CR-V vs Escape

baggs32

"Crash safety is one area where they failed."

varmint,

At least they didn't score lower in the IIHS and NHTSA tests.

I took another look at the IIHS pictures http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/photo_comp_smsuv.htm after reading Road and Track's online review of the 2002 CR-V. They tell us that Honda added some extra under-floor bracing to the 2002. When you look at the crash picture of the CR-V, it does not seem to have a bend in the roof like the Escape does and the back end seems higher off the ground.

I'm wondering if that might be a large part of what caused the big difference in the test? Could be a pretty simple fix for Ford if it is.

tomsr

Details, it's in the details.I could have had
either loaded for the same price.My son works for
FORD and took me to a backlot where I could look at bunches of Escapes.The thing that sticks in my
mind is the carpet in the cargo area.It was not trimmed, just cut. A day long drive found it
lacking in low end torque,thirsty,noisy,and rough riding.In the end I had to ask myself,why is there
so many unsold Escapes,but so few unsold CRVs?
So I went with the crowd.

diploid

I think the reason there are so many unsold Escapes is not because people don't buy them (cause they do), but because I'm sure Ford makes much more Escapes than Honda can make CR-V's, but the same number of buyers buy both SUVs.

But you're right, considering how very close these 2 SUVs are in basically every area, you just gotta nitpick at the details.

baggs32

tomsr,
I believe the cargo carpet was trimmed and sewn in the 2001's. I guess they got a better deal on the untrimmed/unsewn carpet for the 2002 MY. The carpet edges tuck away underneath the surrounding moldings, so I didn't give it a second thought because I never see them any more.

I always thought the standard floor mats were a little cheap and off-color. I just might have to shell out the extra dollars for the fancy Escape logo mats.

diploid,
I think you hit the nail on the head.

corynat

I expected the Honda to be better in fit and finish as well, but was surprised to find it was not. Of course, that is only with my experience.

Loaded is a subjective term as well. There are options available on the Ford that are not available on the Honda. Leather, being an obvious one.

Duck - Like I said, I can only compare to the 2000 CR-V. Against the 2000, there is no contest. That being said, the low end grunt the Escape has would be tough to match. I have no doubt that the Honda makes up for the initial lag by the time you reach 60, but from what I have read in previous posts, the Escape gets a lead early on and that would support what I am saying. I was always able to do those things in my CR-V, but I feel much more confident doing them in the Escape.

One thing I am curious about with the the new CR-V is the AC. I always thought the AC could be improved. Did Honda address that?

muckyduck

On my '02 EX, all the trim pieces fit perfectly - the first car I've owned where there was at least one trim piece that was not correctly fitted. My other cars have always had rattles and squeaks, sometimes very severe. The EX does not - there are some very minor squeaks on rough roads.

I can't compare the A/C with the previous generation CR-V since I didn't own one but the '02 works great.

Any V-6 should be more powerful than a 4-cyl. From what I've read, there is very little difference between the Escape and CR-V.

scape2

Changed the air filter in my Escape recently and it was a bugger. Make sure the housing is on completly, may feel like it but be sure to check for proper seal all the way around. The position of the housing makes it a bit difficult to ensure proper fit. If you don't get this on all the way your engine life may be short lived...:-))
Otherwise, my Escape at just over 12,000 miles runs like a champ, purrs like a kitten, pulls like an ox! I know I made the right choice..

muckyduck

Have you trained it to roll over?

(couldn't resist)

bascott

The CRV does exceed the Escape in the fit and finish (Edmunds use the term shoddy for the Escape) As for Leather, I don't want it, you stick to it in the Summer and the CRV comes standard with side air bags and ABS that are options on the Escape of similar price.

baggs32

ABS is standard on the XLT and you don't stick to the leather in the summer. I know this because it is summer now, I wear shorts quite often, and I have an XLT with the leather. Although, it's not exactly the highest quality leather which may help in that situation.

bascott

I stand corrected, you are right the ABS is standard. But I still don't like the leather interior (personal preferance).

baggs32

bascott,
I didn't think I would either. Our Escape was the only one that rolled off the truck that wasn't pre-sold, so we didn't have much choice and didn't want to wait. I've really grown to like the leather for some reason. Maybe it's the smell or something.

corynat

Surprisingly, the leather is great when you have a two year old, especially if it is a dark color.

If you do not like leather, then the fact Honda does not offer it is a non-issue, but there are plenty of folks that do want leather and I think it is too bad that Honda waits until they need something to keep sales high before offering it.

Where does Edmunds say the 2003 Escape interior is shoddy? The quote I saw was:

"A very capable small SUV thanks to its powerful V6 engine, spacious cabin, handsome looks and car-like handling. One of our favorites."

I specifically mentioned that they were equal in my experience. In my case, like duck, I have no trim problems. I admit to being surprised. I expected to have some.

The CR-V is a nice vehicle. I liked mine. My neighbor just got a new one and it looks very nice. Wish they would put some bigger wheels on them though.

tidester

Have you trained it to roll over?

No training is necessary. It's like the mammalian diving reflex - they're just born with the ability! ;-)

tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories

baggs32

tidester,
Are you saying that the Escape knows how to roll over by instinct? Or, if I may bend your words a little, it rolls over better than others? Who's side are you on anyway?

Don't mind me, it's Friday and I'm itchin' to leave work.

tidester

I'm just having a little fun! Have a great weekend.

tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories

tomsr

Both the CRV and Escape have a shift lever on the dashboard but I prefer it on the floor and with
a manual shift mode.I would not consider the CRV fun just functional.Nobody has created a sportscar
with lot's of room for hauling stuff yet and that's too bad.A 5 speed CRV is in high demand
but even harder to find so I guess the 2003 Forester with a 5 speed would be next choice.
The new Infiniti G35 would be cool if it was in a
station wagon for under $30k.If you are rich you can get a Volvo Turbo but turbos have lag.

npaladin2000

"Nobody has created a sportscar
with lot's of room for hauling stuff yet and that's too bad"

The closest thing you'll find is the Volkswagen GTI...a sporty car with quite a bit of cargo room when you fold the seats down....it's a sports-box. Until someone starts releasing "tuner" parts for the Escape and CR-V.

hondaman01

Baggs

I go away for a couple of days and return to read a response to my post. Well, let me explain again. My question was why would Ford develop a new SUV based on a 96 platform? Yes the CRV at that time was ahead of the competition but I have a hard time understanding a company that uses safety measures that were at least 3 years old (at the time) and matches them instead of surpassing them knowing that Honda changes models often. Now it can barely compete with the Sportage and even that is going to change models (based on the Santa Fe) in a couple of months. You guys gloated over a back bumper glitch for a while but I think that there are more serious issues you should be concerned about.

Scape

If you would please re-read my post you will notice where I said twice that I did not think that the CRV could compete with the Escape in acceleration. I can't understand why you would say that you find it funny that us "Honda Guys" like to think that our "little 4" is faster. I never did because I have had experience (bad!!!) with a Tribute and I also think that it is definately faster BUT.......not by much to merit a trophy!!! For a 40hp difference, it should blow it away but it doesn't now does it? How is that? Your an engineer so explain it to me.

scape2

Gearing, the Escape can tow 3,500 lbs and has more GVWR and maxpayload.. Escape V6 is an advantage

hondaman01

Also uses more gas and stalls a lot! Nice try...........still does not answer my question as to why acceleration is only a half second off with a 40hp difference. Your reasoning is not one of an engineer! My chum told me that when he tried to pull 3000 pounds the truck felt like it was going to come apart and he had all the bells and whistles for towing. I don't think they were made to really pull that much long distance. He now owns a Pilot and it pulls no prob BUT that is in a different league now isn't it?

scape2

a typical Honda drone response..
Gearing does make a difference. The Escape is more of a truck.. more towing, hauling, more payload, more maxpayload, more GVWR.
Also looks like the Escape wins in Sept. motor Trend comparo! Yikes, this is going to make you Honda drones mad..
I tow my two jet skiis and trailer/gear just fine in my Escape, solid as a rock! don't go there with the Pilot towing capabilities.. they are WEAK when comparing like vehicles in this class.
Also, if Honda were so perfect and advanced why didn't they fix the rear tires weakness issue in crashtests? from model 2001 to 2002?

daveghh

Scape, I have a rebuttle with the towing debate.

According to other countries other then North America the towing capacity for the 2002 CRV is 1500 Kg's which is 3307 pounds! Yahoooo! All CRV's are the same not matter where you go in the world, except some places have the smaller engine.

http://www.honda.co.nz/

click on CRV, then specifications!

Just because Honda America has a bunch of conservative engineers, where Ford lacks the later, doesn't mean the CRV isn't capable of hauling as much as the Escape.

scape2

Nice try dave.. Your telling me Honda chose not to say the CRV could tow 3K because of a bunch of conservative engineers! LOL! C'mon your reaching for straws here. If Honda had the choice to say the CRV could tow even 2,500 lbs they would. Where is the trailer hitch? Look at the numbers Dave, 160HP/160ft/lbs of torque, look at your torque curve. I already loaded an automatic CRV down with 4 adults and about 3-400lbs of gear. NO-way the CRV could handle an additional 3K. The vehicle gasped, rasped, hunted for gears and barely made it up MT Hood HWY 26 and maintained even 50MPH.. The CRV doesn't have the gearing, GVWR or frame to tow 3K.
I wonder why Motor Trend decided to test a 5spd CRV against automatics.. Maybe they wanted to CRV to at least win one category LOL! :-))

npaladin2000

Insurance regulations are stricter here. It wasn't the engineers that decided to not allow the CR-V to tow less...it was the accounting and legal departments. People make SO much off of lawsuits here, that car companies (under orders from insurance companies) have to make really really REALLY sure cars are capable of what they say.

As a direct example, the Escape could probably be rated to tow over 5000 pounds in Europe or Austrailia, but that's just a guess on my part. Anyone have any firm numbers?

The whole point is, the Escape is still stronger in the towing department, due to stronger engine, stronger chassis, and stronger suspension. So no matter what country you go to, sell the Escape and CR-V side by side, and the Escape will have a higher rated towing capacity. Well, except for Japan, where everyone knows that the government there gives a leg up to Japanese manufacturers.

daveghh

Scape, back up your argument with some substance, like npaladin2000.

npaladin2000, I took the liberty to look up the escape in the same country that I linked the CRV to in my last post. The CRV is rated at 1500 Kg's and the Escape is rated at 1600 Kg's.

http://www.ford.co.nz/default.asp?content=sideDoor&location=showroom/showroom.asp&color=010025

Click on passenger vehicle, then escape, then specifications, then fact sheet.

Each company has to buy insurance for itself on the grand scale. Honda America has always been far more conservative the Ford has been.

npaladin2000

Just for reference, that 1600 kg is 3527.40 pounds, so the Escape can tow more than the CR-V too, which can only tow 3306.93 pounds (and no, I can NOT see a 2.4 liter 4 cyl towing that much, no mattert how much torque you Honda lovers say it has). That's a 200 pouund difference in US measure. You also have to realize that in kg, the tendency is to round to the nearest 100. However, in the US, the tendency is to round to the nearest 500, i think...unless someone knows of a tow rating that's not a factor of 500. There's probably one around somewhere.

daveghh

npaladin2000, who would have though that a 4 cylinder would be comparable to a v6 in regards to acceleration? You are right about rounding numbers they way you stated. Essentially when rounding Kg you are rounding in bathches of 220 pounds instead of the American way of rounding 500 pounds. So, foreigners have a more accurate way of showing the costumers the towing limit of the vehicle.

I am sure everyone is aware of this, but just to make sure.... a straight 4 cylinder has four independent cylinders. The V6 has three pairs of cylinders that are joined together. Not, the same thing as a straight 6 which has 6 independent cylinders. So the V6 falls somewhere between the straight 4 and the straight 6. So, yes the v6 is made to be stronger then the 4, but not as much as one might initially deduce.

varmint

Folks, there is no set standard for how a manufacturer reports towing capacity. For example, the numbers that Honda publishes are for a fully loaded vehicle (four passengers and their luggage). However, the numbers used by the big 2.5 are often with only a driver in the vehicle. I haven't found a source which gives specific information on either of these vehicles.

scape2

types of vehicles over the years. The 2.4 has 160HP and 161ft/lbs of torque to pull the weight of the vehicle. Add passengers, gear and you add upwards of another 1200-1400lbs, now add another 3K! to that 4cyl, no-way, no-how. Keep trying to justify dave in your mind. The Escape tows more than the CRV bud...3,500lbs vs 1,500lbs.. The main point here is the V6 is much stronger than the 4cyl in the CRV.