GMC Yukon vs Ford Escape

The 2022 GMC Yukon was a striking presence on the road, especially for those with a penchant for chrome. Even the base SLE model boasted enough shiny elements to exude a premium aura, but it was the Denali trim that truly embraced the chrome aesthetic. The Denali's front was almost entirely chrome, with a massive, multi-dimensional grille that resembled an industrial cheese grater, flanked by GMC's signature C-shaped headlights. The 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, part of the optional Ultimate package, stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint, adding to the vehicle's commanding presence. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious and tastefully crafted cabin, with standard seating for eight and the option for second-row captain's chairs, reducing capacity to seven. The Denali trim featured four exclusive interior designs, with our test vehicle showcasing the Teak/Light Shale colour combo, which added layers and textures for a premium look.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. The 2023 refresh introduced a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo. The Escape, along with the Bronco Sport, was the smallest vehicle in Ford's lineup, yet it managed to look more upscale than many competitors, akin to a Mazda CX-5. Our ST-Line Elite test vehicle featured 19-inch wheels and body-colour mirror caps, enhancing its sleek design. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked appealing but felt hard and plasticky. Despite this, the seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat allowed for easy customization. The interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt scratchy, but the centre console's textured appearance was a nice touch.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines, including a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, standard on all trims except the Denali. The Denali and AT4 trims featured a 6.2-litre V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. A 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, known as the "Baby Duramax," was also available, delivering 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon had a maximum towing capacity of 3,810 kilograms with the 5.3-litre engine and the Max Trailering Package. The independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, while the optional air ride adaptive suspension provided a smoother ride and increased ground clearance for off-roading.

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. The Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, providing a comfortable ride on rough roads, while the brakes offered predictable stopping power. The steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors.

The 2022 GMC Yukon provided ample space for passengers and cargo, with a redesign that increased third-row legroom to 886 mm and cargo space to 722 litres. The wheelbase stretch and independent rear suspension contributed to the increased space. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available for easier access to the third row. The power-sliding centre console revealed additional storage space, and power-retractable assist steps made entry and exit easier.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics, with well-positioned armrests and convenient cupholders. However, it fell short in cargo space compared to segment leaders, with 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the second row folded. Passenger space was slightly less than competitors, but the back seat's headroom and front-seat backs' design helped maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2022 GMC Yukon featured a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information centre and a 15-inch head-up display, providing access to phone, audio, and navigation functions. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose 14-speaker audio system. The Denali Ultimate Package added a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreens.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 system, featuring an 8-inch or 13.2-inch touchscreen. The larger screen upgraded the cabin's look and offered easy navigation between applications. A wi-fi hotspot was available, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was optional on higher trims. Sync 4 was intuitive, though slightly slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Pro Safety Plus package added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance.

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 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-centring technology.