Ford Escape vs Hyundai IONIQ 9

Ford's 2024 Escape received a significant facelift, carrying over the updates from the previous year. The SUV's front end was restyled to present a more aggressive appearance, replacing the previous model's wide-eyed, toothless smile. Despite these changes, the rest of the vehicle maintained its soft and generically appealing look. The 2024 Escape was available in several trims in Canada, including Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, ST-Line Elite, and Plug-in Hybrid, with prices ranging from $33,049 to $46,999, excluding additional fees. Our test vehicle, an ST-Line Elite, featured premium options like Rapid Red paint and a Panoramic Vista Roof, bringing its price to $49,924. Inside, the Escape's upscale appearance was marred by excessively glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery, raising questions about its value.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 showcased a distinctive design that polarized opinions. Inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, the Ioniq 9 aimed for an aerodynamic shape to accommodate seven passengers comfortably. Measuring 5,060 millimetres in length with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, it offered impressive interior volume. Despite its size, the Ioniq 9 achieved a 0.27 drag coefficient, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. The design, however, was not universally praised, with its swooping roofline and stubby rear end drawing mixed reactions. The rear view, with LED taillights wrapping around the tail's circumference, was particularly recognizable. The Ioniq 9 was available in various trims and paint colours, with our test vehicle featuring a matte finish and 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Ioniq 9 boasted a spacious and airy interior, with flat floors and a sliding centre console, although some plastic elements felt underwhelming.

The 2024 Ford Escape offered two powertrain options for the ST-Line Elite trim: a 192-horsepower hybrid and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, delivered quick acceleration but lacked the sporty driving dynamics suggested by the ST badge. The ride was soft and compliant, with nimble handling in typical driving situations, but the suspension allowed too much body motion. The brake pedal was responsive, but the steering felt sluggish. The turbo engine's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 9.8 L/100 km during testing. The Escape's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim had a single rear-mounted 160-kW motor producing 215 horsepower, while other trims had dual-motor AWD systems with varying power outputs. The Preferred AWD made 303 hp, and the Preferred AWD+ generated 422 hp. Despite its weight, the Ioniq 9 offered impressive energy efficiency, often exceeding its estimated 500-kilometre range. The ride was smooth and quiet, thanks to a softly sprung chassis and sound-absorbing features. The Ioniq 9's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms for RWD and 2,268 kilograms for AWD models. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with fast charging times.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line featured a black interior with cloth inserts and artificial leather bolsters, accented by red stitching. Leather seats were optional but not recommended due to their uncomfortable feel. The test model included ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats and steering wheel. The Escape's front seats were large and supportive, while the back seat was comfortable when slid to its rearmost position. Interior storage was generous in the front, but rear passengers had less accommodation. Cargo volume was 1,061 litres behind the back seat, expanding to 1,852 litres with the rear seat folded.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, seating seven with a middle-row bench or six with captain's chairs in the Ultimate Calligraphy Package. The sliding centre console improved access for middle-row passengers. The Ioniq 9 offered 1,086 millimetres of legroom in the middle row and 813 mm in the third row. The rear doors provided easy access, and dual-zone climate control with air vents in all rows was standard. Heated front seats were standard, with additional heating options available in higher trims. The driver's seat had limited adjustability, and the glove compartment was awkwardly positioned. Cargo space was 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded.

The 2024 Ford Escape featured digital instrumentation, with upper trims having a 12.3-inch display. The ST-Line Elite test vehicle had a 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system with a landscape format, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the display's colour theme appeared washed out, and climate controls were integrated into the screen. The system experienced lag, and the wireless charger overheated devices. The test vehicle also had a head-up display and Active Park Assist 2.0, which worked well but was impractical in busy areas.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had dual curved 12.3-inch displays, similar to other Hyundai models. The screens were visually appealing but prone to fingerprints and glare. Standard features included SiriusXM, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad, although the latter struggled to keep up with device demands. The Ioniq 9 had six USB-C ports for charging. The test car's 14-speaker Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality, rivaling higher-end systems.

The 2024 Ford Escape came with Ford Co-Pilot360, offering features like 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. The lane-keeping systems were inconsistent, and the predictive speed assist caused issues. The Escape received favourable crash-test ratings from NHTSA, with five-star ratings except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It included advanced driver assistance systems like collision avoidance, lane-guidance, driver attention warning, and Highway Driving Assist 2. The latter combined lane-keeping assist with adaptive cruise control for supervised hands-free driving. The Luxury package and Preferred AWD+ trims added a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.