Ford Escape vs Jeep Wrangler
What's the difference?

Ford Escape

$14,868 - $35,990

2022 price

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Jeep Wrangler

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2024 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

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Summary

2022 Ford Escape

2024 Jeep Wrangler

By Matt Campbell

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.5L

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Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded/Electric

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Fuel Efficiency

1.5L/100km (combined)

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Energy consumption

14.7 kWh/100km

Electric range

69 km

Battery capacity

14.40 kWh

Seating

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Likes

Good genuine electric driving range
Decent packaging
Palatable price

Super off-road capable
Tough, fun and nostalgic styling
New engine is a winner

Dislikes

Why ST-Line spec?
Make sure your use case fits the limitations
A lot more expensive than petrol-only ST-Line

Expensive
Not-so-great on-road dynamics and steering
Lower level of crash safety compared to rivals

2022 Ford Escape Summary

We might have been excited to see the new generation Ford Ranger and Ford Everest models in 2022, but the real star of the show for the Blue Oval brand could well be this - its first electrified model to make it to Australia, the new Ford Escape PHEV.

If you’ve seen the letters PHEV before and not understood what it meant, don’t stress - you’re not alone. It stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. And what that means is that this car comes with a battery bank and electric motor, a port to plug it in and recharge it to drive on EV power only, and it also has a petrol engine to make sure you’re not stuck when you run out of charge.

I’ll run through all the details on the drivetrain below, but think of it this way - if you want a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid but want the possibility to drive on dedicated electric power for up to (and in excess of) 50 kilometres on a charge, this could be the right car for you…

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2024 Jeep Wrangler Summary

The first two things any new starter who arrives in the design department of Jeep’s headquarters in Ohio is told are, 1) The bathrooms are here and, 2) Don’t change the Wrangler.

Okay, I made that up, but it’s probably not far from the truth, because the Wrangler isn’t just iconic for Jeep, but iconic for the entire car world in a similar way to the Porsche 911 and the Ford Mustang.

The Jeep Wrangler is the equivalent of a Hollywood superstar - the Clint Eastwood of the car world - with its design that stretches all the way back to the iconic little off-roader purpose-built for the US Army in World War II.

So, how do you make changes without changing the recipe? Well, the Wrangler has been updated and we went to the Aussie launch to see what’s changed.

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Deep dive comparison

2022 Ford Escape 2024 Jeep Wrangler

Verdict

The Ford Escape PHEV is a good option for a customer who knows they’ll live within the parameters set by the car. That’s the case with any plug-in hybrid, really, so in that regard, this new model is hardly a standout.

And it isn’t particularly outstanding in any other way either. I personally would have appreciated it if Ford had decided to add the plug-in powertrain to the Vignale flagship model instead - that model is more about luxury than sportiness, and would better fit the character of this powertrain in my opinion.

It’s a decent addition to the brand’s SUV range, and a welcome one to the segment, though it won’t be on its own for long.

Verdict

The changes to this updated Jeep Wrangler are small but meaningful. The inclusion of airbags, the updated media screen, and a feisty engine which suits the plucky nature of this off-roader make it a better Wrangler than ever.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Ford Escape vs Jeep Wrangler What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Ford Escape vs Jeep Wrangler
What's the difference?