Ford Escape vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2024 Ford Escape received a significant makeover, carrying over the updates from 2023 that included a restyled front end, new wheel designs, and enhanced technology. These changes gave the Escape a more aggressive appearance, replacing the previous model's wide-eyed, toothless smile. Despite these updates, the overall design remained soft and generically appealing. The Escape was available in several trims, 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, the ST-Line Elite, featured extra-cost options like Rapid Red paint and a Panoramic Vista Roof, bringing the total price to $49,924. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched, perforated leather and tech upgrades, but the glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery left something to be desired.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was available in two trims: Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy, integrating seamlessly into the gas-only Palisade lineup. The Palisade Hybrid's design was marked by a massive grille, LED projector headlights, and distinctive LED daytime running lights. The rear view was equally impressive, with wide-spaced letters spelling the vehicle's name and LED taillights wrapping around the corners. Inside, the Palisade Hybrid offered a luxurious experience with features like H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and a range of comfort options. The interior design was thoughtfully crafted, with organic shapes and well-engineered storage solutions, providing a richer feeling of craftsmanship compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite offered two powertrain options: a 192-horsepower hybrid 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, achieving an average fuel economy of 9.8 L/100 km. The Escape's driving dynamics were more about comfort than sportiness, with a soft ride and nimble handling in typical situations. However, the suspension allowed for unwanted body motion, and the steering felt sluggish. The turbo engine provided quick acceleration, but the overall driving experience didn't match the sporty appearance. The Escape could tow up to 1,587 kilograms, but the turbo engine felt wasted in this application.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, on the other hand, delivered impressive performance with its 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery. The combined output of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque ensured the Palisade never lagged, whether in town or on the highway. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and hybrid system optimized power distribution, enhancing fuel efficiency and handling. The Palisade Hybrid offered a quiet and smooth ride, with noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass keeping the cabin peaceful. The steering was sharp and responsive, while the pedals felt a bit soft. Overall, the Palisade Hybrid provided a delightful driving experience for a family SUV.

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

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others. The second-row legroom was slightly reduced due to the battery's position, but it remained spacious. The third row offered less legroom and headroom compared to some rivals. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was comfortable, with dual-zone climate control, multiple USB-C outlets, and available captain's chairs. The interior was filled with storage cubbies, including a rubberized cargo space and a small shelf for smaller items.

The 2024 Ford Escape came with digital instrumentation, featuring an 8-inch display in lower trims and a 12.3-inch display in upper trims. 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 the climate controls were integrated into the screen. The system experienced lag, and the wireless charger overheated the phone. 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 Palisade Hybrid was equipped with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It supported HD and Sirius XM radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between rows. Most trims featured a 14-speaker Bose stereo, and a built-in dashcam was available on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The Palisade Hybrid introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the climate control and infotainment system to run while the engine was off, provided the battery had sufficient charge.

The 2024 Ford Escape featured a standard 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. The lane-keeping systems were inconsistent, and the predictive speed assist slowed the SUV excessively. The adaptive cruise control performed well on highways. The Escape received favourable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, with five-star ratings except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert. The Palisade's ADAS tech performed flawlessly during testing. At the time of writing, crash-test ratings were not available for the 2026 model, but the 2025 Palisade received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.