Ford Escape vs Toyota RAV4
Compact SUVs · head to head, 2010–2026
The Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4 were both sold for 17 model years (2010–2026). Among the Escape's own years, its best bet is 2023; years to avoid: 2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the RAV4's own years, its best bet is 2018; years to avoid: 2019–2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Ford Escape
Crossover · 2010–2026
- Best bet 2023
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2020
- Be careful 2010–2011, 2013, 2017–2018, 2021
Toyota RAV4
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2018
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2019–2020
- Be careful 2021
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Escape year says nothing about whether it beats a RAV4. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Ford Escape | Toyota RAV4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and steering | Side by side |
| 2023 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly structure and engine | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly air bags and engine | Side by side |
| 2020 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.4× usual, mostly structure and power train | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly fuel system and engine | Side by side |
| 2018 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly engine and engine and engine cooling | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and engine and engine cooling | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly steering and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly speed control and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2026 Ford Escape | 2026 Toyota RAV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $30,350 to $37,210 base price by trim, 6 trims | $31,900 to $48,500 base price by trim, 10 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 1.5L 3-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl, 184–186 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 184–186 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 26–40 mpg | 38–43 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | 33.5–37.8 cu ft |
| Max cargo | — | 63.5–70.4 cu ft |
| Max towing | — | 1,750–3,500 lb |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | Not rated |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 3 · 4 | 1 · 35 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Escape Active lowest price, $30,350 | Escape ST-Line Elite highest price, $37,210 | RAV4 LE lowest price, $31,900 | RAV4 Prime GR SPORT highest price, $48,500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Optional | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Optional | Standard | — | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | — | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | Optional | Optional | — | — |
| 360-degree camera | — | Optional | — | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | Optional | Standard | No | Standard |
| Remote start | Optional | Standard | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Escape, RAV4).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Ford Escape
14 manufacturer programs on file: 2 extended coverage, 12 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Ford/lincoln: there is an extended warranty coverage for the loss of abs speed signal related communication that disable obdii system monitors for pcm reprogramming. (CSP-14N02, 2011–2014 models)
- Extended coverage Ford fusion, milan, escape, mariner 2009-2013: customer satisfaction program throttle body extended coverage. *lj (13N03, 2010–2011 models)
Toyota RAV4
26 manufacturer programs on file: 16 extended coverage, 10 repair programs.
- Extended coverage CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint. (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Repair Process: Customer Support Program ZKG ? (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the… (2010–2017 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2012, 2014–2016, 2022–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2019: the Escape is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.0× usual), while the RAV4 is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly fuel system and engine). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2018: the RAV4 is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.4× usual), while the Escape is rated careful (serious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly engine and engine and engine cooling). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Escape 2020; RAV4 2019–2020.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Escape 2025; RAV4 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Lower starting price in 2026: the Escape, from $30,350 against $31,900. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: RAV4 at 43 mpg (Escape: 40), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.