
The bad news is that the RAV4 only comes standard with Sport, Eco, and Normal modes.

The good news is that both the 2021 Escape and the 2021 RAV4 offer selectable drive modes. Good examples of the need for this include snowstorms, heavy rains, and dirt or mud roads. Basically, when you select a specific drive mode, the vehicle’s performance adjusts to match its surroundings. Most modern crossovers and SUVs now come with something called “drive modes.” These selectable modes are designed to make your vehicle perform better under certain driving conditions. Overall, the Escape beats the RAV4’s general performance specs and does so at a lower price to boot. The more powerful engine also comes standard with all-wheel drive for more sure-footed performance. With the optional engine, the 2021 Escape boasts 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, giving you an exhilarating ride. However, if you want real performance, the Toyota SUV offers nothing that can compete with Ford’s 2.0L EcoBoost engine. That stacks up nicely against the RAV4 with its 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Sure, the base engine is only a 3-cylinder, but that turbocharger makes all the difference and enables it to deliver 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Escape offers more horsepower and more torque than the RAV4, and a big difference between the two lies in the Escape’s turbocharged engine options. The 2021 Escape’s power shines through in its specs. The maximum towing capacity for both vehicles also tops out at 3,500 pounds, although the RAV4 only offers that maximum on a handful of trims. However, both SUVs pair their engines with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offer the choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. These include 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter EcoBoost options, giving the Ford significantly better performance than the solitary engine in the RAV4 offers.

When it comes to performance, the Ford Escape starts out strong with two different turbocharged engine options. All we’re going to say for now is that by the end of this article, you’ll be heading to your local Ford Escape dealership without any doubts in your mind.

Yes, that’s right, it’s Ford versus Toyota. So, the question remains: which crossover model is truly the best? Today, we’re focusing on the 2021 Escape vs 2021 RAV4. But there are a lot of crossover brands out there, with fan bases of each brand. Crossovers are becoming more and more desirable because they handle like a car, but they provide the space of an SUV.
