2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar, replacing the previous cartoonish grille. The ST-Line Elite trim, which was tested, boasted 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked appealing but felt hard and plasticky, though the seats were comfortable for long drives. Despite the abundance of plastic materials, the interior was expected to withstand years of use.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid maintained a similar appearance to its non-hybrid counterpart, with the RX 350h Luxury model featuring 21-inch wheels and a subtle design. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. The RX models were not considered visually stunning, with a blunt-nosed design and a wheelbase stretch that made them appear smaller. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic approach with fewer controls and a new infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury trim offered Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance featured artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine could be configured with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite its impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a more efficient powertrain with the RX 350h, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system producing 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque. It was expected to average 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, generating 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but had a lower fuel economy of 27 mpg. The RX 500h featured an adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and rear-wheel steering, providing a dynamic driving experience. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, and the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable driving experience with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The interior featured a head-up display and well-positioned armrests. However, the Escape lagged behind segment leaders in cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. Passenger space was slightly limited, with less rear-seat legroom than competitors, but headroom was impressive.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid excelled in comfort, with the RX 350h Luxury trim offering ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and effective climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery placement under the rear seat provided excellent leg support but limited headroom. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some rivals.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look and offered easy navigation between applications like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. While Sync 4 was intuitive, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring activation of connected services plans after trial subscriptions. The system included cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. While the assistant generally worked well, it occasionally provided inaccurate results. The touchscreen allowed only one menu view at a time, and reflections were an issue. The head-up display with dual-function control pads was problematic for drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, the IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring new motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist was available, automatically slowing the RX to maintain safe distances. The system had some irritations, such as the front cross-traffic alert's reliance on visual indicators and the curve-speed reduction's reactive nature. Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park were available but not tested.