Looking for your first car, or need a great handling compact SUV to add to your family’s vehicle lineup? You’ll find that today’s Ford Escape is a perfect fit for your active lifestyle. With its 1.5L engine (2.0 liter EcoBoost® engine available for even more power), ease of handling and 4 trim choices, the Ford Escape offers a solid option in this category.

Actually, today’s Ford Escape comes in 7 configurations, including:

• S
• SE
• SE 4WD
• SEL
• SEL 4WD
• Titanium
• Titanium 4WD

(The all-new Ford Escape is going to offer even more configurations, including hybrid models that we’ll discuss in a moment.)

Handling, Horsepower & Towing Capacity

The handling and steering of this vehicle get high marks, and the horsepower that the Ford Escape offers puts it squarely above the Honda CR-V. Ford Escape equipped with the EcoBoost® 2.0L engine generates 245 horsepower; compared to the CR-V’s maximum of 190 horsepower. This difference can mean a lot when you’re maneuvering in traffic on the highway, or if you are towing a boat or trailer. Speaking of towing, let’s take a look at the Ford Escape’s towing capacity versus that of the Honda CR-V:

Ford Escape: 3,500 lbs. of towing capacity when equipped with available 2.0L EcoBoost® Engine and Class II Trailer Tow Package

Honda CR-V: Only 1,500 lbs. of towing capacity

Let’s bring the Chevy Equinox into the conversation. Its towing capacity is 1,500-3,500 lbs. And while we’re talking about both the Equinox and CR-V, let’s look at some features that Ford Escape has, that neither of those other vehicles offer.

Best Features That Ford Escape Has & The Others Don’t

The first is the available Enhanced Active Park Assist. This automatic parking feature is not available in the Chevy Equinox or the Honda CR-V. This Ford Escape feature helps the driver steer into or out of a parking space. It works for parallel parking and reverse perpendicular parking. The easiest way to understand this system is that the system itself will steer your vehicle; you do the braking and the accelerating, and that’s it! This can be a real game changer if you do a lot of city driving; especially if you live in areas where parking is limited or you’re required to move your car frequently.

Another big advantage with Ford Escape is room behind the front seats. When you need to max out your cargo capacity, Ford Escape beats Chevy Equinox with 68 cu. ft. behind the front seats, versus Chevy with 63.5 cu. ft.

Here’s a definite advantage you’re going to like with Ford Escape – it offers more front legroom than Honda CR-V and Chevy Equinox. Look at this comparison:

Front legroom:

• Ford Escape: 43.1”
• Honda CR-V: 41.3”
• Chevy Equinox: 40.90”

Here’s another comparison you may be interested in: the newest Ford Escapes will include a hybrid and all electric models. Chevy Equinox does not offer a hybrid model currently. The Honda CR-V does offer a hybrid version. Let’s look at some of the spec comparisons:

Ford Escape Hybrid (and plug in hybrid) will be offered. Ford says the plug in can go at least 30 miles on all electric power. The mpg for the hybrid Ford Escape is estimated at 40. When compared to the Honda CR-V hybrid, the Honda may come in a bit lower on mpg; but up to the 40 mpg range. Where the Ford Escape hybrid has a distinct advantage is in the 0-60 mph test; it accomplishes the task in 6.5-9.5 secs; the Honda CR-V hybrid does it in 8.8 secs.

Best Combination of Features Makes Ford Escape the Clear Choice

With all of these comparisons inside and out on these vehicles, the Ford Escape offers the best combination of comfort, cargo space, towing capacity, horsepower and (soon to be offered) hybrid capabilities. Right now is the perfect time to test drive a Ford Escape. It’s easy to see why you’d want to choose a Ford Escape and drive away in this capable and comfortable compact SUV from Ford.