Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options

CR-V vs Escape

1…1617192122…167

Comments

  • muckyduckmuckyduck Member Posts: 219
    Since more people read Car & Driver than Edmunds, I think their pick of the cr-v is more meaningful. When C&D talk about value, they are referring to the fact that one could spend more and not get the same quality as the cr-v!

    NOTE TO HOST - this is not a slam against this wonderful, superb, super web site. I have found out so much useful information from Edmunds!!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    That's ok - everyone knows that advertisers pay for those good reviews at C&D.

    wink, wink :-)

    Steve
    Host
    SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    steve_HOST: I thought that was Motor Trend.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    lol, them too?

    (btw, I've never heard of TireRack or PeopleFirst....)

    Steve
    Host
    SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    the steam blow off.. I'm still here... I'm not going anywhere... wink, wink...
    I have been in other chat rooms around the net..
    My Escape is running beautifly, purrs like a kitten.. Going to change the oil today and the air filter. Bought a K&N air filter..
    As far as sales of the Escape vs the CRV.. Lets stay tuned and see what happens when all the hype dies down and the owners of previous CRV's are done buying. Remember, the first year of the Escape was also a huge success..
    I still get a good chuckle how Honda owners continue to try to convince themselves that the 2.4 in the CRV is better, more powerful.. whatever you want to call it, than the 3.0 V6 in the Escape.. Anyone who reads the numbers will see this isn't so, noway, never will be. Keep up the amusment..
  • muckyduckmuckyduck Member Posts: 219
    "The most immediately tangible upgrade, however, is more power-160 horsepower versus 146. Mated with the standard five-speed manual transmission, that's enough punch to propel the new CR-V to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds, on par with V-6 (automatic only) editions of the Escape. "

    Powerful? You say - maybe the Escape needs something!!
    (like Honda technicans and quality)

    I'm keeping up the amusement, thank you!
  • altoonaltoon Member Posts: 64
    People mean different things when they talk about value, but it is actually a ratio of quality to price (Q/P). The higher the quality (quality can actually mean different things)and the lower the price the better the value. The value can be the same in a Civic and Pilot. The question of value is the question "am I getting what I pay for?"

    BTW, the WORST vehicle I ever purchased was Motor Trend's pick for car of the year (A Renault Alliance) They obviously were not considering reliability.
  • freeberfreeber Member Posts: 116
    relatively speaking...=P

    I'm not going to touch those last 2 lines though because we have argued that to death and that's just itching to bring up another round.

    Glad to hear from you.
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    altoon is right. The Escape XLT and the CR-V EX come very comparably equipped, and we do try to discuss that here every now and again. The CR-V is cheaper (less expensive if you will) and therefore a better value. So yes, the vehicle can be a better value if it's only perceived advantage is price.

    muckyduck,
    Did you ever see the movie "Twins" with DeVito and Schwarzenegger? So was it you or scape that got to stay on the tropical island after being separated at birth?

    Sorry to brand you again scape. It's for a good cause though.
  • muckyduckmuckyduck Member Posts: 219
    I was on Bermuda once - does that count?

    As for value - in 5 years will be interesting to see which one of these 'perceived' suvs wins. Honda has a pretty good rabbit start - think the turtle can 'escape'.
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    That's why I won't argue about the CR-V being a better value. It costs less to start out with, even though you get pretty much the same equipment and performance (not towing, hauling, etc. mind you) as the Escape. But Honda vehicles are, more often than not, worth more than other brand's comparable vehicles after a few years. That is where the real value is if you ask me.
  • muckyduckmuckyduck Member Posts: 219
    we agree on something. Can't have that - what would our founding father say?
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    "Let's see, of the five winners:
    One is a raised 4WD Civic
    One is a raised 4WD Odyssey
    One is actually the Odyssey
    One is a heavy duty pickup truck
    One is a real (and I mean real) SUV (read truck).

    Maybe they should start thinking about re-naming this contest to something like "5 Best People Movers and/or Trucks"

    That's just the way that the market is going. The old-school SUVs were never well-suited for the job that people actually use them for. So they'll go extinct.

    Even today's "big boys" don't much resemble the originals. When did we start needing four doors? What's this independant suspension business? What are you talking about with this moonroof nonsense... Why doesn't the back half of the roof come off?
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    Because all the stuff you have in the back would bounce out otherwise.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    I think he was facetiously talking about trucks with the plexiglass pseudo roofs over their beds (Ford Bronco?), as opposed to SUVs whose roofs are permanently attached, and instead of a bed they have seats with a small cargo area.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    Consumer reports shows the Escape at 8.5 0-60..
    And you fail to realize the CRv is a manual NOT an automatic like the Escape. And you fail to realize in order to achieve the 8.4 seconds you have to absolutely wind the 2.4 out to redline between each shift.. The Escape is supposed to have a 5spd available with the V6 in 2005.. Then we'll talk again..The interior is also changing for 2003 Escapes! Yeah! Much nicer, more Jeep Liberty quality like plastics and fabrics.
    Already tested a 2002 CRV automatic loaded down with 4 people, and about 400lbs of gear going up HWY 26 over MT Hood.. sorry but someone is fibbing when they said they had no problems keeping up with Traffic.. The CRV constantly hunted and downshifted and did not keep up with traffic, nor in anyway could pass safely. Keep up trying to convince yourself that a 160HP/161ft/lb torque motor is every bit as powerful, faster, whichever you want to call it than a 201HP/200ft/lb of torque V6..
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    You mean caps. And I figure they were the predecessors of today's SUVs...matter of fact, the Bronco and Blazer were SUVs too. ;)
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    Scape, just stick with saying "powerful"....if you'll notice, they're ignoring that and latching on to the "faster" tag. The fact is, the CR-V is lighter than the Escape, so theoretically, the CR-V could be just as fast (COULD..not IS...COULD)...speed isn't just the engine. Power, however, is the engine and tranny.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    I don't think too many people would consider the Bronco an SUV, though. Perhaps the link in the evolution of pickup truck to SUV.
  • altoonaltoon Member Posts: 64
    I can't believe I'm saying this again, but here goes. Scape, I have a 5 speed CR-V and have over 6,000 miles on it. I have NEVER felt the need for more power. I have driven it across two states with my two kids and had it loaded with luggage. I have NOT driven it up Mt. Hood or any other mountain, nor am I likely to do so in the future. I am probably 500 miles from the nearest mountain of any size. You put the vehicle through a single, rather extreme test and use that to generalize to all circumstances. Then you accuse me (and others) of "fibbing"? How about trying some intellectual honesty and knocking off the accusations.
  • hondaman01hondaman01 Member Posts: 163
    Just got back last week from a business trip with 4 people on board and all the luggage. I rented an auto CRV (finally could get one!) and drove 3000km's in about 5 days. Compared to my 2001 model it was very good and powerful enough to get us anywhere with ease and comfort. Of all of the people I went with, I was the only one that owns a Honda and after the trip was over, I think they were interested in buying one of these lovely machines.

    Compared to my trip I had with the Tribute last month, it was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better. At least I did not need to get towed this time and guess what? I never had a stalling problem! Never had trouble getting up any hill and we have lots of those and got a lot better millage easily even if I "wind the engine" as scape says I have to do! But what I admired most was the ease of controls and a lot quieter engine than the Tribute and much less road noise.

    Like I have said in the past, we all love a vehicle for various reasons but the 3 other passengers also agreed that this was one of the better vehicles they have driven in.

    Scape you mentioned that once the previous CRV owners stop buying the new model, sales will decrease. What aboout when Escape owners get tired of their numerous problems and turn to Honda? Won't that increase the sales again? By the way, my friend I had told you all about before that had the black XLT Escape traded it in for a Pilot!! He was very disappointed of the price that various dealers were giving for it only after 11/2 years! Anyways, he was quite happy to bid farewell to it and now is very happy. I admit that I am really jelous of him as it is a wonderful machine.
  • freeberfreeber Member Posts: 116
    What a bargain!!!

    Scape: You have some points, so why can't you just argue those based on fact rather than trying to spin stories? I keep asking and you keep ignoring: You say you have to run the V' up to redline numbers to get those 0-60 numbers. Are you suggesting when they test the escape that they are just easing onto the pedal? Give me a break already. Every Vehicle tested for 0-60 is done so by stomping the pedal to the floor. If your telling me the Escape doesn't wind past 4000 RMP when floored you're either lying or Ford isn't making efficient use of their tranny.

    Varmint:

    I'm not a big off-road person, but isn't independent suspension a benefit to off roaders and 'true' utility vehicles? I would think you would want the wheels able to travel independently of each other on a construction site or hauling firewood out of a woods....
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Scape2 - Do you honestly believe that they didn't red line the Escape to get its 0-60 numbers?

    Npaladin - Back then, SUVs were simply called "four by fours". The class did include some oddities like the Bronco, but there was also the Bronco II, S-10 Blazer, K5 Blazer, Landcruiser, Suburban, Wagoneer, Scout II (which was a four cylinder, IIRC), and others.

    Compare those to the more modern SUVs like the new Explorer, Pathfinder, JGC, etc. They've fallen just as far from the tree. Crossovers are no more different from today's utes than today's utes are from their ancestors.
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Oops. Freeber beat me to the post.

    To answer your question, yes and no. Independent suspension has benefits for handling and ride quality. It's smoother over light off-road conditions. However, it does not work as well when driving over challenging off-road courses. A live axle typically allows for greater suspension articulation. Also, when one wheel goes up, it pushes the other one down (for better traction).

    The exception to this would be something like the Hummer. It breaks all kinds of rules. The Hummer is able to use an indy set up because it has the drive train running through the center of the passenger compartment. It uses ground clearance in place of articulation. Basically, they engineered their way around the problem by doing some extreme stuff.
  • muckyduckmuckyduck Member Posts: 219
    BTW, the crv was picked over the escape by C&D!
    AIN'T IT GRAND
  • muckyduckmuckyduck Member Posts: 219
    the only real advantage the escape has over the crv is in towing/hauling and possibly mountain climbing. Even though scape2 harps and harps about it, the crv with a 4 cyl comes very close to the escape 6 cyl in 0-60 times - pretty darn good in my book. C&D liked it too!!

    My '02 crv has not been perfect - rocking seat that needs new parts, driver's auto up/down window needs new part, a headliner squeak above driver's visor that is hard to
    locate/fix - but I would definitely recommend the crv to anyone. It is fun to drive, easy to drive, hauls everything I need to haul and feels very soild.
    My crv does NOT stall, like some suvs that will remain unmentioned.
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    Towing and hauling- yes. But mountain climbing? I don't see the Escape having that advantage. Both of these SUVs are not meant for that task.
  • hondaman01hondaman01 Member Posts: 163
    Once again, I have found something else. We were promised links by someone on this board and I have not seen them so I have taken the ball in my court. Seems that Honda and other imprts are gaining ground along with GM.


    http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/020614-6.htm

  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    muckyduck,
    Let's see if you've been paying attention. What are the significant advantages the CR-V has over the Escape? Don't start rattling off things like .3 inches of shoulder room either. I'm talking about things you would actually notice, or even care about when cross shopping these two vehicles. Being able to tow 2000+ lbs more is one significant advantage that the Escape holds over the CR-V. That should get you started.

    Quality and reliability measures will differ from person to person as we've gone over time and time again, so don't bother with those either. We all know where we each stand on that issue.
  • muckyduckmuckyduck Member Posts: 219
    the escape is everything that anyone could ever want on this earth and beyond. Now, if only the thousands upon thousands of Honda owners would switch over to Ford, the world would be free of evil.

    BTW - things I care about when cross shopping vehicles are indeed quality and reliability.
    BTW 2 - has anyone actually towed 2000+ with an escape?
    BTW 3 - interior room is important - small amounts can make a big difference when on long trips - I believe overall the crv bests the escape and is very roomy but I still need a little more front leg room.
    BTW 4 - have a good weekend. USA USA - the next World Cup champions (okay, maybe when Ford beats Honda)
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    Ford does outsell Honda every year (total vehicles across the company), so maybe the USA will win.
  • bessbess Member Posts: 972
    I appreciate your honesty about your CRV. You mentioned the 'only' advantage of the Escape over the CRV was slightly higher towing, (which I think for most isn't really an issue).

    I belive the CRV and Escape are pretty much equals in just about every other category, no real advantage either way.. Both are great vehilcles..

    Comparing your particular vehicle CRV vs my Escape, it would appear my Escape had higher quality because I only had one problem, a bad lower left front speaker. It actually took me a while to even know it was a problem because the remaining 5 speakers + subwoofer worked fine..
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    a v6 with 200HP and 200ft/lbs of torque, more standard payload, more GVWR also, more towing, yes I tow my jetskiis.
    Reliability is a moot point with me. In 1998 I purchased a Ford RAnger 4x4. I heard over and over again from the Toyota crowd. "Its going to break down", "junk", "garbage" yada, yada, yada..
    Well, it now has almost 75,000 miles on it with NOT ONE problem. And has been into some pretty serious 4x4 trails in the Cascade range and deserts of Eastern Oregon. I paid 3K less than a comparably equipped Tacoma. Still waiting for it to fall apart....
    Still have not received a recall notice from Honda either for my wifes car?? why not Honda people??
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    Got back today from over a 700 mile trip to Southern Oregon area. Did some boating, bike riding and cave exploring. My unreliable Escape averaged 24.7MPG! doing 70 MPH on average. My vehicle was loaded down with myself, wife and two kids, 4 bikes and gear. On the way down I-5 there was a newer BMW 3 series on the side of the road with its hood up, steam pouring out.. I wondered if anyone would think all BMW's were now unreliable.. noway.. BMW=status/prestige never to be questioned.
    Anyway, I now have almost 12,000 miles on my Escape.. still waiting for a stall, still waiting for it to become unreliable..
    Another note.. I had at 3 people come up to me and ask me about my Escape :-))
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    Scape - We don't call the Escape unreliable because of our personal experience or anecdotal evidence supplied by others... If you want to go that route, I have 62,000 miles on my CR-V and not a single unscheduled repair. I joke about having to replace a wiper blade at 30K.

    We call the Escape unreliable because it was ranked 40% below the industry average in statistics based on consumer surveys. Meanwhile the last CR-V ranked 80% higher than the industry average. The CR-V got ranked #2 in on a recent initial quality survey. The Escape did not make the published rankings.
  • sacfocus1sacfocus1 Member Posts: 8
    I am new to this posting site, and have not read over the 900 plus postings regarding this topic, but this is what it comes down to for me.
    How long are you keeping the vehicle?
    If you want something reliable, economical for a SUV;planning to keep for greater than 5 years; and has lower depreciation, the Honda CR-V wins hands down.
    If you need more power, are going to sell/trade in 3 years, don't care or can afford less trade in
    value go with the Tribute/Escape.
    I currently own a 2000 Focus Wagon and regret trying the domestic make; I have owned 3 trouble free hondas in the past and in my opinion, any car can go 60-75k mi. without too much trouble.
    The Quality of the vehicle reveals itself after that. The previous postings talk about Escapes with , what, 12k mi.? Come back when you have 75-100-150k mi., then we will see how reliable the Ford is.
    Personally, I am upside down on the payment vs re-sale value, and am also waiting to see the Element, Honda's new SUV due in Dec.
    Good luck Ford owners, I've been there.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Welcome aboard! We hope to hear a lot more from you!

    tidester
    Host
    SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    That's what I was trying to get out of him. We've all gone over this before, there aren't many really big differences between the two. We've mentioned the Escapes power as one of it's big advantages, I'd have to add that one of the CR-V's is it's rear leg room with the seat pushed back.

    I don't believe there are many more that can be pointed out for either vehicle.

    sacfocus,
    My limited experience with vehicle ownership has taught me that domestics will probably need more mechanical work down the line, but the foreign makes usually need more work on the rest of the car. I always tell people that our Civic is going to end up being a bare frame with an engine that won't quit.
  • muckyduckmuckyduck Member Posts: 219
    USA in final eight. Ford might win too (of course, not sales numbers since Ford has to make millons of cars to get a few reliable ones).

    As for problems with my CR-V - still very happy with it - did not expect any problems but these are minor, compared to stalling!!

    What '02 escape model most closely compares to the '02 CR-V EX?
  • goldencouple1goldencouple1 Member Posts: 209
    glad you've had a good experience with your Ranger 4x4. One of the reasons I'm very suspicious of Ford is my experience with mine. Bad seals. A chronically leaky transmission. Rapid deterioration of structural integrity. Weird electrical problems. A 4x4 motor (electrical engagement)that went on the fritz. Poor interior design. Cheap materials in the cab, and poor fit and finish. A weird power band and four liter engine that could not do the job -- the Big Engine that Can't we called it. A chronic check engine light -- one of the electrical problems, that coupled itself with the strange power band and lousy engine. The truck was creaky and jingly. It smelled.
    That about does it. I loved it for a little while and then I grew to hate it, because I never felt like I could trust it. Oh, and I grew to hate the local dealership -- they could never fix anything the first time and generally broke something else in the process.

    I wished I had bought a Toyota nearly every day I owned that lousy Ford Ranger. CR said it was average for reliabilty. Well, barely. It was just above below average reliability. I did what I could to keep it up, but it was a losing cause.
  • freeberfreeber Member Posts: 116
    I'm not saying it's not going to last longer than that, I just don't think 75,000 miles on ANY vehicle is a real landmark, and if it is then we have REALLY lowered our standards.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    someone started to talk about offroad ability of these two vehicles. The Escape has a stronger frame (ie more standard, max and GVWR payload) along with the "POWER" of the V6 to get it out of tough spots. However, these are both based on car frames and should not be pushed offroad. This offroad ability reviewers speak of is a joke. Most 4x4's don't even see gravel! As a matter of fact the Escape/CRV/RAV4/VUE or any car based SUV will suffice for 90percent of users. These vehicles can handle logging roads/access roads just fine..
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    my comment about my Ranger was to show you that I was told my Ranger was going to fall apart, become a piece of junk, become unreliable.. at 75K it hasn't shown one sign of doing anything of the sort. Many of these miles are hard miles in the Cascade range, deserts of Eastern Oregon, to the Tillamook national Forest.. MT ST Helens.. you name it. My Ranger has proven to be extremly reliable, contrary to what I was told in the Toyota Tacoma room...
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    If the 4cyl is "good enough" in the CRV then why is it not "good enough" in the Accord? These vehicles have a weigh diff of about 150Lbs.. Why does Honda put a V6 in the Accord? Why do they sell so well??
  • diploiddiploid Member Posts: 2,286
    Most of the Accords sold are in 4-cylinder form.
    They only put the V-6 in the Accord to compete with the other competitors who do offer V-6 power, not because the Accord actually needs the V-6.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    from Edmunds as to why they havn't changed the ground clearance on the Escape to 8.5" to reflect the truth, along with why their TMV numbers don't match thier TCO numbers on resale??
    Trade in for my vehicle under TMV is 19,378, private party is 20,759, Dealer retail is 23,448, yet under resale portion of TCO these figures are thousands less????
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I thought we settled the ground clearance issue months ago?

    Try the New Edmunds.com Tool: TCO discussion for your other question - one of our data guys hangs out there a lot.

    Steve
    Host
    SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    call this setteled? When Edmunds quotes the Escape with the 225 size tire at 7.8" of clearance, yet lists the P235 size tire? This is wrong information.. Give me the e-mail address to your data folks. I have a list of items that are listed wrong for the Escape/Tribute.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Here's the link to the Feedback Form. Have at it :-)

    Steve
    Host
    SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
  • freeberfreeber Member Posts: 116
    ..I think the point most Tacoma owners were making is that they will be driving theirs well into the 200,000 mile range vs. the guesstimated 120,000 to 130,000 most domestics start begging for attention. Not everybody has the same experience with vehicles. When trying to argue a point you (meaning everybody) really have to try to avoid generalizations. This is next to impossible with this arguement though because the specific is often the exception. Most Honda owners are extremely satisfied with the product they are getting and the value it holds. This odesn't mean Honda has never put out a bad product, it means MOST of the owners are pleased and would buy again. PERCENTAGE-wise I'm guessing that number is lower in Ford's. Literally it is higher because of the high volume of vehicles they produce.

    It will be interesting to see what division of Ford ends up with the Escape in it's pen. If the truck division ends up with ownership I think the Escape will have a swinging chance at maintaining a dedicated customer base as Ford has done well with their truck line. If the Car division gets control of it I don't think they have enough direction to make the Escape a long term winner.

    Honda has always been different, and despite reports I have my own feelings on Honda's stepping into the SUV market. I think Honda recognized that it's buyers were looking for a SUV-type vehicle and responded trying to maintain their customer base. (and even grow it to some degree) I'm guessing even Honda was surprised at the chunk of market share they snagged right out of the box. They knew they had a winner in the CRV, I don't even want to talk about the Passport, and I'm holding my thoughts on the Pilot for now. It looks like a good set up, but we'll see how it pans out when people start working them harder than testing grounds.

    Anyhow, my point was don't count your chickens just yet because there may be a fox outside your hen house.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles