A duel of champions: 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid vs 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Renewed in 2019, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 is by far the most popular vehicle of the Japanese giant, even surpassing the Corolla in terms of sales, and since a hybrid variant is available, consumers appreciate it even more. Here, it measures itself against the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid, which underwent an extreme makeover this year, and is offered in a Hybrid version and 3 Plug-in Hybrids. So here is the Escape Hybrid vs. RAV4 Hybrid duel to determine which is the best SUV.

The Titanium model of the 2020 Escape Hybrid starts at just under $37,000, while the LE version of the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid will be yours for just over $34,000. The XLE will cost you about $37,000, the XSE about $41,000 and the Limited just over $45,000. To make the game a little fairer, let's focus on the XLE variant of the Toyota SUV, which sells for about the same price as its opponent.

What powers them

It's a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine with a combined output of 198 horsepower, a 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery and a CVT transmission that propel the Ford. As for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, it also counts on a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine, but with a combined output of 219 horsepower. A 1.6-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery and a CVT transmission complete this powertrain. Unlike the Ford, the RAV4 comes standard with all-wheel drive.

More power, but also energy-efficiency

Despite the Toyota's 4WD and more powerful engine, both their fuel economy ratings are nearly identical, with 5.4/6.3/5.8 L/100 km for Ford and 5.7/6.3/6.0 L/100 km for the RAV4. What is more, with the RAV4 you can tow up to 794 kg as opposed to only 680, and you can also fill it up with more equipment or groceries, depending on the model, thanks to a cargo capacity of 1,976 litres compared to 1,721. So far, it looks like Toyota is beating the Ford hands down!

Much better results

As if that wasn't enough, the RAV4 did very well in terms of scores from the Car Guide’s automotive journalists, who gave it an overall score of 84%, while the Escape couldn’t do better than 77%. It's in terms of overall assessment, safety and reliability that Toyota stands out. It also was awarded the name of Best Compact SUV for 2020. Surprised? Neither are we...

A ton of equipment

Standard features on the XLE variant of the RAV4 include a 7-inch touch screen, five USB charging ports, Connected Services by Toyota Audio, a Smart Key with Push Button Start, a power rear door, the Star Safety System, a sport tuned front suspension, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, heated front seats, a tonneau cover, LED daytime running lights and projector headlamps, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers as well as a power slide/tilt moonroof, not to mention the Toyota Safety Sense technologies.

The Escape Hybrid's equipment is certainly quite comprehensive, including heated front seats, a panoramic roof, a garage door opener and remote engine start, a smart key with push-button start, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, heated sideview mirrors and more.

It's not enough...

Despite this, the choice is more than obvious. For the same price, the RAV4 Hybrid offers you all-wheel drive, wonderful during the winter months, more cargo space, a more powerful engine, better towing capacity, and of course, the legendary reliability that only Toyota can boast of.

In short, if you're looking for a hybrid sport utility vehicle with outstanding skills, exceptional driving dynamics, unmatched capacities, ridiculously low fuel consumption ratings, an inviting and spacious interior, cutting-edge technologies as well as essential commodities, come and see us today at your Spinelli Toyota Pointe-Claire dealership in the west end of Montreal, easily accessible from Laval or the South Shore. Discover the countless qualities and attributes of the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid, tailored to today's families.