2022 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Kia Sportage presented a mixed bag in terms of design. While Kia's signature tiger-nose grille was a hit on models like the Stinger and Sorento, it seemed out of place on the Sportage, resembling a Halloween party fake mustache. Despite this, the Sportage excelled in other design aspects, with its four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and a Volkswagen-style symmetry in the rear. The SX trim's 19-inch alloy wheels added to its planted stance, and the interior boasted a Germanic design with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and straightforward instrumentation. The use of buttons and knobs for controls made the Sportage user-friendly, and the solid transmission shifter added a touch of quality.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. The refreshed front end featured a traditional grille with the Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. As one of Ford's smallest vehicles, the Escape offered a range of trim levels, with the ST-Line Elite being the top-tier option. The Escape's design was sleek, with 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to the Mazda CX-5. Inside, the ST-Line Elite flaunted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat made long drives pleasant. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models came with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Sportage SX, however, boasted a more powerful 237 hp engine with 260 lb-ft of torque, making it ideal for those living at higher elevations. The SX's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque available between 1,450 and 3,500 rpm, providing a surprising surge of power. The Sportage's suspension, featuring MacPherson struts in the front and an independent multi-link rear, delivered a smooth and compliant ride, though it exhibited some body roll and lateral rocking. While the Sportage felt athletic in turns, its steering and tire grip could have been sharper.

The 2023 Ford Escape stood out with its multiple powertrain options. The base engine was a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, delivering 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, exclusively available with AWD. Despite the impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters for manual gear changes. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though on the smaller side of the compact crossover scale, offered a roomy passenger compartment. The SX trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port, with heated rear seats on the SX grade. The Sportage's cargo space was limited, with 1,703 litres available with the second-row seats folded and 868 litres behind the back seat. Kia's smart liftgate technology provided hands-free access, though it could be turned off if not needed.

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

The 2022 Kia Sportage came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The SX trim added UVO Intelligence connected services, satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, the UVO Intelligence system lagged in technological sophistication, lacking a WiFi hotspot and offering wired smartphone mirroring.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims like the ST-Line Elite. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look, and Sync 4's organization made navigation easy. A WiFi hotspot was available with a subscription, and the system included a static "Home" button for easy access to various applications. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its feature set and layout were impressive. The audio system ranged from a standard six-speaker setup to an optional Bang & Olufsen system on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia Sportage's EX and SX grades included safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SX trim also had adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favourable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX earning an Acceptable headlight rating for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2023 Ford Escape earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Co-Pilot360 2.0, available as an upgrade, added features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.