2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged look. However, its side profile introduced a swooping character line that added unnecessary visual weight, making it appear somewhat bloated. The rear design echoed the front grille, but the overall look felt disjointed compared to more cohesive designs like the Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash and metallic styling elements provided a unique yet functional interior, though the Bronze Edition's fabric upholstery was less practical for families.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from its previous blocky exterior. The refreshed front end featured a traditional grille with a stylish LED light bar, giving it a more upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. The ST-Line Elite trim showcased 19-inch wheels and body-colour accents, enhancing its sleek design. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked upscale but felt hard. Despite this, the seats were comfortable, and the interior was designed for durability, with a well-weighted steering system that avoided the twitchiness found in some competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive, with an estimated acceleration to 100 km/h in just over eight seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick initial response, but the engine's hum became a drone under heavy acceleration. The ride quality was soft, with a suspension that smoothed out road bumps, making it a quiet and comfortable family vehicle.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options. The 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivered 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with 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 pound-feet of torque, providing better acceleration and passing power. Despite its output, the Escape wasn't a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding overly boosted inputs.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage was plentiful, with various trays and bins for personal items. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining captain’s chairs, while the third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with seats folded, and 2,387 litres at maximum capacity.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics. The armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was adjustable for different drivers. Cargo space was 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with seats folded, smaller than some competitors but adequate for daily use. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than rivals, but headroom was impressive, with scalloped front-seat backs maximizing space for taller passengers.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option on top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a wireless charging pad on higher trims. Navigation and a JBL audio system were available on Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 system, featuring an 8-inch or optional 13.2-inch touchscreen. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look, with well-organized tiles for navigation and media. A static "Home" button facilitated easy navigation, though Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with a Bang & Olufsen option on higher trims.

The 2022 Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist required fine-tuning.

The 2023 Ford Escape also earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but did not receive a Top Safety Pick from IIHS due to a Marginal side-impact test score. Standard Co-Pilot360 features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology for semi-autonomous driving.