Compare the2026 Ford Escape PHEVVS 2026 Toyota bZ

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Escape PHEV achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Toyota bZ has not been tested.

Both the Escape PHEV and the bZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Escape PHEV is safer than the Toyota bZ:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Escape PHEV is safer than the Toyota bZ:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 2 times as many Ford dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape PHEV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escape PHEV first among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The bZ isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ford higher than Toyota.

The Escape PHEV’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 503 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The bZ’s range is only 236 to 314 miles, after which

The Escape PHEV has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The bZ doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Escape PHEV stops shorter than the bZ:

The Escape PHEV has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the bZ; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Escape PHEV’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the bZ’s (37.2 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Escape PHEV is 4.5 inches shorter than the bZ, making the Escape PHEV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Escape PHEV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The bZ doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Escape PHEV has 7.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the bZ (102.2 vs. 94.4).

The Escape PHEV has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom, 8.5 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the bZ.

The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the bZ with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 27.7 cubic feet). The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the bZ with its rear seat folded (60.8 vs. 56.9 cubic feet).

The Escape PHEV’s cargo area is larger than the bZ’s in almost every dimension:

An optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Escape PHEV. The bZ doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Escape PHEV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The bZ has no towing capacity.

The Escape PHEV can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Escape PHEV can be unhitched and driven around locally. The bZ can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape PHEV uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The bZ doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Escape PHEV offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The bZ doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape PHEV’s available exterior PIN entry system. The bZ doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Safety Connect™ can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To lock it, the door handles on the bZ must be held while closing the door. On the Escape PHEV you just lock the door and close it, which makes it easier to lock up, especially when your hands are full.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Escape PHEV has a standard rear wiper. The bZ doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Escape PHEV, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the Toyota bZ by almost 8 to one during 2024.