2023 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Honda CR-V adopted a more refined and slightly aggressive appearance with its blunt nose, grille, and elongated wheelbase. While it lacked the distinct personality of its predecessor, its conservative styling was expected to age gracefully. The CR-V EX-L featured 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, enhancing its sophisticated look. Inside, the leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob elevated the interior's quality, complemented by a dashboard design inspired by the latest Civic. The CR-V EX-L boasted a larger touchscreen infotainment system, power-adjustable front passenger seat, and front and rear parking sensors, adding to its appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from its earlier blocky exterior. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo. The Escape, along with the Bronco Sport, was the smallest in Ford's SUV lineup. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we tested, sported 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked appealing but felt hard, though the seats were comfortable for long drives. The Escape's interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt cost-cutting, but the overall design was sleek and modern.

The 2023 Honda CR-V retained its turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. While the engine offered ample power for a compact SUV, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) detracted from the driving experience with its droning noise during acceleration. Despite this, the CR-V excelled in ride and handling, with a well-tuned suspension, steering, and brakes. It managed to deliver a smooth and engaging drive, handling various road conditions with ease. The CR-V's fuel efficiency was impressive, averaging 8.1 L/100 km on a mountainous route.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ST-Line Elite trim 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 performance was commendable, it wasn't a true performance crossover. The suspension was soft and compliant, and the transmission lacked performance tuning. However, the brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, making it a comfortable and capable vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2023 Honda CR-V was touted as the roomiest yet, though it felt more like a car than an SUV from the driver's seat. The second row offered more space, resembling a midsize model with ample thigh support and legroom. Storage options were plentiful, with a large bin under the centre armrest and various trays and bins throughout the cabin. The CR-V's cargo area provided 1,113 litres of space, expandable to 2,166 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics, with well-positioned armrests and convenient cupholders. However, it fell short in cargo space compared to segment leaders, offering 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom and padded front-seat backs, but rear-seat legroom was slightly less than competitors. Despite these limitations, the Escape was suitable for daily use.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX-L trim added a 9-inch display, wireless connectivity, and an upgraded sound system. While the technology was improved, it didn't surpass competitors, and the EX-L's price tag felt steep for the features offered.

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 easy navigation. Despite minor annoyances like slow response times, the system offered a robust feature set, including a wi-fi hotspot and optional Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The 2023 Honda CR-V improved its driver assist systems with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. New features like Traffic Jam Assist and a driver monitoring system were added. The CR-V's Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure and new airbag designs enhanced safety, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but didn't earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to a Marginal side-impact test score. The Escape's Co-Pilot360 suite included standard features like forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology, offering a semi-autonomous driving experience.