2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime vs. 2024 Ford Escape PHEV Comparability

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime and Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid are fuel-sipping compact SUVs that present electric-only driving vary and excellent economic system. 

Granted, they each command a big premium over their non-hybrid stablemates. But for automobile buyers on the fence between sticking with a gas-fed engine or going all-electric, plug-in hybrids provide a handy compromise.

For native errands and quick commutes, their electrical vary could make refueling an rare a part of your driving routine. However when it’s time to make an extended journey, particularly one the place recharging factors are unknown, having the gas-powered engine provides further peace of thoughts.  

Let’s discover the highlights of the RAV4 Prime and Escape Plug-in Hybrid.

2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime

The 2024 RAV4 Prime is obtainable in two trims—SE and XSE—and begins at $45,040, together with vacation spot costs. A regular RAV4 prices about $30,000, and the common hybrid variant is about $11K lower than the Prime. 

Does the plug-in model of the favored RAV4 signify a strong worth? We expect so, contemplating its sturdy efficiency and an extended roster of driver aids and luxury options.  

RAV4 Prime Highlights 

It’s actually fast: You thought gasoline economic system and vary can be the primary issues we’d speak about. Nope, we’re going straight for the speedy method through which the 302-horsepower RAV4 Prime streaks down the street. Throughout testing, this in any other case sedate-looking SUV zips from 0-60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. That’s fast by any normal, and particularly so for a family-friendly SUV.

Electrical-only driving vary: When absolutely juiced, the RAV4 Prime can journey an EPA-estimated 42 miles purely on electrical energy. That is higher than a lot of its rivals, together with the 37-mile EV vary afforded by the Escape PHEV.

Customary AWD: Including all-wheel drive (AWD) to an SUV can add 1000’s to the value. Not so with the RAV4 Prime, which has AWD normal—a superb factor contemplating the ability on faucet. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid is front-wheel drive; AWD isn’t an possibility.

Intuitive infotainment system: Toyota gave the RAV4 Prime’s infotainment system an replace for the 2023 mannequin yr. The 8-inch display screen within the SE trim is just a little smaller than the norm, although a ten.25-inch display screen comes within the XSE mannequin. Every is fitted with fascinating options like wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite tv for pc radio, and 5 USB ports.  

Test this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the RAV4 Prime fashions close to you.

2024 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid

The 2024 Escape Plug-in Hybrid begins at $41,995 and is available in one trim degree. As we identified, the Ford doesn’t provide AWD like its Toyota rival. On the plus aspect, the Escape Plug-in Hybrid is extraordinarily well-equipped and undercuts the bottom value of the RAV4 Prime by roughly $3K. 

Ford refreshed the Escape’s exterior and improved its infotainment system solely final yr. Below the hood, a gas-electric 4-cylinder powertrain produces 210 hp and, just like the RAV4 Prime, is paired with a constantly variable computerized transmission (CVT).

Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Highlights

Greater touchscreen: If a bigger touchscreen is what you need in your SUV, the Ford is the winner between these two. That’s as a result of it comes with a 13.2-inch display screen that’s straightforward to navigate and has wi-fi smartphone connectivity, voice recognition, navigation, satellite tv for pc radio, and 4 USB ports.

Sliding second-row seating: The Escape’s sliding second-row seat is nice for taller passengers who want further legroom or extra cargo house for load-lugging errands. This flexibility is a giant bonus.

Decrease base value: Who doesn’t like saving some cash? Whereas we predict the RAV4 Prime is an effective worth, you’ll be able to’t ignore it’s a number of thousand {dollars} greater than the bottom value of the Escape Plug-in Hybrid.

Excellent Bang & Olufsen audio: A ten-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system is elective and imparts an upscale auditory expertise. This surround-sound system is a part of the Premium Bundle, which incorporates leather-based seating, power-adjustable driver and entrance passenger seats, a head-up instrument show, a surround-view parking digicam, and extra.

Test this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the Escape Plug-in Hybrid fashions close to you.

Similarities

The RAV4 Prime and Escape Plug-in Hybrid ship good outward visibility, adult-friendly ranges of headroom and legroom, and an easy-to-use infotainment system. In addition they have practically equivalent cargo capability behind their split-folding second row, to not point out a great deal of security gadgets like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and computerized excessive beams, to call a couple of.

Conclusion

Beginning with the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, we like its relaxed driving manners, cabin house, and just lately up to date onboard tech. The Ford does many issues very properly, together with having handy extras like a sliding second row and a bigger touchscreen.

But the added horsepower and electrical vary of the Toyota RAV4 Prime make it a really tempting various. Sure, its cabin design isn’t as cutting-edge as some newer rivals, although we’ve discovered all controls are inside straightforward attain, and the inside high quality feels a reduce above the Ford. Additional benefitting the RAV4 Prime are its normal all-wheel drive and superior resale worth in contrast with the Ford. For these causes, we advocate the RAV4 Prime.