2023 Ford Escape vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. This shift was evident in its refreshed front end, which replaced the previous grille with a more traditional look, featuring the Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. Despite its sleek design, the Escape maintained a compact stature within Ford's SUV lineup, offering a range of trims from Active to ST-Line Elite. The ST-Line Elite trim, which was tested, boasted 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape featured diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The seats, however, were comfortable and supportive, making long drives pleasant. The interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting, but the overall design was functional and durable.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Pilot underwent a complete redesign, adopting a more rugged and substantial appearance. The fourth-generation model was larger, with increased dimensions that complemented its all-terrain-capable TrailSport model. This trim included off-road enhancements like a taller ride height, unique wheels, and underbody skid plates. The Pilot's interior took a conventional styling route, prioritizing functionality and versatility. Materials quality met class expectations, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard in Canada. The Pilot's design emphasized function over form, resulting in a tidy and utilitarian aesthetic that was preferred over the previous generation.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. This engine could be paired with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, providing competitive performance within its segment. Higher trims like the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. While the Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable for everyday driving, it lacked the precision of a performance crossover. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by a new 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the Pilot came standard with Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system. The Pilot's acceleration was quick, with a pleasant engine hum, and the brake pedal was soft, suitable for a family SUV. While the Pilot handled corners confidently, it was not designed for sporty driving, with noticeable body roll and light steering. The TrailSport trim offered increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities without sacrificing on-road comfort. The Pilot's towing capacity reached up to 2,268 kg, making it a versatile choice for families seeking adventure.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel, though plain, was comfortable to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. The Escape's cargo space was adequate for daily use, offering up to 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the second row folded. However, it fell short compared to segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. 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 2023 Honda Pilot's interior was more conventional, with a practical dash shelf for the front passenger. The entry-level Sport trim featured a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The Pilot excelled in storage and convenience features, with a large centre console bin and clever storage solutions. The second-row centre seat was stowable, providing a pass-through for third-row access. The Pilot offered ample space in the second row, while the third row was less accommodating for long trips. Cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 3,219 litres available behind the front seats, significantly more than competitors like the Kia Telluride.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims like the ST-Line Elite. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look and offered intuitive navigation with individual tiles for various functions. While Sync 4 was generally user-friendly, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with a Bang & Olufsen system available on higher trims.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's technology was best experienced from the EX-L trim level, which included a larger touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger. The Touring trim added USB ports in every row, a multi-view camera system, and a head-up display. The infotainment system was responsive and logically laid out, with features like Honda's CabinTalk for rear-seat communication. The Touring trim also included a Bose premium audio system and navigation.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, the IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. Standard safety features included Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, with options to upgrade to Co-Pilot360 2.0 for advanced driver-assist features.

The 2023 Honda Pilot earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, the highest available. Standard safety features included Honda Sensing, with additional features like parking sensors and a surround-view camera system on higher trims. The Pilot's safety systems performed reliably, with adaptive cruise control providing smooth operation.