2024 Hyundai Tucson vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. The refresh introduced a traditional front end with a central Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar, replacing the previous grille. Despite its sleek design, the Escape maintained a compact stature within Ford's SUV lineup. The ST-Line Elite trim, which was tested, featured 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, 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 was easy to adjust. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, which felt cost-cutting in some areas.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, introduced in its fourth generation in 2022, carried over its striking design into 2024. Its styling was marked by taut angles and unique features like headlights integrated into the grille, creating a contemporary and handsome package. The Tucson's athletic presence was enhanced by its contrasting angles, and each trim level offered distinct features, such as the dark chrome grille on the Ultimate trim. Inside, the Tucson's cabin was modern and refined, with technology packaged in an approachable manner. The Ultimate trim, which was tested, came well-equipped with features like ventilated front seats, genuine leather upholstery, and a suite of driver assistance technologies. The Tucson's design and interior execution were praised for their sophistication and practicality.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine could be configured with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims 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 the impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Preferred came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled with highway acceleration and passing maneuvers. More powerful hybrid options were available, but they featured a button-style shifter that required some adjustment. The Tucson excelled in handling and ride quality, offering a comfortable and composed driving experience. Its steering was precise and well-weighted, making it enjoyable to drive through turns, though not as athletic as some competitors like the Mazda CX-5.

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, lagging behind competitors like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than rivals, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for rear passengers.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson excelled in cargo capacity, offering up to 2,119 litres with the rear seats folded and 1,097 litres with them in use. The hands-free power liftgate, available on higher trims, added convenience. The Tucson accommodated up to five passengers comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The cabin featured deep cup holders and a centre tray for storage, along with a standard wireless device charging pad, enhancing practicality for daily use and longer trips.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a larger 13.2-inch screen on higher trims like the ST-Line Elite. 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 Bang & Olufsen sound system was optional on higher trims. However, the system was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a fully digital instrument panel. While Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection, the interface was glove-friendly, which was useful in cold weather. The Tucson's remote start system was advanced, allowing drivers to start the vehicle remotely and drive off without pressing the start button. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the volume toggle was less user-friendly than traditional dials.

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 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 optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate trim added front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and Hyundai's Smart Park feature. The Tucson received a "Good" rating from the IIHS in most crash tests and was a Top Safety Pick+ for 2023. The NHTSA had not fully evaluated the 2024 model, but it earned five stars in a frontal crash test.