2022 Ford Explorer vs Escape

The 2022 Ford Explorer is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for seven or six, with optional second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, and a 35/30/35 split-folding second-row bench seat gives easy access in and out of the back row. A 50/50 split folding third-row seat will give you access to cargo. Cargo space gives you 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and up to 87.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. Cloth upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are standard; and leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, front sport seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats, and massaging front seats are available and added to higher trims. A power liftgate and LED headlights comes standard; and an available hands-free liftgate and a cargo management system that adds under-floor storage and a reversible cargo floor is an option. A new sporty styling ST-Line trim is added to Explorer’s line-up this model year. The Explorer is available in eight trims: base, XLT, Limited, ST-Line, Timberline, ST, King Ranch and Platinum. The base Explorer has a starting price of $36,345 and ranges to a starting price of $56,985 for the Platinum.

Ford’s sporty Escape features sleek lines on its exterior to add style and sophistication, while offering buyers comfortable seating for five. Its roomy interior has enough head- and legroom for most adults to sit comfortably. A sliding 60/40 split-fold down seat capability in the rear seats gives you more options for space in seating and cargo. Cloth upholstery is standard, and synthetic or genuine leather upholstery, heated and power adjustable front seats, and a heated steering wheel are available. The Escape has between 33.5 and 37.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row, depending on how the sliding rear seats are positioned. A total of 65.4 cubic feet of space behind the first row meets its maximum cargo capacity. The Escape is available in four trim levels: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. Starting price for this compact SUV is $26,800 for the S and ranges to $39,570 for the Titanium Plug-In Hybrid.

The Ford Explorer has an impressive list of safety and tech features, including a highly rated infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen that quickly connects to your smartphone with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six speakers, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and four USB ports are also standard. Available features include a 10.1-inch touch screen with a portrait layout, a 12.3-inch customizable driver display, a 14-speaker Bank & Olufsen sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and wireless device charging. For added assistance, the Explorer comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 technology and driver-assist features to add ease and safety to your driving. Standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rearview camera, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and auto high-beam headlamps.

The Escape features the same standard advanced driver’s aids that are included with Ford’s CoPilot360 to keep you safe on the road. Standard features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rearview camera, and lane keep assist. Available options include adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, traffic jam assist, parallel and perpendicular park assist, remote start, head-up display, and traffic sign recognition. The technology list is relatively short on the base Escape, but the Titanium trim adds some nice touches. It features a 4.2-inch display, Bluetooth, six-speaker stereo, and a USB port. An 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, and satellite radio are available options. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless device charging is standard on the Titanium trim; as well as some of the available options.

Most Explorer's models come standard with a turbocharged, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and 300 horsepower. It delivers a smooth and sturdy ride with its 10-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-drive platform. There are two available powertrains – a hybrid V6 and a high-performance V6. The Limited and Platinum are available with the hybrid powertrain, and it produces a combined 318 horsepower. The ST trim will give you a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The ST also comes with sport suspension and paddle shifters. Four-wheel drive comes standard in the two highest trims, but you can add four-wheel drive to the other trims for added cost, and the ST trim is now available with rear-wheel drive. Estimated fuel economy is 21/28 mpg in the city and on the highway with its base engine. When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600.

The 2022 Escape has the choice of a hybrid or plug-in hybrid and available 1.5-liter EcoBoost or 2.0-liter EcoBoost gas engines with Auto Start-Stop technology. It’s sporty performance and efficient hybrid improves power and acceleration to move your vehicle well and drive more like a smaller car. Most trims are driven by the 180-horsepower three-cylinder 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing plenty of power for everyday driving. It earns respectable ratings of 27/33 mpg on the city and highway. When properly equipped, the Escape can tow up to 3,500 pounds