2024 Ford Escape vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past design ethos, which was often likened to utilitarian appliances. The XC90 presented a purposeful yet understated aesthetic, with a stout front end and a bold grille that avoided being ostentatious. Its signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch absent in earlier models. The vehicle's rectilinear dimensions were complemented by 21-inch wheels, adding a hint of drama to its otherwise stoic appearance. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, metal speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design, featuring wood deco inlays, provided a clean and sophisticated look, though it came at the cost of limited physical controls.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Escape underwent a restyling in 2023, which carried over into the 2024 model, giving it a more aggressive front-end appearance. The SUV retained a soft and generically appealing overall look. The ST-Line Elite trim, with its Rapid Red paint and black 19-inch wheels, added a sporty flair. However, the interior, despite its upscale initial impression, was marred by excessively glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery. The Escape's design updates made it more visually appealing, but the interior materials and attention to detail left room for improvement.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine, a mild-hybrid powertrain that replaced the older T5 and T6 engines. This new setup offered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than its predecessor but with improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. The mild-hybrid system, which included a 13-volt starter generator, enhanced the driving experience by making the auto stop-start technology nearly imperceptible. The XC90 delivered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration and a well-insulated cabin that minimized road and wind noise. While it lacked extensive off-road capabilities, the XC90's simplicity in driving dynamics appealed to those who preferred straightforward operation.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered a choice between a 192-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Our test vehicle featured the turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Escape's driving dynamics, however, did not match its sporty appearance. The ride was soft and compliant, with excessive body motion, and the steering felt sluggish. While the turbo engine provided quick acceleration, the overall driving experience lacked the expected sportiness. The Escape's fuel economy fell short of official ratings, averaging 9.8 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior offered a peaceful and pleasant experience, but its Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. The lack of dedicated cubby space for smaller items, such as cell phones, was a notable drawback. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but accessing the third row was challenging, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating configuration. Cargo space was competitive, with 356 litres behind the third row and up to 1,856 litres with all rear seats folded, though it fell short compared to some competitors.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line featured a black interior with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters, accented by red stitching. While leather seats were available, they were not recommended due to their uncomfortable feel. The Escape's front seats were large and supportive, and the rear seats offered comfort when slid to their rearmost position. Interior storage was generous in the front, but rear passengers had fewer accommodations. Cargo volume measured 1,061 litres behind the back seat, expanding to 1,852 litres with the rear seat folded. The test vehicle included deep storage areas and a grocery bag hook in the cargo area.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running on Google OS, the first of its kind as standard in a vehicle. The system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant, offering excellent natural-language recognition. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for many functions led to some frustration, as more physical buttons and redundant controls would have been appreciated. Keyless entry was standard, and a head-up display was optional.

The 2024 Ford Escape came with digital instrumentation, with upper trims featuring a 12.3-inch display. The standout feature was the 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system, presented in a landscape format. While the layout was intuitive, the colour theme and thin fonts made it difficult to read at a glance. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the wireless smartphone charger caused overheating issues. The test vehicle also had an optional head-up display, part of the Premium Technology Package, which included Active Park Assist 2.0.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued the brand's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. These technologies supported Volvo's Pilot Assist, which helped maintain distance and speed in traffic.

The 2024 Ford Escape featured the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The ST-Line Elite added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a 360-degree camera system. While the Co-Pilot360 technology performed well on highways, it displayed inconsistent behaviour during testing. The Escape received favourable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, with five-star ratings across most categories.