2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier blocky 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 rugged appeal, especially in the ST-Line Elite trim, which featured 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked upscale, though it felt somewhat plasticky. The seats were comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat enhancing long-distance driving comfort. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 exuded luxury, rivaling premium brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Its design borrowed elegance from smaller Mazda models, like the CX-30 and CX-5, but on a grander scale. The CX-90's imposing presence was accentuated by a large grille, wide-set front end, and tasteful chrome trim. Inside, top-tier models boasted brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. The CX-90's interior design was both stylish and functional, with a range of trims offering different seating configurations. Despite its size, the CX-90 managed to feel agile and comfortable, with a focus on high-quality materials and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a variety of powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft 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 delivering 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, exclusively 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 were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness common in some competitors.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system. The base turbo I6 produced 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, while the upgraded version in the GT-P and Signature trims delivered 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. All CX-90 models featured AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 offered three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, with noticeable differences in performance. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-litre engine with a 17.8-kWh battery, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an all-electric range of 42 km. The CX-90 excelled in handling, feeling agile and composed through corners, thanks to its double-wishbone front suspension and transverse engine layout.

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 second row folded. It also offered slightly less rear-seat legroom compared to competitors, though headroom was impressive.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, with the lowest trims seating eight passengers and higher trims featuring captain's chairs. The Turbo Signature trim had an exclusive six-seat configuration. Cargo space varied depending on the seating arrangement, with up to 2,129 litres available. While the CX-90 improved on the CX-9's capacity, it still lagged behind some competitors. The interior featured clever storage options, comfortable seats, and high-quality materials, creating a luxurious and practical environment.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 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. While Sync 4 was generally user-friendly, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 employed the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to reduce distractions, the system's quirks made it more distracting. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition, adjusting settings to individual profiles. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, with wireless functionality in higher trims, and both systems allowed touchscreen controls.

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 forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 featured the i-Activsense suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The CX-90 Signature trim added cruising and traffic support, blending lane-centring with adaptive cruise control. While the CX-90 had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, it was expected to perform well, given the CX-9's strong safety ratings.