I’ve been diving deep into the new car grades on Edmunds, and something about the consistency of the editors caught my attention, specifically when comparing the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V. After reviewing the ‘report card’ for the ‘B’ rated Escape against the ‘A’ rated CR-V, and spending considerable time reading Edmunds’ reviews, a discrepancy emerged that warrants a closer look.
Edmunds actually provides a direct comparison between these two popular SUVs, ultimately favoring the CR-V—a conclusion I personally question, though they do articulate their reasoning. Within that comparison review, the photo captions included a particularly telling statement: the Escape is highlighted as the superior vehicle in driving dynamics and handling, boasting more power.
Interestingly, the power aspect is consistently reflected in the drivetrain scores within Edmunds’ report cards. However, when examining the steering and handling categories, the Honda CR-V surprisingly receives an ‘A’ grade. This is despite Edmunds’ own review explicitly stating that their test staff found the Escape to be superior in these very aspects. Conversely, the Escape is given a ‘B’ for both steering and handling.
This rating disparity raises questions. Could acknowledging the Escape’s superior handling and steering have potentially elevated its overall grade to an ‘A’, or perhaps conversely, lowered the CR-V’s grade from an ‘A’ to a ‘B’? It’s hard to say definitively.
What is clear, and widely acknowledged across various platforms and opinions, is that while the Honda CR-V undoubtedly excels in practicality and utility, making it a favorite for many, the Ford Escape distinguishes itself as the more engaging and dynamically superior vehicle in its class. This dynamic edge, often described as the “Ferrari of the class” in terms of driving feel, doesn’t seem to be adequately reflected in Edmunds’ ratings. The expectation would be for the Escape to receive a higher rating than the CR-V in those specific areas where its performance is demonstrably stronger.
This leads to the question of potential bias. Could Edmunds’ preference for the Honda brand be inadvertently influencing the report card ratings? It’s important to emphasize that car comparisons and ratings are intended to be objective tools, assisting consumers in making informed purchasing decisions. While the Edmunds comparison article itself does a commendable job of outlining the strengths and weaknesses of both vehicles, empowering readers to prioritize their individual needs and preferences, the ratings system appears to fall short in reflecting the nuanced performance differences, particularly in handling and steering, between the Escape and CR-V.
The core issue lies in ensuring that the ratings accurately mirror the insights presented in the reviews, especially concerning subjective driving experiences like handling and steering. Feedback, particularly from Edmunds, would be invaluable in understanding the rationale behind these rating choices and ensuring greater consistency between reviews and report card grades in future car comparisons.
