Ford Escape vs Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid was a bold departure from its predecessors, showcasing a dramatic new design that was both longer and wider. Its sharp, angular cues and unique grille design, shared with the Santa Cruz, set it apart from other vehicles on the road. The Tucson's exterior was a gamble, with its hard creases and futuristic lighting elements, which some found appealing while others questioned its longevity. Inside, the Tucson offered a spacious and airy cabin, with standard heated front seats and a range of features that increased with higher trims, such as a 10.25-inch digital driver display and ambient lighting. Despite its bulkier centre console, the interior felt open, and the hoodless driver information display added a modern touch, though it was prone to dust accumulation.

The 2023 Ford Escape, meanwhile, embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky aesthetics of its earlier generations. The refreshed model featured a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford logo prominently displayed. The Escape's design was sleek and upscale, with body-colour mirror caps and wheel-arch cladding on the ST-Line Elite trim. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat made long drives pleasant. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This setup made the hybrid noticeably quicker than its gas-powered counterpart. The Tucson's steering was responsive, and its six-speed automatic transmission performed admirably. The suspension was a standout feature, providing a smooth ride over various road conditions while maintaining balance through corners. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the hybrid achieving 6.4 L/100 km combined, a significant improvement over the gas model. The plug-in hybrid variant offered even greater efficiency with a 2.9 Le/100 km rating and 53 km of all-electric range.

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, and a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The latter was available exclusively with AWD and provided better acceleration and passing power. Despite its impressive output, the Escape's suspension remained soft, prioritizing comfort over performance. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors. However, the lack of paddle shifters and performance tuning limited its sporty appeal.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offered impressive cargo space, with 1,097 litres in the trunk and 2,108 litres with the rear seats folded. This was more than competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. The Tucson also provided excellent front and rear legroom, with reclining rear seats for added comfort. The dual-level cargo floor allowed for flexible storage options, and the cabin featured ample cupholders and bottle holders. Ambient lighting in the Ultimate trim added a touch of flair to the interior.

The 2023 Ford Escape, while comfortable with supportive seats and good ergonomics, fell short in cargo space compared to some segment leaders. It offered 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded, similar to the Chevrolet Equinox and Mazda CX-5 but less than the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. Passenger space was adequate, with slightly less rear-seat legroom than some competitors, but the back seat's headroom and scalloped front-seat backs helped maximize space for taller passengers.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen in higher trims, though it required a wired connection for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The interface relied on touch-capacitive buttons, which could be frustrating to use, but steering-wheel controls offered an alternative. The Tucson provided plenty of USB ports and a premium Bose audio system in the Ultimate trim.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 system, available with a 13.2-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, with easy navigation between Android Auto and the native navigation system. A wi-fi hotspot was available with a subscription, and a static "Home" button facilitated quick access to the main menu. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its overall feature set and layout were commendable. A Bang & Olufsen sound system was optional on higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate trim added advanced features like a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. The Tucson received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2023 Ford Escape earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot360 2.0 package added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.