Honda CRV vs Rav 4 vs Ford Escape

[Anonymous]

I have a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid that I love. I have an SUV that gets between 29-31 MPG. It has 149K on it and still runs great. Current plan is to keep it another 3 years until it hits about 200K. Very little maintenance. Tires every 50K, oil change every 10K. One factory recall; an electronics issue from a defective part. It did fail when we were on travel and it caused some annoyance because we couldn't drive above 55mph without the engine stalling. So it took a little longer to get home. But once home, took it to the dealer and they informed me that I had ignored a recall notice on the part and they replaced it without cost. At 149K, I just had to replace brake drums and pads for the first time and a tire sensor that had gotten damaged. So other than tires and oil changes, I have spent $800 over 11 years. Not too bad.

Based on my experience, 2 friends bought Escape hybrids before they were discontinued in 2013. And my brother has a non-hybrid Escape. He has a 2009. The majority of the Escape owners that I know have been quite happy with their experiences.

[Anonymous]

In terms of reliability + value, you must go Japanese all the way!

Best bet would be the CRV or the Rava.

Honda & Toyota make the type of car that LASTS.
Period.

If you hate taking the time to drop your car off at the mechanic shop, then wait and wait for it to get fixed, then get a Honda or Toyota.

Ditto if you want a car that holds its value over time.

Subaru is another good Japanese brand@.
Nissan isn’t.
Their transmissions are shoddy.

And Ford is just terrible.
After 100,000 miles, their darn vehicles become non-stop headache inducing money pits.

Who needs the stress....?????!

[Anonymous]

Either the CRV or the RAV is great, but I liked the feel of the RAV better. I have a 2017 and I LOVE it. It’s so comfortable to drive and fits a ton of stuff.

[Anonymous]

I have a 2008 Ford Escape. Like how it sits, big fan of picking the car that fits your size and height. Some issues with electrician wiring but only 76000 miles and plan to keep until 12 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The one you like driving but all are really small. I'd go slightly bigger.

Not at all. I always say that the RAV4 is a big little car or a little big car. Plenty spacious.

[Anonymous]

The 1st and 2nd generation Escspes were good little vehicles. I have a 2011 with 165,000 miles.

The current version isn't even worth considering though

[Anonymous]

Earlier this year I got the CRV but looked at the others. I liked that I could get adjustable seats, heated, cloth seats with te CRV and it has a brake assist button.
The seats in back of the RAV4 and escape were tough, like park benches, too. Not great if you have teens in the back for a long trip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honda CRV
Toyota Rav 4





















Ford Escape


(I only ranked the CRV ahead of the RAV because I prefer the aesthics of the CRV for some reason but they’re both durable, reliable vehicles that’ll last forever. Would not buy a Ford.)

This exactly.

[Anonymous]

I daily.drive my 2004 escape...best car ever. Recently drove a crv and liked.it enough, but it screams "I gave up". Also the transmission sucks and it isn't really true awd, the current escape I believe is.

Know nothing of the RAV4.

If I were cross shopping today I'd look at the escape, crv, and Mazda cx whatever (5?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Escape is less reliable than other two, especially if you intend to keep the car for more than 5 years.

CRV has much better acceleration (top model with turbo engine). The only downside in CRV for me was interior design and too much noise during the driving (on 2017 model).

RAV has a little bit better interior layout, but not the best choices in the material, does not have turbo engine, therefore very little power.

Otherwise, CRV and RAV are very comparable and i think it is only the mater of style choice.

If you are still looking, try to drive Mazda 5 and Subaru Forester. They are in the same price range, just a little bit different driving feeling. Mazda is ride is very soft, great acceleration.

Tell me more about the Mazda (I assume) CX-5 - I've been drooling over that one lately...

[Anonymous]

We looked at these and then the Subaru Forester. Ended up buying the Forester and loving it. It outperformed all other suvs in the same class in snow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love my 2009 Escape. I have spent very little on repairs.

I love my 2009 Escape too. 230,000 miles and it's still going strong. I know Consumer Reports generally isn't crazy about Fords, but I've had no big issues with it and minimal repair costs, just the usual maintenance. Up to this Escape, I've always had Hondas and none never went beyond 100K miles.

[Anonymous]

Consumer Reports isn't even worth reading when it comes to cars, due to implicit bias issues

Case in point, the first generation Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix wagons.

Both were tested, the Pontiac was rated poorly and given a poor reliability prediction, while the Toyota was given the typical top scores Japanese cars always get.

Except both are built in the same factory with 99% parts commonality except for some sheet metal.

Or how CR rates Nissan as well Honda and Toyota.

Or rates ANY European car as "excellent" when it comes to predicted reliability.


They're not even worth reading

[Anonymous]

These were the same choices we explored back in 2013. We went with the Ford Escape, which surprised even me. I am a long time toyota owner and never thought I would "lower" myself to buy a ford. But honestly it drove the smoothest and was just the most comfortable for me and my hubby.

Honda was a choppy ride. Toyota looked ugly inside.

4 years later I am happy with my choice - never had to bring it in for repairs. My only complaint is the gas tank is so small (like 13 gallons) and requires me to fill up more than I would like.

[Anonymous]

I agree on Consumer Reports. I'm not renewing our subscription, not just the car reviews, but in general there's nothing worthwhile in it anymore. How many times can I read which cell phone has the best camera? Zzzz...