybrid produces 43 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The Escape plug-in hybrid offers the best electric-only range and fuel efficiency with low operating costs.

Ford and Honda prioritize safety with comprehensive standard safety and driver-assistance features. Both vehicles include an advanced airbag system to help protect you and your passengers in a collision. The Escape includes Ford Co-Pilot360, which offers automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Similarly, the CR-V is equipped with Honda Sensing, which features collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

In crash testing, the 2025 Ford Escape received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned 'Good' ratings in most Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) categories. The 2025 Honda CR-V also achieved a five-star overall NHTSA rating and selection as an IIHS Top Safety Pick, reflecting its strong performance in crash tests.

While both SUVs offer robust safety features and high ratings, the Ford Escape's comprehensive safety suite and strong crash-test performance make it a top choice for safety-conscious buyers.

These compact SUVs have spacious, well-crafted interiors, but the Escape offers greater flexibility and everyday usability. It provides up to 104 cubic feet of passenger space, with sliding second-row seats that let you prioritize legroom or cargo capacity as needed. The Escape delivers 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and expands to 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. High-quality materials and smart design details enhance the overall cabin experience.

The 2025 CR-V offers slightly more passenger room at 106 cubic feet, with a total cargo space of up to 76.5 cubic feet. While both models feature comfortable seating and intuitive controls, the Escape's adaptable layout and efficient use of space make it a top pick for those seeking comfort and convenience in a compact SUV.

The 2025 Ford Escape and Honda CR-V offer modern infotainment systems, but the Escape provides a more advanced and feature-rich experience:

• Ford Escape: Equipped with the SYNC 4 infotainment system, the Escape offers an 8-inch touch screen on base models and a larger 13.2-inch display on higher trims. It features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an available B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with 10 speakers. Additional amenities include a wireless charging pad and FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot.
• Honda CR-V: The CR-V comes standard with a 7-inch touch screen and a 160-watt audio system with four speakers. Higher trims offer a 9-inch touch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and an upgraded 320-watt audio system with eight speakers. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster and multiple USB ports are also included.

The Ford Escape's larger displays, premium audio system, and additional connectivity features provide a more comprehensive infotainment experience than the Honda CR-V.

The Ford Escape features a refreshed exterior design with a redesigned front grille, sleek LED headlights, and sculpted lines that enhance its aerodynamic profile. Customization options include various alloy wheel designs and stylish exterior accents, allowing you to personalize your vehicle's appearance. The Ford Escape offers a palette of exterior colors, including Agate Black Metallic, Carbonized Gray, Space Silver Metallic, Vapor Blue Metallic, Oxford White, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, and Star White Metallic Tricoat.

The Honda CR-V showcases a rugged design with a long wheelbase and wide stance. Features such as gloss-black alloy wheels and dual chrome exhaust finishers add to its sporty appeal. The Honda CR-V has eight exterior colors: Canyon River Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Solar Silver Metallic, Meteorite Gray Metallic, Urban Gray Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic, and Still Night Pearl.

When you're ready to shop for a 2025 Ford Escape, stop by and see our team at Titus-Will Cars. We're here to answer your questions, show you available trims and features, schedule a test-drive, and review financing options tailored to your needs. Visit any of our eight convenient locations in Tacoma, Olympia, and Lakewood, or complete our secure online form and send it directly to our Director of Customer Care to start your purchase.