Ford Escape vs Toyota RAV4

The Escape and RAV4 are two compact SUVs known for their reliability and amenities, but which one is better for your drives around Cerritos, Long Beach, and Anaheim?

To help answer that question, our team at Norm Reeves Ford Superstore Cerritos created this 2018 Ford Escape vs Toyota RAV4 comparison. We’ll go over their similarities and differences, so you can decide which is right for you. Feel free to contact us today to learn more.

Ford Escape vs Toyota RAV4 Performance Specs

The 2018 Ford Escape comes standard with a 2.5L Duratec iVCT I-4 engine that delivers 168 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. For even more power, you have two additional engines to choose from:

1.5L EcoBoost® I-4: 179 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque
2.0L EcoBoost® I-4: 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque

The 2018 Toyota RAV4, meanwhile, has just one engine option: a 2.5L 4-cylinder that delivers 176 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque.

But they can both achieve up to an EPA-estimated 23 city/30 highway MPG,* so you can spend more time driving around town and less time stopping at the gas station to refuel. They can also both tow up to 3,500 pounds, so you can bring a small camper, ATV, or whatever else you want to take to your next excursion.

Interior Space & Amenities

The Escape and RAV4 offer lots of space for five passengers, especially those sitting up front. For instance, the Escape offers 39.9 inches of front headroom and 43.1 inches of front legroom. In comparison, the RAV4 has 39.8 inches of front headroom and 42.6 inches of front legroom.

2018 Ford Escape Interior They both come standard with cloth seats, and the 2018 Escape has available leather-trimmed seating. The 2018 RAV4, however, has optional SofTex®-trimmed seats. This is a synthetic material, and many believe it doesn’t look as nice as the leather seats in the Escape.

Furthermore, to get in that perfect position behind the steering wheel, the Ford Escape has an available 10-way power driver seat. The Toyota RAV4 has just an 8-way power driver seat in its highest trim level. As a result, you may not get as comfortable as you could in the Escape.

Cutting-Edge Technologies

Both SUVs come standard with advanced infotainment systems that display many media options (SYNC® in the Escape and Entune™ Audio in the RAV4). They also come standard with CD/MP3 players along with Bluetooth® technology to stream audio or make hands-free phone calls.

Additionally, the Escape offers SYNC® 3, which features Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™. By plugging your compatible smartphone into the vehicle’s USB drive, your podcasts, music, text messages, and more will appear on the display screen.

Unfortunately, the RAV4 doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay™ or Android Auto™ in any of its trim levels.