2023 Ford Escape vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a continuation of its second generation, showcased a mature design that had remained largely unchanged since its last major overhaul in 2008. Despite its age, the Sequoia maintained a classic aesthetic with a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight body lines, giving it a substantial presence. Its dimensions were impressive, standing 1,956 mm tall, 2,030 mm wide, and 5,210 mm long, with a wheelbase of 3,099 mm. The interior, however, felt dated compared to modern SUVs, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen that seemed out of place in an era of larger digital displays. Nevertheless, the Sequoia's interior was built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and comfort for families.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more modern European design language, moving away from the blocky aesthetics of its predecessors. The refreshed front end featured a traditional grille with the Ford logo and a stylish LED light bar. As one of the smaller vehicles in Ford's lineup, the Escape offered a sleek design with 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps. Inside, the ST-Line Elite trim boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, although it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The Escape's interior was comfortable, with supportive seats and a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, making it suitable for long drives. However, the use of plastic materials in the cabin felt cost-cutting, detracting from the overall upscale appearance.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential, and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a maximum towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Despite its hefty weight of around 2,721.5 kilograms, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its body-on-frame construction and four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension. However, its fuel consumption ratings were less impressive, with 18.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 13.9 on the highway.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The latter was available exclusively with AWD and provided better acceleration and high-speed performance. Despite its impressive output, the Escape's suspension remained soft and compliant, prioritizing comfort over performance. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors. However, the transmission lacked performance tuning, and the absence of paddle shifters limited driver control.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia excelled in passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The cargo area was versatile, with 535 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and a massive 3,401 litres with both the second and third rows down. The Sequoia's interior storage options were plentiful, with a large centre console, glove compartment, and door pockets.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with well-designed ergonomics. The seats were soft and supportive, and the steering wheel felt great to hold. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space compared to some competitors, offering 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the second row folded. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom in the back, but rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some rivals. The front-seat backs were padded and scalloped to maximize space for taller passengers.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the infotainment system's clunky operation was a drawback. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker JBL audio system, but the lack of modern powertrain technology left the Sequoia behind its competitors. However, all exterior lighting was LED, and standard safety features included a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look, and Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between features like Android Auto and the native navigation system. A wi-fi hotspot was available, and the audio system could be upgraded to a Bang & Olufsen setup. Despite minor annoyances like the volume knob placement, the Escape's tech features were attractive and intuitive.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, but it was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The STAR safety system added stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. The Sequoia's safety features aimed to prevent accidents and protect occupants in the event of a collision.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, it received a Marginal score in the IIHS's updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, offering features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera, enhancing the Escape's safety credentials.