2023 Ford Escape vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX presented a commanding presence with its large spindle grille and 206 millimetres of ground clearance, standing tall at 1,885 millimetres. Its front end appeared ready to conquer the road, with massive headlights framing its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colours, including the new Eminent White Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design seemed engineered for off-road adventures, with a short 2,789 mm wheelbase and minimal overhangs. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and practicality, with some plastic materials betraying its high price tag. Yet, it offered heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from the rugged, boxy aesthetic of its predecessors. A 2023 refresh introduced a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo. The Escape, one of Ford's smallest vehicles, offered a range of trim levels, with the ST-Line Elite showcasing 19-inch wheels and a sleek design. Inside, the Escape featured diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, but the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the naturally aspirated 4.6-litre V8 provided a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. The GX boasted a 2,948-kilogram towing capacity, but its fuel economy was less impressive, with estimates of 16.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 14.5 combined. Despite its weight, the GX offered predictable handling, with strong brakes and a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential for its 4WD system.

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 Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, exclusively with AWD. While not a performance crossover, the Escape provided a comfortable ride with a soft suspension and well-weighted steering. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the Escape handled New England's pothole-riddled streets with ease.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep centre console bin and convenient cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, featuring only USB-A ports. The GX retained physical controls, which were a blessing for those who preferred hard buttons over touchscreens. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs and good legroom, but the third row was too tight for regular use. The GX's cargo space was limited, with only 328 litres behind the rear seats and 1,832 litres with both rows folded.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel felt great to hold, and the front-seat cupholders were conveniently arranged. The Escape's cargo space was competitive, with up to 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the second row folded. However, it fell short of segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom and scalloped front-seat backs to maximize rear-seat space.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over the previous system. It included standard features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. However, the system felt dated compared to other Lexus models, with lagging graphics. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, and a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. Optional features included a multi-terrain monitor and crawl control.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an 8-inch or optional 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The larger screen upgraded the cabin's look, and Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between Android Auto and the native system. A wi-fi hotspot was available with a subscription, and a static "Home" button facilitated navigation. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its feature set and layout were impressive. A Bang & Olufsen sound system was optional on higher trims.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included the Lexus Safety System+ with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Despite its older design, the GX offered modern safety technology, including blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

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 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, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera for a semi-autonomous driving experience.