2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior, characterized by its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. This midsize SUV, nearly 5 metres in length, exuded a stately presence. In Canada, the standard 20-inch wheels were upgraded to 22-inch alloy wheels in the Prestige trim. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above the dual exhaust, and the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy design. The matte Brunswick Green paint added an elegant touch, complemented by the dark green quilted leather seats inside. The interior featured a split dash with thin horizontal air vents, metal and matte wood trim, and a centre console with three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel was distinctively Genesis. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen, though slightly awkwardly placed, was a minor drawback in an otherwise spacious and luxurious interior.

The 2023 Ford Escape, in contrast, embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky aesthetic of its predecessors. The 2023 refresh introduced a traditional front end with a Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. As one of the smallest vehicles in Ford’s lineup, the Escape offered a range of trims, with the ST-Line Elite being tested. The top-trim model featured 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the ST-Line Elite showcased diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat. Despite a sea of plastic, the Escape’s interior was functional, with a well-positioned steering wheel and armrests, and a head-up display for driver convenience.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came standard with all-wheel drive and offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 was not particularly quick, taking about five and a half seconds to reach 100 km/h, it excelled in highway driving with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a smooth and quiet highway commute.

The 2023 Ford Escape differentiated itself with multiple powertrain options. The base engine was a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, delivering 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite the four-cylinder’s impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters for manual gear changes. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness common in some competitors.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with luxury features. In Canada, it came standard with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard mirrors. The tester included ventilated front and rear seats with an Ergo driver’s seat, offering fatigue-reducing inflation and deflation. The Nappa leather seats were sumptuous, and a third row was optional, though with limited legroom. The GV80 featured Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, a digital key, tri-zone climate control, and a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system. The cargo space was generous, with 988 litres behind the second row and 2,378 litres with seats folded, and a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfort with soft, supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel, though plain, was comfortable to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. The Escape’s cargo space was slightly less than some competitors, with 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with seats folded. Passenger space was adequate, with slightly less rear-seat legroom but impressive headroom. The front-seat backs were padded and scalloped to maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen for infotainment, accompanied by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial control was cumbersome, though it offered handwriting detection. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, but not wirelessly. The GV80 included wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a 110-volt outlet. The remote smart parking assist allowed the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside, a standout feature.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 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 Sync 4 was well-organized with tiles for navigation, music, and Bluetooth. The system included a static “Home” button for easy navigation. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its features and layout were impressive. A six-speaker sound system was standard, with a Bang & Olufsen system optional on higher trims.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system provided a video feed of the blind spot in the digital gauge cluster. Highway Drive Assist offered semi-autonomous driving on approved highways. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, with Superior front crash prevention.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal- and side-crash tests. 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 forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology for a semi-autonomous driving experience.