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Compact SUVs dominate today's market, with the 2025 Ford Escape and Honda CR-V sitting at the top of many shoppers' lists. Both have their strengths, but the Escape pulls ahead where it counts. From raw power to tech features, the Escape offers serious advantages if you're looking for a new car for your family, weekend getaways, or daily driving. The Escape simply offers more bang for your buck. In this article, we'll get into the details of why you may want to choose the Ford Escape over the Honda CR-V. Performance: The Ford Escape Outperforms the Honda CR-V The 2025 Ford Escape outmuscles the CR-V on the road and has more engine options. The available 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine packs a punch with 250 horsepower compared to the CR-V's 190 horsepower. With its base 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, the Escape hits 0 to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, while the CR-V lags at 8.1 seconds. You'll get more pep in your drive with the Escape. Fuel Efficiency: The Ford Escape Leads the Charge Gas-powered Escapes with the base engine get 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, nearly matching the CR-V's 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. But here's where it gets good: the Escape's larger 14.8-gallon tank (compared to CR-V's 14-gallon tank) stretches your range slightly further than the CR-V. That's fewer pit stops on road trips and more time actually enjoying your destination The Escape's hybrid powertrain gets nearly the same efficiency as the CR-V hybrid models. The CR-V hybrids come in at 40 mpg combined versus the Escape's 39 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive models. Cargo and Passenger Space: The Ford Escape Offers More Versatility Climb into an Escape, and you'll notice it's roomy and practical. Rear passengers get about the same legroom as the CR-V, coming in at 40.7 inches for the Escape and 41 inches for the CR-V. However, the Escape wins with more second-row hip room. Your rear passengers will get 53.3 inches of hip space compared to CR-V's 52.6 inches. It might be a small difference, but it'll add comfort for your passengers in the back. The CR-V's 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space edges out the Escape's 37.5 cubic feet, but the Escape has an advantage with its sliding rear seats. Your cargo space is more versatile with the different ways you can slide the seats. Technology: The Ford Escape Takes the Lead If tech is important to you, you'll love what the Escape offers. Both SUVs have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the Escape's optional 13.2-inch touch screen makes the CR-V's 9-inch display look downright tiny. A bigger display makes it much easier to see navigation and other important information at a glance. The tech advantages don't stop there. Only the Escape offers a head-up display and an optional 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Towing Capacity: The Ford Escape Tops the Honda CR-V You'll get a big advantage by choosing the Escape when it comes to towing. The Escape can haul up to 3,500 pounds — over double the CR-V's 1,500-pound capacity. Even the eco-friendly hybrid models maintain the Escape's advantage. Escape hybrids can pull 1,500 pounds, while CR-V hybrids max out at just 1,000 pounds. Price: The Ford Escape Provides More Value The Escape starts at $29,150, compared to the CR-V's starting price of $30,100. That's an extra $950 you could spend on accessories, gas, or just keep in your pocket. If you're looking for a hybrid model, the CR-V's first hybrid trim starts at $34,650, which is much more than the Escape's first hybrid option at $32,490. Why the Ford Escape Is the Best Choice If you're looking for stronger engine options with excellent fuel economy, you'll prefer the Escape. The sliding rear seat and extra rear hip room also make a huge difference for your passengers. Tech features exclusive to the Escape, such as the bigger touch screen and head-up display, keep you connected and safe. If you do any towing, the Escape also has a massive advantage, offering more than double the CR-V's towing capacity. With the Escape's lower prices, you get great value by choosing the Escape over the CR-V. Experience the Ford Escape at Bird Kultgen Ford Today Nothing beats sitting behind the wheel yourself. Visit our dealership and take an Escape for a spin around Waco. Our team can help you choose the right trim and answer any of your questions. Check out our website to browse our inventory, or contact us to schedule a test-drive. Bird Kultgen Ford isn't just selling SUVs — we help our neighbors find their perfect ride. Stop by and see why so many Texans choose the Ford Escape over the competition.

The 2025 Ford Escape is a highly anticipated compact SUV set to redefine standards in its class. It features several innovative features and expected improvements over the current highly-rated model. In particular, car experts predict significant advancements in gas mileage and overall performance. If you're looking for an SUV and fuel efficiency is important to you, you may wish to consider the 2025 version of this popular vehicle. Read on to discover what we know about this SUV so far. more Explore Efficiency and Power: The 2025 Ford Escape MPG and Engine Performance In keeping with its push for a greener future, Ford seeks to surpass existing fuel economy benchmarks with the 2025 Ford Escape. This is an impressive feat, since the 2024 version already set a high standard. The EPA has not released official numbers for the 2025 model yet; however, industry experts predict approximately a 5%-10% improvement from the 2024 model across all trim levels. Engine Options and Specifications The 2025 Ford Escape offers four powertrain options to cater to various driving preferences: two gas options and two hybrid options. All setups have an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard 1.5-liter three-cylinder includes Ford's Auto Stop-Start Technology to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. If you're looking for a more environmentally friendly option, Ford has you covered. Its 2.5-liter I-4 hybrid option offers 192 total horsepower between the engine and the battery. You can also opt for a plug-in hybrid, which ups the total system horsepower to 210. The robust 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit is the most powerful engine of the lineup, and it delivers an impressive 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. View Inventory Fuel Efficiency Across Models While we're not yet certain of the exact miles per gallon that the 2025 models will deliver, we can gain an idea of what to expect from it by looking at results from the 2024 models. The 2024 Ford Escape's front-wheel-drive 1.5-liter engine achieves an impressive 27 mpg in city driving and 34 mpg on highways. AWD models take a small hit, managing 26 mpg in cities and 32 mpg on highways. Ford has optimized the AWD system in the Escape, so it's likely that the miles per gallon will be better in the 2025 model. The 2024 electric version boasts a combined 105 MPGe. Performance Features One of the exciting new features of the 2025 Ford Escape is the optimized AWD system that detects when AWD would be helpful and when it's not necessary. When you don't need AWD, the vehicle will disconnect the rear driveline and switch automatically to front-wheel drive, improving fuel efficiency. All models still come with four drive modes — Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Normal — to give you more control and use less gas. Despite its several features to promote fuel efficiency, the Escape can still meet basic towing requirements. The hybrid models can tow up to 1,500 pounds, and the gas options can tow up to 2,000 pounds. For maximum towing power, you can opt for a trailer package that raises the maximum towing capacity to an impressive 3,500 pounds. Technological Enhancements The 2025 Ford Escape is ready to captivate drivers with its cutting-edge technology, enhancing performance and ease of use to impressive levels. Top models sport a 13.2-inch touch screen, which is a notable size increase from the 2024's 8-inch system. The vehicle continues to offer Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Alexa Built-in, making hands-free use a breeze. Wireless charging and Ford's SYNC 4 come with the vehicle to ensure you can connect to all your favorite devices. You can also opt for an available B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen. This impressive 10-speaker system (which includes a subwoofer), makes it seem like you're sitting right in the studio while listening to your favorite tunes or podcast. Comparisons and Competitor Benchmarking The Blue Oval has been stepping up its game in interior design. It's not quite at the refined level of the Mazda CX-5 or Honda CR-V yet, but it's getting there. Where this compact SUV really excels is in performance. The 2.0-liter engine packs a punch with 250 horsepower, leaving many rivals in the dust when it comes to speed. For example, the Mazda CX-5's standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers only 187 horsepower. Similarly, the 2025 Honda CRV's standard engine provides 190 horsepower. The Escape offers similar towing capacity for vehicles of this size, yet it promises to do so with exceptional fuel efficiency. Edmunds predicts a monthly estimate of $144/month to operate the 2025 Ford Escape in North Dakota, whereas the average midsize SUV is $195/month. The Ford Escape's cargo space is another standout feature. It offers 34 cubic feet behind the back seats, which expands to a whopping 65 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This capacity is on par with the Chevrolet Equinox, giving you plenty of room for your belongings. Schedule Test Drive Test-Drive the New 2025 Ford Escape at Bird Kultgen Ford in Waco, Texas At our dealership, we are more than just an automotive center; we are your trusted allies in all things automotive. Whether you are purchasing a new car, seeking maintenance, or requiring repairs, our dedicated team is here to provide comprehensive support every step of the way. Our dealership boasts a wide selection of the latest models, vehicles that promise cutting-edge technology, exceptional performance, and superior comfort. We invite you to schedule a test drive today to experience these innovations firsthand and discuss the exciting changes and advancements expected in the 2025 models with our knowledgeable staff.