What’s the best compact crossover SUV for Monroe’s unique blend of city and country streets, the 2025 Ford Escape or 2025 Honda CR-V? Our buying guide helps you make the right choice!
Key Takeaways
- Inside, these small crossovers are big on both comfort and passenger space!
- You’ll love the Escape’s ultra-modern infotainment setup and driver safety aids.
- Whether you’re shopping for enthusiastic speed or a very thrifty commute, the Escape is the best option.
- When it comes to MSRP, the Escape undercuts the competition!
Everyday Comfort: It’s a Tie!
Both the 2025 Ford Escape and 2025 Honda CR-V deliver more than their fair share of interior comfort! When you’re cruising Monroe’s city streets, these crossovers make you feel right at home with their roomy, supportive seating. Their spacious cargo holds are perfect for hauling groceries and school supplies. On longer trips to Black Bayou Lake or down to the Delta, you’ll appreciate these models’ smooth, refined performance!
High-Tech Cruising: 2025 Ford Escape
The Escape comes standard with a few extra convenience features, giving it the edge in this category. Items like dual-zone automatic climate control and a power liftgate help you run errands around town, comfortably and carefree. We’re also fans of the Escape’s standard infotainment layout. Its SYNC 4 software is easy to use, and the 8-inch touchscreen is responsive to your input. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity make it easy to use your Maps and Music apps.
Although the CR-V doesn’t come standard with all of the Escape’s high-tech features, you’ll find items like dual-zone climate control on higher-priced trim models. When it comes to infotainment, the CR-V’s setup feels downsized by comparison. For instance, it comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen and four-speaker sound system (the base Escape has six speakers). If you’re shopping these crossovers’ higher trim models, you’ll find they’re pretty well matched when it comes to upgrades. Both offer premium sound systems and wireless smartphone charging, for instance. However, the Escape has a few exclusive options, like a head-up display and automated parking system!
Thriftiest Road Trip: 2025 Ford Escape
Want to save fuel on your next road trip? The 2025 Ford Escape has a few very efficient engine options! The Escape PHEV’s exclusive plug-in hybrid powertrain saves you the most at the pump, earning up to 101 MPGe! The optional hybrid powertrain, available for the ST-Line and up, is also impressive, returning 39 mpg combined (42 city/36 highway). It’s a great choice for drivers who want a hybrid performance without any batteries to recharge.
2025 Ford Escape Powertrain Options
- Active, ST-Line: turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder engine (180 hp, 199 lb-ft)
- ST-Line Select and up: turbo 2.0L four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 280 lb-ft)
- Optional for the ST-Line and up: 2.5L hybrid powertrain (192 hp, 155 lb-ft)
- PHEV: 2.5L plug-in hybrid powertrain (210 hp, 155 lb-ft)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Continuously variable transmission (with hybrid or plug-in hybrid)
- Front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive
Depending on trim model, the new Honda CR-V can also be very efficient! The CR-V’s available hybrid four-cylinder engine earns up to 40 mpg combined (43 city/36 highway). If you’re not up for recharging the Escape PHEV’s powertrain, the hybrid CR-V is an enticing option. We should also note that both the CR-V and Escape are available with all-wheel drive — performance gear that helps you maintain control on North Louisiana’s muddy rural roads!
2025 Honda CR-V
- LX, EX, EX-L trims: turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine (190 hp, 179 lb-ft of torque)
- Sport, Sport-L, Sport Touring: 2.0L hybrid four-cylinder engine (204 hp, 247 lb-ft)
- Continuous variable transmission
- Front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive
Lightest Starting Price: 2025 Ford Escape
Both models are competitively priced for small SUVs! But it’s the 2025 Escape that gives you the lowest possible price, starting at $29,150*. And while the 2025 CR-V won’t raise your monthly payment too much with its $30,100* MSRP, keep in mind that it doesn’t come standard with as many features as the Escape (like dual-zone automatic climate control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel)!
*Price as of 4/15/25
Louisiana’s Favorite Compact Crossover
When it’s the Ford Escape vs Honda CR-V for Monroe, Louisiana drivers, there’s one clear winner. Ford’s small crossover takes on Monroe’s special blend of rural back roads and city streets with zeal, delivering everything from all-weather performance to a roomy, high-tech cabin. Visit us at Banner Ford of Monroe and take the new Escape for a spin!