2023 Ford Escape vs 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. This shift was evident in the refreshed front end, which replaced the previous grille with a more traditional look, complete with a central Ford logo and a stylish LED light bar. Despite its smaller size in Ford's SUV lineup, the Escape managed to present an upscale appearance, especially in the ST-Line Elite trim, which featured 19-inch wheels and body-colour accents. Inside, the Escape offered diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the driver's seat was highly adjustable, making long drives pleasant. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza boasted a sleek and sculpted design, reminiscent of a luxury vehicle. Its contoured body and tapering roofline gave it a distinctive look, setting it apart from typical Toyota models. Inside, the Venza borrowed elements from the RAV4 but elevated them with higher-quality materials and a more luxurious feel. The cabin featured soft-touch surfaces and integrated climate controls, approaching the level of a Lexus. The Venza's interior was praised for its grace and cohesiveness, making it one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

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 FWD or AWD. The higher trims, such as the ST-Line Elite, featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively available with AWD. While the Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable on rough roads, it lacked the precision of a performance crossover. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2023 Toyota Venza was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. The AWD system was standard, with a CVT sending power to the front wheels and an electric motor powering the rear wheels. The Venza's acceleration was smooth, with the electric motors providing initial thrust before the gasoline engine seamlessly took over. The ride favoured comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling. The Venza's ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's, though not as plush as a Lexus.

The Ford Escape's interior was comfortable, with supportive seats and good ergonomics. The head-up display was easy to adjust, and the armrests were well-positioned. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering up to 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded. Passenger space was slightly limited in the rear, though headroom was impressive.

The Toyota Venza's front seats provided ample space, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats were spacious, with abundant legroom and foot room. However, cargo capacity was limited to 816 litres, significantly less than some competitors. The Venza excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and large door pockets.

The Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an optional 13.2-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications. However, 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 Toyota Venza came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The XLE trim and above featured a 12.3-inch multimedia display with sharp graphics and a logical menu structure. The Venza's audio system included a six-speaker setup, with a nine-speaker JBL premium system on higher trims.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot360 2.0 upgrade added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Toyota Venza earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with an Acceptable score in the new side-impact test. The Venza included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, featuring adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a digital rearview mirror.