Ford Escape vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a familiar sight, echoing the design traditions of its predecessors while introducing a new two-row version. This SUV was a shorter, sportier sibling to the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, offering a similar powertrain and trim-level lineup. Available in trims like Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee catered to a wide range of preferences, from simplicity and affordability to off-roading prowess and luxury. Its design paid homage to the classic 1963 Wagoneer, with a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with options ranging from basic cloth seats to luxurious quilted leather in the Summit Reserve trim.

The 2023 Ford Escape, meanwhile, embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. A refreshed front end featured a traditional grille with the Ford logo and a stylish LED light bar. As one of Ford's smaller SUVs, the Escape offered a range of trims, including Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we tested, boasted 19-inch wheels and a sleek design. Inside, the Escape featured diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. Despite this, the seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat made long drives enjoyable. The Escape's interior was dominated by plastic, with some areas feeling scratchy and poorly reinforced.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice between a V6 and a V8 engine, both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,812 kilograms. The 5.7-litre V8 engine, available in higher trims, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 3,265 kilograms. Three 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Trailhawk trim, equipped with Quadra-Drive II, excelled in off-road conditions, featuring an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Terrain driving modes. Fuel consumption estimates ranged from 11.3 to 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres, depending on the engine and drivetrain.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered two engine options: a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the three-cylinder available in FWD or AWD and the four-cylinder exclusively in AWD. While the Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, it lacked the performance tuning of a genuine performance crossover. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a comfortable interior, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. Higher trims added features like ventilated front seats and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, especially for off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel. Rear-seat legroom was tight, and the two-row Grand Cherokee offered 1,067 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 2,004 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics, with well-positioned armrests and convenient cupholders. The head-up display was easy to adjust, but the Escape fell short in cargo space compared to some competitors, offering 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some rivals, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were padded to maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, featuring a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and multiple touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen standard and a 10.1-inch screen available in higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Amazon Alexa integration and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The optional front passenger interactive display provided entertainment options for the passenger.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard and a 13.2-inch screen available in higher trims. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications and a static "Home" button for quick access. A wi-fi hotspot was available with a subscription, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was optional on higher trims. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its feature set and layout were impressive.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, including blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and full-speed forward collision warning. The Active Driving Assist system provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected in 2022.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal- and side-crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. The IIHS did not grant it a Top Safety Pick designation due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of driver assist features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology for a semi-autonomous driving experience.