2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV initially appeared similar to its internal combustion engine counterpart, sharing features like rounded wheel wells and a flat beltline. However, upon closer inspection, the EV model showcased more decisive lines, a thicker body-colored C-pillar, and a sleeker grille. The front fascia was more body-colored, and the rear design was more defined, featuring hexagons and a light bar echoing the front. Standard 19-inch aluminum wheels were available on the 1LT and 2LT trims, while the higher trims boasted 21-inch versions. The Equinox EV offered vibrant color options like "Red Hot" and "Riptide Blue Metallic," which added a youthful and exuberant touch. Two-tone paint jobs were also available, with options for a white or black roof depending on the trim. Inside, the base model was limited to black, but higher trims offered additional color choices, including sporty options like Adrenaline Red.

The 2023 Ford Escape, in contrast, moved away from its earlier blocky design to adopt a more European aesthetic. The 2023 refresh replaced the previous grille with a more traditional front end, featuring the Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. The Escape offered various trim levels, with the ST-Line Elite showcasing 19-inch wheels and a sleek design. Inside, the ST-Line Elite flaunted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, while visually appealing, felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat allowed for easy customization. The interior featured a mix of plastic materials, with some areas like the center console having a nice textured appearance, though overall, the plastic felt cost-cutting.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a hands-free start, allowing drivers to simply get in and go. It offered one-pedal driving across all trims, with options to manage it through a standalone regenerative braking setting or drive modes like Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and My Mode. The single-motor, front-wheel-drive variant delivered 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the all-wheel-drive version boasted 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. The Equinox EV could tow up to 1,500 pounds and offered an impressive range of 319 miles for FWD models and 285 miles for AWD. It supported DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, regaining about 77 miles of range in 10 minutes, and Level 2 charging at 11.5 kW, adding up to 34 miles of range per hour.

The 2023 Ford Escape differentiated itself with multiple powertrain options. The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, available with FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite the four-cylinder's impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, starting from the 2LT trim, included heated front seats, a steering wheel, and outside mirrors as standard. The 3LT trim added power adjustments for the passenger seat, front-seat ventilation, and heated rear seats. The Equinox EV provided 39.15 inches of front headroom and 38.49 inches in the second row, with 41.65 inches of front legroom. Cargo space was 26.4 cubic feet with all seats in place and 57.2 cubic feet with the second row folded down. Roof rails were standard on all but the base trim.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable seating with well-positioned armrests and a head-up display. It provided up to 37.5 cubic feet of storage behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. While it fell short of some competitors in cargo space, it was adequate for daily use. The Escape offered slightly less rear-seat legroom but impressed with back seat headroom and front-seat back padding.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a driver-oriented cockpit with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 11-inch driver-information screen. Google Built-In was standard, offering Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. An eight-year OnStar Remote Access Plan subscription was included, essential for the MyChevrolet app, which provided navigation, route planning, and charging station locations.

The 2023 Ford Escape, equipped with Sync 4, offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between Android Auto and the native navigation system. While Sync 4 was slightly slow to respond, its feature set and layout were impressive.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more. It also featured rear park assist, reverse automatic braking, blind-zone steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Super Cruise was available starting with the 2LT trim.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. It 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 lane-centering technology.