2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the original Ioniq, by establishing itself as a standalone brand focused solely on electric vehicles. This new model showcased a polished exterior with minimal character lines, yet its design was a complex interplay of elements that could be both fascinating and frustrating. The Parametric Pixel design, reminiscent of 8-bit graphics, was a standout feature, with pixelated lighting elements integrated throughout the vehicle. The interior, contrasting the exterior's boldness, embraced a "Living Space" theme, offering a serene and comfortable environment with sustainable materials and innovative features like the "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the rugged, boxy aesthetic of its predecessors. The refreshed model featured a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo. Despite its sleek appearance, the Escape maintained a sense of upscale design, akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the ST-Line Elite trim boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The Escape's interior was comfortable, with well-padded seats and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, making it suitable for long drives. However, the extensive use of plastic in the cabin detracted from its overall appeal.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrain options in Canada, with two trims and three powertrains. The base model featured a single 125-kW rear-mounted electric motor, delivering 168 horsepower and a range of 354 kilometres. The Preferred long-range variant boasted a 168-kW rear motor, producing 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 488 kilometres. The AWD version, with a dual-motor system, provided 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, though the range dropped to 414 km. The Ioniq 5's performance was middle-of-the-road for a midsize crossover, with four drive modes, including Sport mode, which added excitement but reduced range. The vehicle's quiet cabin and noise-reducing features enhanced the driving experience.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered two engine options, starting with a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine was available with FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, exclusively with AWD. While the four-cylinder engine provided impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 utilized the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), maximizing interior space with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. The Ioniq 5 offered a total interior volume of 3,786 litres, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The vehicle's "Living Space" theme extended to its interior, with soft touchpoints and a moveable centre console. The leatherette seats provided comfort and support, catering to both slim and larger drivers.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with well-positioned armrests and supportive seats. However, it fell short in cargo space compared to segment leaders, offering up to 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the second row folded. Passenger space was slightly less than competitors, but the back seat's headroom and scalloped front-seat backs helped maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 impressed with its advanced technology, featuring a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and could charge other devices. The Ioniq 5's multimedia features included a redesigned Blue Link app, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for clear visibility.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured Sync 4 technology, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications like Android Auto and the native navigation system. A wi-fi hotspot was available with a subscription. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its layout and ease of use were impressive. The Escape offered a standard six-speaker sound system, with a Bang & Olufsen system optional on higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, adapted to the driver's habits through machine learning. The Ioniq 5 also featured a head-up display with augmented reality overlays, though it could be distracting. While crash-safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's history of IIHS Top Safety awards suggested high marks for the Ioniq 5.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal- and side-crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. However, the IIHS did not grant it a Top Safety Pick designation due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0, available as an upgrade, added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.