Despite the surge in popularity of electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles are thriving more so than ever before. One of the best on the market is the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid. But the hybrid powertrain is an expensive option in the CR-V so is an alternative like the 2024 Ford Escape Hybrid a good option?
Performance
Engines – The Honda CR-V Hybrid is equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine which produces 145 hp & 138 lb-ft of torque (108 kW & 187 Nm) on its own. With the aid of electric motors, the total output of the CR-V Hybrid is 204 hp & 247 lb-ft of torque (152 kW & 335 Nm).
The 2024 Ford Escape Hybrid utilizes a larger 2.5L 4-cylinder engine which produces 163 hp & 155 lb-ft of torque (122 kW & 210 Nm). Total output is 192 hp (143 kW) however, Ford does not list the combined torque figure of the engine and electric motor.
Both crossovers weigh roughly the same at 1,785 kg (3,935 lbs) for the CR-V and 1,771 kg (3,904 lbs) for the Escape. With the extra bit of grunt, the Honda CR-V Hybrid feels a bit more peppy off the line or while driving down a highway. The Ford Escape Hybrid doesn’t feel slow per se, but it gives the impression that it doesn’t like to travel at around 100 km/h (62 mph) down a highway. It feels more at home doing 70-ish km/h (43 mph). There is a Sport mode for sharper response but this will not be so good for the fuel efficiency.
Both are capable of accelerating from a stop to normal city speeds just on the electric motors with a nearly fully charged battery but it’ll be a slow acceleration. There will definitely be some tailgaters behind you if you attempt this. Under normal driving conditions, both will accelerate with the engine running and whilst being aided by the electric motors. Once you reach the desired speed, the engines will shut down and the electric motors will maintain the speed until the batteries get closer to being depleted. After which, the engine will turn on to provide continuous propulsion as well as recharge the battery.
The Ford Escape Hybrid can tow up to 1,500 lbs while the Honda CR-V Hybrid can tow up to 1,000 lbs.
Fuel Economy – Where these two crossover SUVs really shine is at the gas pumps. The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid is rated for 6 L/100km (39.2 MPG) in a city and 6.9 L/100km (34 MPG) on a highway. The 2024 Ford Escape Hybrid is rated for 5.6 L/100km (42 MPG) in a city and 6.5 L/100km (36 MPG) on a highway. The great thing is that both are more fuel efficient than they’re rated. I managed to squeeze 4.9 L/100km (48 MPG) out of the 2024 Escape Hybrid and 5.5 L/100km (42.7 MPG) out of the 2024 CR-V Hybrid. Interestingly, I was able to get better fuel economy out of the Honda than I did when I last drove it a year ago. I’m not sure why it’s the case but perhaps it’s due to the warmer temperatures this second time while driving it. The Escape’s fuel economy is roughly the same as when I last drove it in my comparison against the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid.
Transmissions – Both crossovers use eCVT automatics to control the power of the engines. The one in the Ford Escape Hybrid behaves like a traditional CVT. As in, it holds the engine’s rpms for a prolonged period until the driver lifts their foot off the throttle pedal.
In the CR-V Hybrid, it behaves more like a traditional automatic by replicating virtual gears. However, there is no way to control these virtual gears.
Braking – The brakes on both crossover SUVs perform similarly in emergency situations. The only difference I noticed was the slight transition from regenerative braking to the physical brakes in the Ford Escape. But otherwise, both stopped in a reasonable distance and the brake pedals didn’t do anything strange such as moving on their own while recuperating energy.
Speaking of which, both can recoup energy through braking at a higher rate. The Ford has an “L” mode which provides more regen braking when lifting your foot off the throttle pedal and the car is smart enough to apply more regen when the car is going down steep hills. The Honda has paddle shifters on the steering wheel which allow the driver to control different levels of regen braking. However, in D, the regen setting is reset after a few seconds. But if you change the gear selector from D to B, it’ll lock the regen setting. This will also happen if the car is switched to Sport mode.
Handling – Both crossovers are available with an AWD system. In the Ford, it is optional while in the Honda, it is standard. At least for the Canadian market. In the United States, it’s optional on all trims except for the Touring which is standard.
Neither car is particularly enjoyable to drive as they were not designed with sporty driving in mind. They both have a lackluster steering feel, body roll, and understeer through corners. These are, however, easy to drive on your way to work, or to pick up the kids from school, or on a long family road trip.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – This new generation of the Honda CR-V sits on a slightly longer platform than the last. What this means is that not only is there more interior space, but the ride is a bit better than before. The harshness of road bumps is smoothed very well by the suspension. The Ford Escape Hybrid is pretty comfortable too when driving over potholed streets. But the ride is slightly more bouncy over certain roads or when driving over expansion joints at the end of a bridge.
I also found the seats in the CR-V Hybrid to be a bit more comfortable. Maybe Ford did something to change the seats in the Escape since I last drove it in 2021, but this time around, I found the bottom cushion to be a bit too firm when compared to the CR-V seats.
Interior Space – Interestingly, the Ford Escape Hybrid has a slightly longer wheelbase than that of the Honda CR-V Hybrid. But it’s the Honda that has more interior space. Headroom and legroom for front occupants is nearly identical between both. The difference in interior space is more evident in the back seats. Behind my 6’4” driving position, my knees do not touch the back of the front seats in the CR-V Hybrid. However, they do in the Escape Hybrid. But thankfully, the Escape’s front seats have an indentation in them that allow for about an inch more legroom so my knees don’t feel too squished. The rear backrests can recline in both but those in the Honda recline much more. Additionally, the rear doors open at almost 90 degrees in the Honda.
Further differences between the interior volume of these two hybrids can be seen in the trunks. The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid has 1,028 L (36.3 cu-ft) of space behind the second row while the 2024 Ford Escape Hybrid has 974 L (34.4 cu-ft) of cargo space. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded, the CR-V Hybrid has 2,030 L (71.7 cu-ft) while the Escape Hybrid has 1,722 L (60.8 cu-ft). The Escape Hybrid has a spare wheel under the trunk floor while the CR-V Hybrid only comes with a tire repair kit.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – Of the two, the Honda has a quieter overall cabin. There’s less road, wind and engine noises intruding into it than the cabin of the Escape Hybrid. This CR-V was also equipped with snow tires, which are generally louder than the all-season tires which were equipped on the Escape, and yet the cabin was still quieter on highways. But, if the engines needed to work hard while driving up a steep hill or merging onto a highway, the engine in the Honda made a far worse racket than the engine in the Ford.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The big change to the pricing of the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid is the availability of the hybrid powertrain on lower trim levels. In the previous model year, if you wanted a CR-V Hybrid, your only option was to get the $48,275 CAD ($40,800 USD) Touring trim. This year, it’s available on the EX-L trim which will save you… $2,000 CAD. That’s it. In the United States, the hybrid powertrain is available on more trim levels with the Sport being the least expensive at $34,350 USD.
The 2024 Ford Escape Hybrid is available on a wide range of trim levels. The least expensive is the ST-Line which starts at $40,849 CAD ($33,490 USD). However, at the other end of the spectrum, a fully loaded Platinum trim such as this demo vehicle, will cost more than the CR-V Touring Hybrid. This Escape Hybrid Platinum costs $51,729 CAD ($40,620 USD).
Gadgets – The most notable gadget in the Ford Escape is the large 13.2” infotainment touchscreen which displays the SYNC 4 infotainment system. The system runs smoothly and has crisp & clear graphics. The menu structure is fairly intuitive, especially if you’re already familiar with Ford’s SYNC system. However, this new screen does incorporate the climate controls which used to be physical buttons before this Escape received a mid-cycle update. I’m not a fan of placing commonly used items, such as climate controls, on a touchscreen.
Other gadgets in the Escape Hybrid include a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats with a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless phone charging pad, a head-up display that is projected on a piece of glass (or plastic) that rises from the dashboard, leather upholstery, surround view cameras, B&O sound system, a 12.3” digital driver display, power liftgate, keyless entry & push button start.
The Honda CR-V Hybrid does not have such a large infotainment screen. It’s only 8” in size with the Touring trim receiving a 9” screen. The infotainment system is just as easy to navigate as the one in the Ford and both systems support wireless CarPlay & Android Auto.
The CR-V is equipped with broadly the same convenience features as the Escape Hybrid but there are some differences. For example, it only has a standard sunroof instead of a panoramic sunroof. It does not have a head-up display nor surround view cameras but it does get heated rear seats.
Interior Design – Ignoring the lack of physical controls in the Ford Escape, the interior has the minimalist design language that is very much in trend these days. The steering wheel retains the physical buttons as do the exterior light controls to the left of the steering wheel. The materials in the Escape Hybrid are ok but they do look a bit … inexpensive compared to the materials in the CR-V.
Speaking of which, it has physical controls for the climate and the rotary dials have a satisfying click as they turn. The buttons and knobs feel premium, almost like they’re out of an Acura model. It is evident why the Honda CR-V has a higher starting price than the Ford Escape.
Exterior Design – The CR-V Hybrid looks aggressive. It receives 18” black alloy wheels and dual exhaust tips but the small trim pieces on the lower portion of the front bumper are black instead of silver as they are on the Touring trim.
The updated styling of the Ford Escape gives it more sharp lines then the pre-facelift model year. The front fascia sees more changes than the rear including new headlights, grille and a light bar that stretches from headlight to headlight.
Safety – Both vehicles are well equipped with safety & driver aids as standard. Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and keep, blind spot sensors, adaptive cruise control, and so on.
The differences are with the IIHS crash tests. The 2024 Honda CR-V received a Top Safety Pick award while the 2024 Ford Escape did not. The Escape only received a Marginal score on the updated side impact test while the CR-V scored a Good score. Interestingly, the Honda received a Poor score on the moderate front overlap updated test while the Ford received a Good score.
Warranty – Both vehicles are covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km new vehicle and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty while the hybrid components are covered by an 8 year / 160,000 km warranty. For more information about Honda’s Canadian warranty, click here. For information on USA warranty, click here. For more information on Ford’s Canadian warranty, click here. For USA warranty, click here.
Conclusion – Overall, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid is still the better overall crossover SUV. However, even though Honda did make the Hybrid powertrain available on a lower trim level for the Canadian market, this is still an expensive vehicle. If you just need a fuel efficient hybrid crossover SUV without any garnish, the Ford Escape Hybrid along with a bunch of other crossover hybrids from the likes of Hyundai, Toyota, & Kia are all available at lower prices. But I still maintain, just like in my other review, if you have the budget for this CR-V, I would go with this.
Thank you to Honda Canada for providing the CR-V Hybrid. www.Honda.ca
Thank you to Ford Canada for providing the Escape Hybrid. www.Ford.ca
2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid Gallery
2024 Ford Escape Hybrid Gallery
