2022 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent a subtle evolution rather than a radical redesign. Its front and side profiles closely resembled the previous generation, with a broad, rounded face and large, unadorned sheet metal. A vertical accent strip under the mirrors distinguished the new model from its predecessor. The rear view saw the most significant change, with thin LED strips replacing the old square taillights, integrated into a darker trim element. The interior was simplified, featuring a larger tablet-like touchscreen and fewer buttons, while maintaining a familiar design. Premium leather and rich wood trim elements adorned the cabin, exuding luxury and quality. The Range Rover's solid feel and absence of creaks, even on rough roads, impressed, offering a refined interior that rivaled more expensive alternatives like Maybach or Bentley.

The 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. A 2023 refresh introduced a traditional front end with a Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. The Escape offered various trim levels, with the ST-Line Elite showcasing 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps. Inside, the ST-Line Elite featured diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat. Despite a sea of plastic, the Escape's interior was functional, with a well-textured center console. The Escape's design leaned towards an upscale appearance, akin to a Mazda CX-5, while maintaining practicality for daily use.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered two powertrains: the base P400 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and the P530 with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine delivering 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The P400 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, impressive for its nearly 6,000-pound weight. The Range Rover's handling was surprisingly agile, with well-managed body roll and standard rear-wheel-steering for sharp turns. Its off-road capability was enhanced by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, while maintaining a smooth and quiet ride.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, available exclusively with all-wheel drive. The Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, providing a comfortable ride on rough roads. The brakes offered predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding twitchy inputs common in the segment. While not a performance crossover, the Escape delivered a balanced driving experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover boasted spaciousness in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. Front seats were cushioned for long-distance comfort, with available massage functions. Storage options included two glove boxes, a wireless charging pad, and a large center console bin. The second row offered ample space for taller passengers, with power recline and sliding adjustments. The optional third row provided limited headroom for adults but was suitable for smaller passengers. Cargo space was 17.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 93 cubic feet with the second row down. A split tailgate and adjustable air suspension facilitated loading.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests aligned with the center console's armrest, and the front-seat cupholders were conveniently arranged. The Escape's cargo space was 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded, falling short of segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Passenger space was slightly less than competitors, but the back seat offered good headroom, and the front-seat backs were padded and scalloped for tall passengers.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover featured a new 13-inch touchscreen with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, complemented by a wireless charging pad. The Meridian audio system delivered impressive sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade. Additional tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 system, available with an 8-inch or 13.2-inch touchscreen. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look and offered intuitive navigation with individual tiles for various functions. Sync 4 was easy to use, though slightly slow to respond. The system included a static "Home" button for easy access to different applications. Despite minor annoyances, the Escape's tech features were well-organized and user-friendly.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover lacked crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS, but it came standard with advanced safety features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. These features performed well, with the surround-view cameras proving useful off-road.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five stars in frontal- and side-crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. 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, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and lane-centering technology.