2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier blocky design, embracing a more European aesthetic. This shift was evident in its refreshed front end, which replaced the previous grille with a more traditional design, featuring the Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. Despite its sleek appearance, the Escape maintained a compact stature within Ford's lineup, positioned alongside the Bronco Sport as one of the smallest SUVs. The ST-Line Elite trim, which was tested, boasted 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, giving it an upscale look akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape featured diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting, but the overall design was comfortable, with supportive seats and a well-positioned driver's seat.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid adopted a more substantial and blocky appearance since its 2019 redesign, with a trapezoidal grille inspired by Toyota's truck line. This design choice was mirrored by other manufacturers, making it less unique over time. The interior continued the angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard and a common layout for vehicles of its class. While the materials were average, with hard plastics prevalent, the build quality was strong, and the interior was free from creaks or squeaks. The base model's urethane steering wheel felt cheap, but higher trims offered a leather-wrapped option. Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid's design was practical, with a focus on functionality rather than luxury.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a range of 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 more powerful 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite its impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and a lack of performance tuning in the transmission. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 219 horsepower. This setup allowed the RAV4 Hybrid to accelerate to 100 km/h in approximately 7.5 seconds, making it quicker than the standard RAV4 and competitive within the hybrid SUV class. The brakes operated smoothly, with regenerative braking engaging initially and physical brakes taking over for more aggressive stops. The suspension provided a comfortable ride over bumps and potholes, with confident cornering. While not sporty, the RAV4 Hybrid's driving dynamics were satisfactory, offering a calm and effortless driving experience.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel, though plain, was pleasant to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. The Escape's cargo space was slightly smaller than some competitors, offering up to 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom in the back, but rear-seat legroom was slightly less than rivals.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered ample space in the front seats and adequate room for average-sized adults in the rear. While rear headroom was slightly more than some competitors, legroom was a bit less, though the differences were minor. The rear seat cushions were low, which might affect comfort for taller passengers on long trips. The RAV4 Hybrid provided 1,059 litres of cargo space, comparable to its non-hybrid counterpart and competitive with other hybrids. Interior storage was a highlight, with a wide dashboard shelf, a phone tray, large cupholders, and a spacious centre armrest bin. Dual-zone climate control was standard on all but the base trim.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, which was modern and intuitive. Lower trims had an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the ST-Line Elite and Platinum boasted a 13.2-inch display. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between features like Android Auto and the native navigation system. A Wi-Fi hotspot was available with a subscription, and a static "Home" button facilitated easy access to the main menu. While Sync 4 was slightly slow to respond, its overall feature set and layout were impressive. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with a Bang & Olufsen system optional on higher trims.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced a new multimedia infotainment system with modern graphics and logical menu arrangements. Most trims featured an 8.0-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an optional wireless charging pad. The system supported over-the-air updates and included a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims offered a fully digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL audio system, while most models had a standard six-speaker setup.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top 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 updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. An optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 package added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering features like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The safety systems functioned smoothly, with no false alarms during testing.