The midsize family crossover has become one of the most ubiquitous vehicle categories on the road today, and the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V are two perennial favorites among families. Today we're comparing the 2019 Ford Escape vs Honda CR-V. The Escape has some significant updates for this model year, whereas the Honda is almost identical to 2018's model due to its more recent redesign. So which two-row crossover comes out on top? We're going to take a look.

Powertrains & Driving

Both the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V employ turbocharged engines in their lineup, but there are some differences to their implementation. The Ford Escape SE (the base trim that you'll find at dealerships) comes standard with a 1.5l turbo, while the base Honda CR-V LX comes with a standard 2.4l four-cylinder engine. Horsepower and torque is similar between the two engines, but the Ford wins out for its greater efficiency.


Honda's 1.5l turbo remains standard on the EX trim and above, and provides 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, Ford's 1.5l turbo makes 179 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. However, only the Escape offers a more powerful engine option.

The 2.0l turbo that comes standard on the Ford Escape Titanium puts out 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. This is a significant increase in power, and makes the Ford Escape Titanium much more spirited to drive compared to the comparable Honda CR-V Touring. 

When it comes to driving, both the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V offer a comfortable driving feel, with the Escape leaning toward the sportier, more responsive side. Meanwhile, the Honda CR-V is known for its comfort and family-friendly handling. 


Tech & Safety Features

Safety tech available on all Ford Escape trims includes: Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams & wipers, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning & intervention.

On the Honda CR-V, safety tech is only available on the EX trim and above. Those features include: Automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

When it comes to infotainment on the base trims, the Ford Escape again wins out. Available tech features on the Ford Escape SE include: 8-inch touchscreen, enhanced voice controls, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Sync Connect, and nine-speaker sound system. You'll have to upgrade trim levels on the Honda to the EX in order to get those same features.


As you can see, available tech is similar, but Honda has decided to put all features into separate trim levels, where Ford offers options packages across trims. The only available option on the Honda CR-V is a navigation system on its top trim level. While some buyers prefer this level of simplicity, being able to mix and match features packages helps save money by not including equipment that buyers don't want or need.

Which One is for You?

There's no doubt that both the 2019 Ford Escape and 2019 Honda CR-V are compelling options for Iowa families looking for a midsize crossover. The Escape offers more options and better engine options, while the CR-V has several well-equipped trims and an easy, comfortable ride. Pricing is almost identical, but it can be possible to find the Escape cheaper when similarly equipped to the Honda CR-V, due to its use of options packages. Offering advanced infotainment features as standard on the base SE was also a smart move by Ford, and makes even the lower cost models more future proof.

But which one is right for you?

The best way to find out for yourself is to test drive these vehicles to compare them. You can check out our inventory below, and conveniently schedule a test drive.Â