2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape presented a departure from its earlier, more rugged design, embracing a European-inspired aesthetic. The refresh introduced a more traditional front end, replacing the previous grille with a sleek LED light bar and the iconic Ford blue oval logo. Despite its modern look, the Escape maintained a compact size, positioning it as one of the smallest vehicles in Ford's SUV lineup. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we tested, featured 19-inch wheels and body-colour accents, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat allowed for easy customization. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant transformation, shedding its previous image for a more dynamic and stylish design. The new Trax was longer, lower, and wider, drawing inspiration from the midsize Chevy Blazer. Its bold grille and distinctive body lines gave it a commanding presence. The Trax offered various trim levels, including the Activ and RS, each with unique styling elements. Inside, the Trax featured a modern design with a freestanding touchscreen and large air vents. Higher trims offered Evotex upholstery and contrasting stitching, adding a touch of flair. The Trax's interior was practical, with a focus on functionality, though some materials, like piano-black plastic, were prone to smudging.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a choice of two engines, starting with 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 drive or all-wheel drive, providing versatility for different driving conditions. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged 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, it lacked the precision of a performance crossover. The brakes were predictable, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a single engine option, a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Despite the decrease in power compared to its predecessor, the Trax felt responsive, with minimal turbo lag and strong acceleration. The six-speed automatic transmission carried over, and the Trax was available only with front-wheel drive. The Trax's handling was tuned to be more car-like, with a wider track providing a planted feel. While it wasn't a hot hatch, the Trax offered nimble handling and exceeded expectations in terms of refinement, thanks to active noise cancellation.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel felt good to hold, 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 adequate, though rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors. The back seat's headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for taller passengers.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, while larger overall, didn't translate to significantly increased interior space. It offered 7.6 cm more rear-seat legroom, but first-row headroom remained unchanged, and second-row headroom decreased by 1.7 cm. The Trax's passenger space was comparable to rivals like the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue, with the Trax offering the most rear legroom. The driving position was car-like, with low window sills providing excellent visibility. Cargo space increased by about 12%, with 725 litres behind the rear seats and 1,532 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a larger 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between features like Android Auto and the native navigation system. A wi-fi hotspot was available, and the audio system included a standard six-speaker setup, with an optional Bang & Olufsen system on higher trims. While Sync 4 was intuitive, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient for passengers.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant infotainment upgrades, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and an 11-inch touchscreen with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were available for the first time. The Trax's infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and a logical menu layout. However, the screen's tilt towards the driver made it less accessible for passengers. The digital instrument cluster was easy to read, and information could be transferred from the main screen. USB ports were plentiful, with options for both front and rear passengers.

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 grant it a Top Safety Pick designation 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. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax's crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication. However, it offered a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Trax also featured Chevy's Teen Driver system, which monitored driving behaviour and provided a report card to parents.