2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a commanding presence on the road, towering nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground and stretching up to 19 feet in length. It was designed to impress, with its three rows of leather seats and an array of advanced technology. The Escalade ESV variant added an extra 15 inches to the wheelbase, enhancing its already substantial size. Despite its massive dimensions, the Escalade managed to appear athletic and trim, thanks to design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome accents on the Sport Platinum trim. The interior was luxurious, especially in the first row, with a 38-inch curved screen and high-quality wood trim. However, some components, like the heated seat controls and shifter, felt less premium, borrowed from cheaper GM models.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo. The Escape ST-Line Elite trim sported 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Escape offered diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat 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 materials, which detracted from the overall feel of quality.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. While it provided ample power for towing up to 8,200 pounds, the Escalade felt heavy during passing maneuvers. The 10-speed automatic transmission was responsive, but the powertrain seemed more suited for gentle cruising. The Escalade-V variant addressed acceleration concerns with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. The optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 offered a smoother torque delivery and better fuel economy, achieving a combined 22 mpg with 4WD. The Escalade's magnetic dampers and air suspension contributed to a nimble and maneuverable ride, though wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. This engine could be paired with FWD or AWD, offering competitive performance within its segment. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine, available exclusively with AWD, offered better acceleration and passing capabilities. However, the Escape's suspension remained soft, prioritizing comfort over performance. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an exceptionally spacious interior, with 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Escalade ESV variant offered even more room, with a maximum of 143 cubic feet. The independent rear suspension allowed for generous headroom and legroom in all rows, accommodating six adults comfortably. The controls were intuitive, with a smart and fast infotainment system. Features like a front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps added convenience, though the second-row seats were not powered.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics, with well-positioned armrests and convenient cupholders. The head-up display was easy to adjust for different drivers. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. This was less than some competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Rear-seat legroom was also slightly less than rivals, though headroom was impressive. The front-seat backs were padded and scalloped to maximize space for rear passengers.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a span of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear displays. The front camera offered a high-resolution feed with navigation overlays, enhancing the driver's field of view. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, was a standout feature, offering hands-free highway driving with infrared eye-tracking cameras. The Escalade also included night vision with pedestrian detection and a 36-speaker AKG audio system. The front seats offered massage functions, and the rear-seat entertainment system could stream apps like Hulu.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, available with an 8-inch or 13.2-inch touchscreen. The larger screen, standard on higher trims, enhanced the cabin's look and offered a well-organized interface with tiles for navigation, music, and Bluetooth. The system was easy to navigate, though it was occasionally slow to respond. The volume knob's placement was inconvenient, but the overall feature set and layout were impressive.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade received four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert seat, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Super Cruise.

The 2023 Ford Escape earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The IIHS rated it "Good" in most tests but gave a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology.