The 2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid and Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid are fuel-sipping compact SUVs that present electric-only driving vary and excellent financial system.
Granted, they each command a major premium over their non-hybrid stablemates. But for automotive buyers on the fence between sticking with a gas-fed engine or going all-electric, plug-in hybrids supply a handy compromise.
For native errands and brief 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 additional peace of thoughts.
Let’s discover the highlights of the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid and Escape Plug-in Hybrid.
2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid
Previously referred to as the RAV4 Prime, for 2025 this mannequin known as the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. It stays accessible in two trims — SE and XSE — and begins at $45,660, together with vacation spot cost. A typical RAV4 prices about $30,645, and the common hybrid variant is about $12K lower than the Plug-in Hybrid.
Does the plug-in model of the favored RAV4 characterize a strong worth? We expect so, contemplating its sturdy efficiency and an extended roster of driver aids and luxury options.
RAV4 Plug-in Highlights
It’s actually fast: You thought gasoline financial system and vary could be the primary issues we’d discuss. Nope, we’re going straight for the speedy approach during which the 302-horsepower RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid streaks down the highway. 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 customary, and particularly so for a family-friendly SUV.
Electrical-only driving vary: When absolutely juiced, the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid 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.
Commonplace AWD: Including all-wheel drive (AWD) to an SUV can add 1000’s to the worth. Not so with the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, which has AWD customary — a great 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 Plug-in Hybrid’s infotainment system an replace simply two years in the past. The 8-inch display screen within the SE trim is a little bit 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.
Examine this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid fashions close to you.
2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid
The 2025 Escape Plug-in Hybrid begins at $39,895 and is available in one trim stage. As we identified, this Ford plug-in hybrid doesn’t supply all-wheel drive like its Toyota rival. On the plus facet, the Escape Plug-in Hybrid is extraordinarily well-equipped and undercuts the bottom value of the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid by just a few thousand {dollars}.
Ford refreshed the Escape’s exterior and improved its infotainment system simply two years in the past. Beneath the hood, a gas-electric 4-cylinder powertrain produces 210 hp and, just like the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, 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 simple 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 additional legroom or extra cargo area for load-lugging errands. This flexibility is an enormous bonus.
Decrease base value: Who doesn’t like saving some cash? Whereas we expect the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is an efficient worth, you may’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 non-compulsory 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 digital camera, and extra.
Examine this week’s Honest Buy Value or see the Escape Plug-in Hybrid fashions close to you.
Similarities
The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid 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 an identical cargo capability behind their split-folding second row, to not point out a great deal of security objects like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and computerized excessive beams, to call just a few.
Pricing
New 2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid Costs
New 2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Costs
The Kelley Blue Guide Honest Buy Value for any particular person used car can fluctuate drastically based on mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here mirror what consumers are at the moment paying for New 2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid autos and New 2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid autos in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s steered retail value (MSRP) quoted consists of the vacation spot payment, however doesn’t embrace tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
Specs
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid | 2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid | |
| Widespread Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Drive Wheels | AWD | FWD |
| All-Electrical Vary | 42 miles | 37 miles |
| Whole Vary | N/A | 481 miles (Est.) |
| Towing Capability | 2,500 kilos | 1,500 kilos |
| Payload Capability | N/A | N/A |
| Floor Clearance | 8.0 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Horsepower | 302 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 210 hp @ 6,250 rpm |
| Torque | 165 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm | 155 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | Computerized, ECVT w/Sequential Mode | Computerized, eCVT |
| Specs | ||
| Primary Guarantee | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Battery Guarantee | N/A | N/A |
| NHTSA Total Security | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capability | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 inches | 106.7 inches |
| Total Size | 180.9 inches | 180.1 inches |
| Width With Mirrors | 73.0 inches | 85.6 inches |
| Width With out Mirrors | N/A | 78.7 inches |
| Peak | 67.0 inches | 66.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.1 ft | 38.4 ft |
| Headroom, Entrance | N/A | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | N/A | 39.3 inches |
| Headroom, third Row | N/A | N/A |
| Legroom, Entrance | 41.0 inches | 42.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 37.8 inches | 38.9 inches |
| Legroom, third Row | N/A | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, Entrance | 57.8 inches | 57.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 56.4 inches | 56.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, third Row | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Final Seat | 33.4 ft | 34.4 ft |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 63.1 ft | 60.8 ft |
Specification desk displays the everyday configuration of autos proven.
Conclusion
Beginning with the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, we like its relaxed driving manners, cabin area, and lately up to date onboard tech. The Ford does many issues very effectively, 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 Plug-in Hybrid make it a really tempting various. Sure, its cabin design isn’t as cutting-edge as some newer opponents, although we’ve discovered all controls are inside simple attain, and the inside high quality feels a reduce above the Ford. Additional benefiting the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid are its customary all-wheel drive and superior resale worth in contrast with the Ford. For these causes, we advocate the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid.