2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape presented a modern crossover design that leaned towards a more European aesthetic, moving away from the rugged, boxy look of its earlier generations. The refreshed model featured a more traditional front end with a Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar, replacing the previous grille design. As the smallest vehicle in Ford's SUV lineup, the Escape offered a sleek design with 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance similar to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the ST-Line Elite trim showcased diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat provided excellent ergonomics for long drives. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner maintained its classic, albeit outdated, design that harked back to its 2010 redesign. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a brawny stance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model enhanced this rugged persona with underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a beefy tubular roof rack. Inside, the 4Runner's old-school styling was evident, with an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior featured hard plastic surfaces, but cushioned panels on commonly touched areas provided some comfort. The seat upholstery resembled vinyl more than leather, but this was typical for off-road vehicles. Despite its dated appearance, the 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and practical features like a sliding glass rear window and a hitch receiver with a 2,268-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2023 Ford Escape differentiated itself with multiple powertrain options. It offered a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 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. Higher trims like the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite featured a 2.0-litre turbo 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, making it comfortable for daily driving, it lacked the performance tuning of a genuine performance crossover. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine generating 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. However, its five-speed automatic transmission lagged behind the more advanced transmissions of competitors like the Bronco and Wrangler. The TRD Pro model featured standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it capable off-road. On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration. The engine sounded taxed, and the sportier exhaust was loud. The soft suspension resulted in body roll during cornering and a floaty ride over highway undulations. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner remained composed under hard braking and excelled in off-road conditions.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was easy to adjust. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, with 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded. It also offered slightly less rear-seat legroom compared to competitors, though headroom was impressive.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, while dated, was functional with large climate-control dials and sturdy handles for off-road stability. It provided ample space for front passengers, though the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row offered generous legroom, but headroom was limited due to the elevated bench. The 4Runner could hold 1,337 litres of cargo behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,540 litres with the seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases in the cargo area was a drawback. The sliding glass rear window and hitch receiver added practicality, and the 4Runner's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring an optional 13.2-inch touchscreen that enhanced the cabin's look. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between Android Auto and the native system. A wi-fi hotspot was available, 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 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL audio system, but road noise often obscured the sound quality. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, requiring familiarity with the owner's manual to fully utilize the 4Runner's off-road capabilities.

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

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received four stars from the NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, with five stars for side impacts. The IIHS gave it mixed results, with some Marginal and Poor ratings in newer tests. The 4Runner included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. The TRD Pro and Limited trims featured a surround-view camera system, though the alerts were sometimes oversensitive.