2017 Ford Escape vs. Its Competition

Kirk Bell Senior Editor

Crossover SUVs have replaced sedans in many family garages, and the Escape competes for one of those parking spaces along with a truly impressive group of compact vehicles.

The class leader, the Honda CR-V, has a unique fold-away second-row seat that's best in the class.

As a direct rival, the Mazda CX-5 is probably the best-driving model in this class, so cross-shop that if you're fond of the Escape's sporty side.

The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport pairs five seats with 4-cylinder engines and a lovely and spacious interior.

The Escape also competes with the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, smaller crossovers with very good gas mileage and in the Kia's case, fun turbo power.

The Toyota RAV4 is only offered with a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine, and it's not powerful, though it handles and looks better than in the recent past.

And finally, the Nissan Rogue is fairly refined and well equipped, though its CVT and 4-cylinder make for dull acceleration.