2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox presented itself as an attractive crossover, even if it didn't boast the futuristic design of a Kia Sportage or the rugged appearance of a Toyota RAV4. Its restrained bodywork was complemented by a chunky front end, which made the grille appear smaller and more refined compared to the aggressive fascias common in the industry. The gold Bowtie emblem, while a bit garish against certain paint colours like Radiant Red Tintcoat, looked appealing on others such as Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with AWD as an option on the LS and LT trims in Canada, and standard on the RS and Premier.

Inside, the Equinox offered a sense of spaciousness, thanks to its thick C-pillar and large windows. The Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery, with heated front seats standard across all trims in Canada. While the interior design felt somewhat dated with its small touchscreen and basic driver-information display, it remained practical and user-friendly. The PRNDL shift lever was a refreshing change from the increasingly common dial- and button shifters, and the optional Confidence and Convenience II package added desirable features like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Ford Escape, meanwhile, embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. A 2023 refresh introduced a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo. The Escape was one of the smallest vehicles in Ford's lineup, available in trims ranging from Active to ST-Line Elite. Our test vehicle, the ST-Line Elite, featured 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5.

Inside, the Escape's ST-Line Elite trim showcased diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable and well-padded, with a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat. The interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced. Despite this, the Escape offered a comfortable driving experience, with well-weighted steering and a soft suspension that handled rough roads with ease.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration adequately, it struggled to deliver the desired performance at higher speeds. The Equinox's six-speed automatic transmission, though older, contributed to the powertrain's noise due to its longer gear holds. AWD was available across all trims, but required manual engagement via a button on the centre console. The Equinox's braking system was upgraded to an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth and predictable stopping power. Its suspension was well-tuned, offering a comfortable ride and precise steering.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine was available with FWD or AWD. Higher trims like the ST-Line Elite featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite its impressive output, the Escape's suspension remained soft, prioritizing comfort over performance. The brakes provided linear stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 847 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,809 litres with the seats folded. While it couldn't match the cargo capacity of some competitors, it provided ample passenger space, with sufficient headroom and legroom for taller occupants. The interior featured higher-quality plastic materials, with convenient storage options like cup holders and a centre console bin. The Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof was available on all trims except the base LS.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided up to 1,061 litres of storage behind the second row, increasing to 1,851 litres with the seats folded. While it fell short of segment leaders in cargo space, it was adequate for daily use. Passenger space was slightly limited in the rear, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for taller passengers. The interior featured well-positioned armrests and convenient cupholder placement, with a head-up display available for easy adjustment.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple yet effective technology suite. The LS, LT, and RS trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Premier offered an 8-inch display. Despite its simplicity, the infotainment system was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard across all trims, with a wireless charging pad included in the Premier. The optional Bose seven-speaker audio system enhanced the listening experience.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch display on higher trims like the ST-Line Elite. The larger screen elevated the cabin's look, and Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between features. A Wi-Fi hotspot was available with a subscription, and the system included a static "Home" button for quick access. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its overall feature set and layout were impressive. A Bang & Olufsen sound system was optional on higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came equipped with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on all trims except Premier. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in some IIHS crash tests, with a Poor rating in the moderate overlap front crash test and a Marginal score in the side-impact test.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, it did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape's Co-Pilot360 suite included features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring as standard. Co-Pilot360 2.0, available as an upgrade, added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology for a semi-autonomous driving experience.