2023 Ford Escape vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. This shift was evident in the 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 sleek appearance, the Escape maintained a compact stature within Ford's SUV lineup, offering a range of trim levels from Active to ST-Line Elite. The ST-Line Elite model, in particular, boasted 19-inch wheels and body-colour accents, giving it an upscale look akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though visually appealing, felt somewhat hard and plasticky. However, the seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat provided excellent long-distance driving comfort. The interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting, but the overall design was functional and durable.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received styling updates that aligned it with its three-row sibling, the Atlas. The most notable changes included new lighting elements, with illuminated VW logos on the grille and tailgate, and a light bar connecting the daytime running lights. The Cross Sport's rear design, with its lower roofline, gave it a silhouette reminiscent of German luxury crossover coupes. The vehicle was shorter and lower than the standard Atlas, and all trim levels featured new wheel designs. Inside, the Cross Sport shared interior revisions with the Atlas, including a raised centre console and a new electronic shifter. The cabin featured standard leatherette upholstery, with higher trims offering quilted leather. While VW attempted to enhance the interior with simulated wood and carbon-fibre-facsimile trim, the materials remained predominantly plastic.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a choice of two powertrains, setting it apart from its competitors. The base engine was a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine was available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The higher trim levels, including the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite, 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, 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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 3.6-litre VR6 engine, offering slightly less horsepower but more torque. The new engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive in Canada. While the engine provided adequate power, its noise-to-power ratio was a concern, and the Cross Sport's driving experience was less engaging. The ride quality was also compromised, possibly due to the test car's 21-inch wheels. The Cross Sport's towing capacity remained at 2,268 kilograms, which was standard for a midsize crossover.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel, though plain in appearance, felt good to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. The Escape's cargo space was slightly below segment leaders, with 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded. While it was sufficient for daily use, it might feel cramped during larger moves. Rear-seat legroom was also slightly less than some competitors, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for taller passengers.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport added more standard equipment for 2024, including heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and a power liftgate. The front seats were ventilated and heated, and the Highline trim featured heated second-row seats and leather upholstery. While front headroom was competitive, the Cross Sport's roofline reduced rear-seat headroom, creating a more cramped feeling. Legroom was more competitive, and the cargo space was generous, with 1,141 litres behind the rear seats and 2,197 litres with them folded. The cabin was functional, with ample storage space in the centre console and door pockets.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look and offered intuitive navigation with individual tiles for various functions. While Sync 4 was generally user-friendly, it 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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The user experience was similar to the three-row Atlas, with intuitive layouts and well-designed graphics. However, the haptic touchpads for controls were less user-friendly than traditional buttons. The Execline trim featured a head-up display and a Harman Kardon premium audio system, while six USB-C ports were standard.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, the IIHS did not award 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 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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in side-impact crash testing. The IIHS had not released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received Good scores in most tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system.