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CR-V vs Escape

8533 messages,  Last post on Nov 22, 2011 at 3:06 PM

You are in the Honda CR-V Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Car Safety, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

Messages Page 710 of 854

#7086 of 8533 I asked to open this topic again ... by stevedebi

Feb 14, 2006 (1:15 pm)

... so I could post a recent comparison.
 
I recently decided to change out of my CR-V due to some knee problems I've been having. I needed more legroom. So I went shopping. I sat in an Escape in the showroom and discovered that it has so much legroom I actually had to move the seat forward! So I decided to include it on my shopping list. Here is my verdict. I drove the Escape hybrid.
 
First of all, if you need LOTS of legroom up front, the Escape has it over the CR-V, which has much more rear legroom.
 
That is the only thing I preferred about the Escape. There were several items I noticed that made me decline the Escape. The following is a comparison with the CR-V, all IMHO.
 
1. Escape had a rougher ride.
2. The Escape tipped over more in turns. I noticed it even when moving fairly slowly (about 20 MPH). It didn't tip a lot, or excessively, but compared to CR-V engineering it was much more tippy. I wouldn't have worried except that the Escape isn't offered with stability control. This factor was the "deal killer" for me on the Escape.
3. The rear seating situation is not so good, especially in the hybrid - the rear seats did not recline at all. I think they do recline in the gas Escape, but I'm not sure.
4. The fit and finish were not up to Honda standards. Everything fit "OK", but there were some gaps, and in general, when the Escape went over a bump, I felt the parts shift around a bit. That doesn't happen with a CR-V.
5. Looking at the cargo area, it was much smaller (discounting the lack of under cargo storage - the hybrid uses that space for batteries). The under cargo area is shallower than the CR-V, even on the gas Escape.
6. The Escape had the Audiophile sound - no comparison, the Ford has the vast edge in sound over the CR-V with this option!
7. Last and least definitive - the overall picture. For whatever reason, the Escape just didn't seem designed as well as the CR-V. Not surprising since the Escape was designed in 1999 or so. My overall feeling was that it would be a step down from the CR-V to the Escape. In my situation, that is.
 
I will grant that perhaps I prefer Honda engineering, but keep in mind that I did eventually go with a Ford (the Freestyle).

#7087 of 8533 it's valentines day... by explorerx4

Feb 14, 2006 (4:03 pm)

everyone be nice.

#7088 of 8533 Re: waiting to exhale? [steve_] by blueiedgod

Feb 15, 2006 (6:48 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 14, 2006 11:36 am)
Has anything changed in the last couple of months?
  
Steve, Host
 
Yeah, I am driving Escape more often, because she does not feel as safe in it as she does in the CR-V. In a few snow storms I have driven the CR-V, the combination of Stick, AWD, VSA, ABS has worked.
 
I noticed a few things about the Escape.
 
The perceived abundance of torque is due to the design of the throttle. The actuator is oval, so the initial tip in produces a half open throttle, while continued pressure on the pedal yields only marginally bigger openning. This gives you the feeling of tons of torque, when in reality you are just running with throttle half open. It makes it difficult for finite low speed "drive ups".
 
I drove the CR-V from NYC to Buffalo in the last weekend's Blizzard, and CR-V pulled strongly. The car was in at least 2 feet of snow, I cleared the path to the door, cleared the snow off the top and just drove out of the parking spot (parallel parking in NYC). Driving through the Bronx into NJ the VSA made sure the car stayed on the path I intended for it to go by applying brakes to different wheels when needed.
 
As soon as winter is over, I am getting my Honda back

#7089 of 8533 Re: waiting to exhale? [blueiedgod] by thegraduate

Feb 15, 2006 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: blueiedgod (Feb 15, 2006 6:48 am)
The perceived abundance of torque is due to the design of the throttle. The actuator is oval, so the initial tip in produces a half open throttle, while continued pressure on the pedal yields only marginally bigger openning. This gives you the feeling of tons of torque, when in reality you are just running with throttle half open. It makes it difficult for finite low speed "drive ups".
 
That's interesting information, blue...Thanks

#7090 of 8533 Re: waiting to exhale? [thegraduate] by anythngbutgm

Feb 16, 2006 (7:48 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 15, 2006 2:00 pm)
This tends to be a trait with most domestic products. Tough to get a smooth, slow takeoff. Instead you get a lurching forward type of acceleration. Annoying, that's for sure.
 
Congrats on the Freestyle Steve.

#7091 of 8533 Yeeeha! by scape2

Feb 16, 2006 (8:41 am)

I found it CRV fans! Your worst nightmare is back! A Ford owner that loves his Ford product, owns and has owned Ford products that have given hime thousands upon thousands of reliable and trouble free miles of travel!
I am reading on the net the Escape may not be going away. Big changes for 07/08 model year.. Trying to find out more.
Hey AnythingbutGM, congrats on your Freestyle. I see quite a few of these around these days in my area. In fact a family friend bought a Freestyle about a week ago in silver. Nice vehicle for those who don't want a van but want the utility of an SUV, ride of a car.
Anyhoo... back to CRV vs Escape...

#7092 of 8533 Something I hope they update on the Escape by stevedebi

Feb 16, 2006 (9:58 am)

is the power window switches. They are the old style where the "up" rocker side is raised and the "lower" rocker side is indented. These windows have caused grief to a few children who got caught in the window, and pushed the rocker down - of course, the side pushed down was the "raised" side. This caused the window to attempt to raise continuously - trapping the child between the window and the top of the vehicle. On the driver window there might be a protection circuit that checks for something blocking the window (part of the "rapid up and down" feature), but on the other windows there is no protection.
 
The Freestyle (like the CR-V) has power window switches that have to be pulled up to raise the window.
 
The power window switches were another factor in my decision not to get the Escape hybrid.
 
FWIW, I drove Ford cars for about 20 years, until the mid 1990's. I am certainly not "anti-Ford" - I'm driving one now. I definitely prefer Ford to GM or Chrysler products. But I must stand by my view that the CR-V is the better vehicle - except for MPG with the hybrid Escape, and towing with the V6 Escape. And massive front legroom, of course.
 
PS. Welcome back, scape; this forum wouldn't be the same without you!

#7093 of 8533 Re: Yeeeha! [scape2] by thegraduate

Feb 16, 2006 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: scape2 (Feb 16, 2006 8:41 am)
Believe it or not, I was hoping you'd be back...I spent some fun times debating with you...
 
It should be interesting to watch what unfolds with a new CR-V due out in 2007 and some form of a renewed small SUV from Ford.
 
Let the games begin!

#7094 of 8533 Re: Yeeeha! [scape2] by tidester

Feb 16, 2006 (2:39 pm)

Replying to: scape2 (Feb 16, 2006 8:41 am)
Your worst nightmare is back!
 
That would be a kinder gentler nightmare?
 
tidester, host

#7095 of 8533 Re: Yeeeha! [tidester] by thegraduate

Feb 16, 2006 (3:06 pm)

Replying to: tidester (Feb 16, 2006 2:39 pm)
Let's hope so, b/c this is a decent forum topic and should be left open!

Messages Page 710 of 854

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