2023 Ford Escape vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while moving towards a more luxurious class. After Volvo's acquisition by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90, which debuted as a 2016 model. The 2022 XC90 showcased a sleek and athletic profile, with pronounced wheel arches and a distinctive "Thor's Hammer" LED headlight design. Inside, the XC90 exuded "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" with natural wood and metal trim, and options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery, reflecting Volvo's commitment to going leather-free by 2030.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. The 2023 refresh introduced a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo. As one of the smallest vehicles in Ford's lineup, the Escape offered a range of trim levels, with the ST-Line Elite featuring 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery, although hard and plasticky, provided a durable feel. The seats were comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, and the interior featured a mix of plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options, starting with the T5 model's turbocharged 2.0-litre gasoline four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The XC90 Recharge, a plug-in hybrid, combined a supercharged/turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Recharge model boasted an EV range of up to 58 kilometres and a combined fuel efficiency of 3.4 Le/100 km in hybrid mode.

The 2023 Ford Escape differentiated itself with two engine options. The 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, generating 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite the four-cylinder's impressive output, the Escape's suspension remained soft, prioritizing comfort over performance. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 accommodated six or seven passengers, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults found it lacking in legroom and thigh support. The XC90 offered 357 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 1,855 litres with the second and third rows folded. It could tow up to 2,250 kilograms, making it suitable for light towing needs. The interior featured ample storage, a spacious cabin, and a standard panoramic moonroof, with effective climate control for both summer and winter conditions.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics, with well-positioned armrests and a head-up display for driver convenience. 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 second row folded. Passenger space was slightly limited in rear-seat legroom, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for taller passengers.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, offering tablet-like functionality with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. While intuitive, the system was occasionally slow to respond, but Apple CarPlay improved its performance. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel provided easy customization, and the Advanced package included a head-up display and a 360-degree camera system. The XC90 also offered keyless entry and a Harman-Kardon audio system on higher trims, with USB ports for device charging.

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 system was well-organized, with easy navigation between Android Auto and the native navigation system. A wi-fi hotspot was available with a subscription, and a static "Home" button facilitated quick access to various applications. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its feature set and layout were commendable. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with a Bang & Olufsen system optional on higher trims.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued the brand's legacy of safety, with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist for semi-autonomous driving. It received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

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