The CR-V sells in massive numbers and has done for some time, which should suggest that the CR-V is a top contender. But unfortunately, that also means that you're likely to walk up to the wrong one in the Target parking lot. Millions sold means millions on the road, making your CR-V just another one of the crowd. Beyond that, the CR-V has always been slightly quirky. It's a strange exterior styling that might grow on you but might not.

The Ford Escape is always wildly popular--they're certainly not a unique presence on the road. However, the Escape looks more like a taller version of the Ford Focus, giving it a more streamlined, classic look rather than a hodgepodge creation with a leftover feel.

Few mainstream compact crossovers compare to the Ford Escape when it comes to handling, but a few rivals that put more power at the driver's disposal. For some crossovers, the persuasive purchasing power comes under the hood, where impressive engines give you a bit more of a thrill during your commute. The Honda CR-V isn't one of those powerhouses, though.

The standard 2.4-liter engine in the Honda is more powerful than the base and mid-range units in the Escape, but the 190 horsepower of the CRV's optional engine is no match for the 245 horsepower of the optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost in the Escape. Beyond the engine power, the handling of the Escape is far better than the CR-V, making your drive effortless.

Most SUV buyers are looking for an alternative to an old-school sedan or a tremendously practically minivan, and family is often on the minds of those buyers. Therefore, safety matters. The Escape does reasonably well in the IIHS and NHTSA safety ratings, and the feds go as far as to give it their full five star safety rating. It doesn't get Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS though.

That's a problem, though, because the Honda CR-V does--as long as it's equipped with the LED headlights that can only be found on top trims. However, nearly every version of the CR-V comes equipped with some impressive advanced safety technology and that gives the nod to the Honda.

The Ford covers all the bases in its entry level trim by including the likes of power features, a rearview camera, air conditioning, cruise control, 17-inch wheels, an AM/FM/CD player with six speakers and Ford Sync infotainment as standard.

You'll get an almost identical set of features with base level versions of the Honda. However, you don't get very many options to customize as you go up the trim levels, which seems odd to us. We'll give this one to the Ford, if only for the power of choice.