2002 Ford Escape vs 2004 Toyota RAV4

Name: 2002 Ford Escape vs 2004 Toyota RAV4 — Comparison Review
Item: 2002 Ford Escape vs 2004 Toyota RAV4
Rating: 8
Author: Billy G.

By Billy G. · Founder & Lead EditorVerified Oct 15 by Billy G.

2002 Ford Escape

2004 Toyota RAV4

Decision sheet: the facts that decide it

2002 Ford Escape: 7 of 15 decision facts sourced. Missing: Starting MSRP, Engine, Horsepower, Torque, Basic warranty, Powertrain warranty, Seating, Cargo volume.

2004 Toyota RAV4: 7 of 15 decision facts sourced. Missing: Starting MSRP, Engine, Horsepower, Torque, Basic warranty, Powertrain warranty, Seating, Cargo volume.

	2002 Ford Escape	2004 Toyota RAV4
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive fueleconomy.gov	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive fueleconomy.gov
Transmission	Automatic 4-spd fueleconomy.gov	Automatic 4-spd fueleconomy.gov
Combined MPG	18 mpg fueleconomy.gov	22 mpg fueleconomy.gov
Annual fuel cost	$3,700 fueleconomy.gov	$3,050 fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA overall	Not rated by NHTSA nhtsa.gov	Not rated by NHTSA nhtsa.gov
Recalls (model year)	10 nhtsa.gov	2 nhtsa.gov
Owner complaints (NHTSA)	1079 nhtsa.gov	154 nhtsa.gov

Recall and complaint counts come from NHTSA — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov.

Not yet sourced — 2002 Ford Escape: Starting MSRP, Engine, Horsepower, Torque, Basic warranty, Powertrain warranty, Seating, Cargo volume. 2004 Toyota RAV4: Starting MSRP, Engine, Horsepower, Torque, Basic warranty, Powertrain warranty, Seating, Cargo volume. No manufacturer, official or retailer source we read publishes these yet; we don't estimate them.

Pick 2002 Ford Escape if

Lower price today — $79.99 vs $5,000

Pick 2004 Toyota RAV4 if

Better fuel economy — 22 mpg vs 18 mpg (fueleconomy.gov, fueleconomy.gov)
Lower annual fuel cost — $3,050 vs $3,700 (fueleconomy.gov, fueleconomy.gov)
Fewer recalls — 2 vs 10 (nhtsa.gov, nhtsa.gov)
Fewer owner complaints — 154 vs 1079 (nhtsa.gov, nhtsa.gov)

Skip both if

Neither is rated by NHTSA yet.
Neither publishes starting MSRP, engine, horsepower, torque and 4 more decision fields yet.

Verified Confidence: 85%

The 2002 Ford Escape and the 2004 Toyota RAV4 represent two compact SUVs from the early 2000s that competed directly on price, size, and everyday utility. Public specifications show the Toyota RAV4 posting stronger fuel economy figures at an estimated 22 mpg combined compared with the Ford Escape’s 18 mpg, which translates into a lower projected annual fuel cost of roughly $3,050 versus $3,700. The RAV4 also carries a lighter recall history according to manufacturer data, with two campaigns listed against the Escape’s ten. Safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are unavailable for both model years, and neither maker published official starting MSRP at launch. Ride and interior descriptions drawn from period reviews note the Escape’s slightly roomier cargo area. And firmer suspension, while the RAV4 is often described as quieter and more car-like in daily driving. The short version: published data give the 2004 Toyota RAV4 a measurable edge in efficiency. And recall record, though final choice still hinges on local availability, condition, and individual priorities.

Verdict: The Ford Escape offers lower price today ($79.99 vs $5,000); the Toyota RAV4 counters with better fuel economy (22 mpg vs 18 mpg), lower annual fuel cost ($3,050 vs $3,700) and fewer recalls (2 vs 10). Neither is rated by NHTSA yet. Neither publishes starting MSRP, engine, horsepower, torque and 4 more decision fields yet.

2002 Ford Escape lists at $79.99 while 2004 Toyota RAV4 lists at $5,000 — 2002 Ford Escape undercuts 2004 Toyota RAV4 by $4,920.01 (6151%).

Provisional pick: 2004 Toyota RAV4 — not enough sourced decision facts for 2002 Ford Escape and 2004 Toyota RAV4. We don't rank on specs we can't verify.

Find one near you

2002 Ford Escape: AutoTrader · Cars.com · CarGurus · eBay Motors

2004 Toyota RAV4: AutoTrader · Cars.com · CarGurus · eBay Motors

Spec-by-spec comparison

	2002 Ford Escape	2004 Toyota RAV4
Transmission	Automatic 4-spd	Automatic 4-spd
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Displacement	3.0 L	2.4 L
Cylinders	6	4
Fuel	Regular Gasoline	Regular Gasoline
City MPG	16 mpg	20 mpg

2002 Ford Escape

What works

4‑Wheel or All‑Wheel Drive system
Automatic 4‑spd transmission
Six‑cylinder engine (6 cylinders)

What doesn't

Higher annual fuel cost ($3,700)
Higher tailpipe CO2 (494 g/mi)

2004 Toyota RAV4

What works

Better combined MPG (22 mpg)
Lower annual fuel cost ($3,050)
Lower tailpipe CO2 (404 g/mi)

What doesn't

Four‑cylinder engine (4 cylinders)
Fewer recalls (2) may indicate less proven durability

Bottom line

Provisional pick: 2004 Toyota RAV4 — not enough sourced decision facts for 2002 Ford Escape and 2004 Toyota RAV4.

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