As the crossover market continues to heat up, two giants stand tall: the 2023 Ford Escape and the Chevy Equinox. Both are impressive vehicles, boasting a blend of style, performance, and innovation, but how do they stack up head-to-head?
This in-depth comparison will delve into the particulars of each vehicle, dissecting their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which of these industry-leading compact SUVs is the right fit for you.
Exterior Design
For 2023, the Ford Escape sports a stylish and modern design. It’s a departure from the boxy looks of yesteryears, with smoother lines and a streamlined silhouette. The front fascia is assertive, highlighted by a large grille and sleek LED headlights. The body lines flow seamlessly from the front to the back, culminating in a neatly designed rear with attractive taillights. It’s a design that speaks to the urban explorer, offering a sense of adventure without compromising on sophistication.
The Chevy Equinox, meanwhile, also steps up its game in terms of exterior design. Its look is a bit more traditional, with a strong and somewhat boxy stance. The front end is bold, with a prominent grille flanked by eye-catching LED headlights. The body has a more muscular appearance, with strong character lines that add a sense of ruggedness. The rear end completes the package with an elegant liftgate and well-integrated taillights. It’s a design that’s equally at home in the city or country setting.
Interior Design
Inside, the Ford Escape offers a clean, minimalist design. The dashboard layout is straightforward, and the controls are intuitively placed. High-quality materials are used throughout, providing a sense of luxury. The infotainment system stands out, with a large touchscreen that is responsive and easy to use. The overall interior design exudes a modern and functional vibe.
The Chevy Equinox also impresses with its interior design. It’s a bit more traditional compared to the Escape, but it’s equally well-thought-out. The dashboard is logically arranged, and the controls are within easy reach. The materials used are of high quality, and the attention to detail is evident. The infotainment system is equally impressive, with a large, clear touchscreen that offers an array of connectivity options. It feels cozy and comfortable, perfect for long drives.
Seating
The Ford Escape can comfortably seat five people. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with plenty of legroom and headroom in both the front and back rows. The driver’s seat offers excellent visibility, and the adjustable seating positions ensure a comfortable ride for all occupants.
The Equinox also seats five people comfortably. The seats are plush and provide excellent support on long journeys. There’s ample legroom and headroom in both the front and rear rows. The driver’s seat is well-positioned, offering a commanding view of the road ahead.
Storage
The Ford Escape shines when it comes to storage. It offers 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and a generous 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. There are also numerous small storage spaces throughout the cabin for added convenience.
The Equinox is slightly behind the Escape in terms of cargo space, providing 29.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. However, it also offers multiple small storage compartments throughout the cabin for easy organization.
Performance
The Ford Escape comes with a base 1.5L EcoBoost engine that delivers 181 horsepower, providing a peppy and responsive driving experience. There’s also a 2.0L option with 250 horsepower for those who crave more power. For the eco-conscious driver, the Escape offers a hybrid variant as well. The handling is smooth and precise, making the Escape a pleasure to drive in various conditions.
The Chevy Equinox starts with a 1.5L Turbo engine pushing out 170 horsepower. While it might lag slightly behind the Escape in terms of raw power, it makes up for it in ride comfort and stability. An available 2.0L Turbo engine bumps the power up to 252 horsepower. The Equinox drives smoothly and handles well, offering a balanced ride that handles both city streets and highway driving with ease.
Fuel Efficiency
With the base 1.5L engine, the Ford Escape delivers an impressive EPA estimated fuel efficiency of 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The 2.0L variant sees a slight decrease in efficiency, but the hybrid model shines with an EPA estimated 44 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
The base model of the Equinox gets an EPA estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The more powerful 2.0L engine sees a slight dip in these figures. Unfortunately, as of the 2023 model year, the Equinox does not offer a hybrid variant.
Safety
The Ford Escape comes with Ford Co-Pilot360, an advanced suite of safety features that include Automatic Emergency Braking, a Lane-Keeping System, and a Rear View Camera. Optional safety features include Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Park Assist. It’s a comprehensive package that offers peace of mind on the road.
The Chevy Equinox matches its competitor with Chevy Safety Assist, a suite of six advanced safety technologies that include Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Forward Collision Alert. Higher trims also offer features like Adaptive Cruise Control and a HD Surround Vision camera system.
Trim Levels
The Ford Escape is offered in several trims: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. Each trim level offers a step up in terms of features and comforts. The base S trim is well-equipped, but the high-end Titanium trim comes with luxury features like a Bang & Olufsen sound system, leather seats, and a head-up display.
The Chevy Equinox comes in four trims: L, LS, LT, and Premier. The base L trim offers a decent list of standard features, but the Premier trim adds luxury touches like leather upholstery, a hands-free liftgate, and a Bose premium audio system.
Pricing
The base S trim of the Ford Escape starts at around $25,000, making it an affordable option in the compact SUV segment. The high-end Titanium trim, fully loaded, can go upwards of $36,000.
The base L trim of the Chevy Equinox starts slightly lower, at around $24,000. However, a fully-loaded Premier trim can edge towards $40,000.
Key Differences
Exterior and Interior Design
In terms of design, both inside and out, the two SUVs showcase different philosophies. The Ford Escape boasts a more modern, streamlined design, with smooth lines and a stylish front fascia. Its interior follows suit with a minimalist, functional aesthetic.
On the other hand, the Chevy Equinox embodies a more traditional, muscular stance with strong character lines. Its interior also leans towards a more classic layout, offering a comfortable and cozy atmosphere.
Storage
When it comes to storage, the Ford Escape takes a slight edge. It offers more cargo space both with the rear seats up (37.5 cubic feet) and folded down (65.4 cubic feet) compared to the Equinox’s 29.9 cubic feet and 63.9 cubic feet respectively.
Performance
Performance-wise, the base Ford Escape’s 1.5L EcoBoost engine offers slightly more horsepower than the Chevy Equinox’s 1.5L Turbo engine. Additionally, the Escape offers a hybrid variant for fuel-conscious buyers, something the Equinox does not provide as of the 2023 model year.
Fuel Efficiency
While both vehicles offer similar fuel efficiency, the Ford Escape hybrid model takes a distinct lead. Offering an impressive EPA estimated 44 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, it significantly outperforms the Equinox’s standard models.
Safety Features
Both SUVs come equipped with comprehensive safety suites – Ford Co-Pilot360 for the Escape and Chevy Safety Assist for the Equinox. However, optional features vary, with the Escape offering Active Park Assist and the Equinox boasting a HD Surround Vision camera system on higher trims.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The Ford Escape starts at a slightly higher price point but offers a hybrid option and more cargo space. On the other hand, the Chevy Equinox starts at a lower base price but can edge towards a higher price when fully loaded. Trim levels and included features vary between models, so buyers will need to consider their needs and budget carefully.
Final Thoughts
As we wrap up this comparison, it’s clear that both the 2023 Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox are compelling choices in the compact SUV segment. Each brings its unique flavor to the table – the Ford Escape with its modern design language, abundant cargo space, and impressive hybrid option, and the Chevy Equinox with its classic charm, competitive performance, and array of luxury features.
The choice ultimately boils down to personal preference and priorities. Whether you value fuel efficiency, storage, power, or a particular design aesthetic, both models have something special to offer. As always, taking a test drive in both vehicles will give you the best sense of which SUV suits your lifestyle and needs the best. Happy car hunting!
Features Breakdown
2023 Ford Escape
- Exterior Design: Modern, streamlined design with smooth lines and a stylish front fascia.
- Interior Design: Minimalist, functional aesthetic with high-quality materials and intuitive controls.
- Seating: Comfortable seating for five with ample legroom and headroom.
- Storage: Generous storage with 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
- Performance: Base 1.5L EcoBoost engine with 181 horsepower; optional 2.0L engine with 250 horsepower; hybrid variant available.
- Fuel Efficiency: Impressive fuel efficiency with the base engine offering an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway; the hybrid model offers an EPA estimated 44 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
- Safety: Comes equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360, a comprehensive suite of safety features. Optional features include Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Park Assist.
- Trim Levels: Available in S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims.
- Pricing: Base S trim starts at around $25,000; fully loaded Titanium trim can go upwards of $36,000.
2023 Chevy Equinox
- Exterior Design: Traditional, muscular stance with strong character lines.
- Interior Design: Classic, comfortable layout with high-quality materials and easy-to-reach controls.
- Seating: Plush seating for five with ample legroom and headroom.
- Storage: Decent storage with 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
- Performance: Base 1.5L Turbo engine with 170 horsepower; optional 2.0L engine with 252 horsepower.
- Fuel Efficiency: Decent fuel efficiency with the base engine offering an EPA estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
- Safety: Comes equipped with Chevy Safety Assist, a comprehensive suite of safety features. Higher trims offer features like Adaptive Cruise Control and a HD Surround Vision camera system.
- Trim Levels: Available in L, LS, LT, and Premier trims.
- Pricing: Base L trim starts at around $24,000; fully loaded Premier trim can edge towards $40,000.
