Which compact SUV feels more at home in the Colorado Rockies, the 2025 Ford Escape or the 2025 Chevy Equinox? Our buying guide helps you choose a daily driver that can handle the local landscape!
Key Takeaways
- On a budget? The 2025 Equinox comes at the lowest price!
- With more available luxury, the Escape keeps you comfiest as you cruise Colorado’s mountain highways.
- To save at the pump, check out the Escape’s thrifty hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains!
- Both SUVs impress with their smartphone-savvy infotainment and street-smart driving aids.
Starting Price: 2025 Chevy Equinox
Starting at just $28,600, the Chevy Equinox is the most budget-friendly option. Then again, the Escape’s $29,150 MSRP won’t raise your monthly payment all that much! Whichever compact SUV you select, the final price will vary according to trim model, options, and other fees.
Modern Amenities: 2025 Ford Escape
Looking for luxury? The Escape offers high-end features you won’t find on the Equinox, like genuine leather upholstery and a head-up display. Even if you’re not shopping for a high-end trim model, the lower Escape trim models (and their long lists of modern features) come out on top. Standard equipment includes smartphone-friendly infotainment, advanced driver safety aids, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel!
Although the Equinox doesn’t offer as many upscale features as the Escape, it’s still available with some pretty good ones! On higher trims, you’ll find heated and ventilated front seats and synthetic leather upholstery. This Chevy SUV also delivers a well-rounded standard lineup, with a Google-based infotainment system, remote ignition, and helpful safety technology.
Efficient Commuting: 2025 Ford Escape
Interestingly, the Escape offers both the best EPA ratings and the most mountain-friendly power! With its rechargeable plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Escape PHEV trim model earns an incredible 101 MPGe combined. For a trail-friendly power bump, check out the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine. Its 250 horses and 280 pound-feet of torque are always welcome in the Rockies! Equipped with traction-boosting all-wheel drive, the Escape is ready for even the toughest Colorado winters.
2025 Ford Escape Performance 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
Without any hybrid options, the Chevy Equinox isn’t quite as thrifty, with EPA ratings of up to 27 mpg combined. It’s also not as powerful as the Escape, with only a 175-horsepower four-cylinder engine available. On the other hand, though, the Equinox does offer all-wheel drive, boosting traction to help keep you from slipping across icy pavement!
2025 Chevy Equinox Performance Options
- Turbo 1.5L four-cylinder engine (175 hp, 184 lb-ft)
- Continuously variable transmission
- Available eight-speed automatic transmission (included with all-wheel drive)
- Front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive
Tech Innovation: It’s a Tie!
Both compact crossovers keep you entertained and informed, thanks to the latest infotainment gear. Thanks to their standard touchscreen interfaces and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, it’s easy to access your music collection or maps app. As you move up the these models’ respective lists of trim models, upgrades like built-in navigation, a bigger central touchscreen, and premium sound system become available.
The Escape and Equinox also aim to keep you vigilant! Standard safety aids — like forward collision mitigation, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance — alert you to potential issues. Some of these systems even act on your behalf, pulling you up short of danger. Safety upgrades include a 360-degree camera and (for the Escape) evasive steering assist technology.
Thanks to its strong performance, available all-wheel drive, and thrifty powertrain options, it’s easy to name the 2025 Ford Escape the best compact SUV for snow and mountain driving in Brighton, CO, for 2025! And the fun doesn’t end there, because Ford’s compact crossover SUV is also loaded with comfort and tech features designed to enhance your daily drive. Evaluate the Escape’s performance against the Colorado elements on your own terms— visit us at Brighton Ford for a test-drive!