2024 Lexus TX vs 2023 Ford Escape

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 design featuring the Ford blue oval 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 with its 19-inch wheels and sleek body-colour accents. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked appealing but felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The interior, while comfortable for long drives, was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus TX was based on the Toyota Grand Highlander but distinguished itself as a luxury SUV with its upscale appearance. The TX's styling was more conservative compared to other Lexus models, appealing to those who preferred a toned-down design. Our test model, the TX 350, featured 22-inch wheels that enhanced its presence. Inside, the TX 350 offered a luxurious feel with premium semi-aniline leather upholstery and a dark Peppercorn interior. While the cabin felt a bit dark, the overall interior quality was fitting for a Lexus. The TX provided a comfortable ride with a firm yet compliant suspension, and its interior was quiet on the highway. However, the brake pedal felt too soft, though it was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

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, providing competitive performance within its segment. Higher trims like 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 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 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Despite its grating engine note, the TX 350 felt quicker than its claimed 0-100 km/h time of eight seconds, thanks to its torque delivery. The official fuel economy rating was 10.3 L/100 km in combined driving, but during testing, it averaged 13.8 L/100 km. The TX 350's suspension provided a comfortable ride with commendable body motion control, and the steering was accurate and responsive. However, the brake pedal felt too soft, though it was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics, including well-positioned armrests and convenient cupholders. However, it fell short in cargo space compared to segment leaders, with 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the second row folded. Passenger space was also slightly less than competitors, though the back seat provided good headroom and soft padding on the front-seat backs.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs by offering a habitable third-row seat suitable for adults. The TX 350 featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard in Canada. The second-row seat, while comfortable, lacked a massage function. The third-row seat provided adequate leg support and a good view, with 572 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seats expanded cargo space to 1,625 litres, and with the second-row seats down, the TX offered an impressive 2,746 litres of cargo space.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring an optional 13.2-inch touchscreen display that enhanced the cabin's look. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications like Android Auto and the native navigation system. However, the system 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 2024 Lexus TX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display with the Lexus Interface infotainment system. While the head-up display had issues with polarized sunglasses, the system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. The TX also provided free 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system was available with the Executive package.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal- and side-crash tests. However, it received a Marginal score in the IIHS's updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver assist features, including 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 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Proactive Drive Assist was also part of the system, though it was not entirely transparent in its operation. The TX featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. The Executive packages added front and rear parking sensors, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.