2023 Escape vs. 2023 CR-V in Bedford, VA
Compact crossovers are popular with many individuals, couples, and small families. They offer that desired high driving position and ample space in a relatively small road footprint. As you'd imagine, there's a lot of choice in the market. Finding the best compact crossover can be daunting. Two famous examples are the 2023 Ford Escape and the 2023 Honda CR-V.
The 2023 Escape is based on the fourth generation, which was introduced in 2020. It's built in Louisville, Kentucky, and received a facelift for the 2023 model year. Meanwhile, the 2023 CR-V is an all-new sixth-generation model built in Honda's Greensburg plant in Indiana.
How do the 2023 Escape and 2032 CR-V stack up in pursuit of the best compact crossover crown? Let's do an Escape vs. CR-V comparison and evaluate their respective interior, performance, and safety offerings to find out.
Interior Comparison
The 2023 Escape and the 2023 CR-V are compact crossovers and will easily fit five average-sized adults in their passenger cabins. Both passenger cabins measure around 103 cubic feet, making this a close race. It's a similar story with their cargo volumes, which hover around the 35 cubic feet mark, give or take a smidge.
While the 2023 CR-V brings a handsome mesh-effect design across its dashboard, reviewers have noted that the 2023 Escape's dashboard and interior materials feel more upmarket and comfortable to the touch. The 2023 Escape also offers an 8-inch touch screen on lower trims, which is better than the 2023 CR-V's 7-inch unit. All 2023 Escapes run Ford's latest Sync4 software, which also features automatic OTA updates.
Furthermore, higher trims of the 2023 Escape can be optioned with a spacious 13.2-inch touch screen, which is decidedly better than the 9-inch maximum size offered by the 2023 CR-V. Other options on the 2023 Escape include a 10-speaker B&O sound system, a heads-up display, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
2023 Ford Escape
2023 Honda CR-V
Performance Comparison
The 2023 Escape offers an array of four powertrains to suit a myriad of needs. Two gasoline engines are on offer. These are a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder with 181 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.0-liter with 250 horsepower. The more powerful engine was timed at just 5.7 seconds in Car and Driver's zero to sixty testing regime. An eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard. An all-wheel-drive system is an available option.
There are two hybrid variants, one of which is a plug-in hybrid. Both see a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor to develop 210 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid variant can also travel up to 37 miles on electric power alone. A CVT gearbox sends power to the front wheels, but an all-wheel-drive system can be optioned on the regular hybrid if desired.
In contrast, the 2023 CR-V offers just two powertrains. There's a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 190 horsepower or a hybrid variant. The hybrid variant combines a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with two electric motors for a system total of 204 horsepower. Drivetrain choices are front-wheel drive with an optional four-wheel-drive system, and the gearbox across the range is a CVT.
Safety Features Comparison
The 2023 Escape and the 2023 CR-V offer a high specification of standard safety features. These include automated emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, eight airbags, stability control, and daytime running lamps. The 2023 Escape also includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as standard.
Find the 2023 Escape in Bedford, VA
The results are in, and the 2023 Ford Escape is the best compact crossover you can buy. It's got enough space, tech, powertrain options, and safety for every buyer. Why not swing by Berglund of Bedford Ford GMC in Bedford, VA, and check it out yourself?