2023 Ford Escape vs 2022 Ford Explorer

In 2022, the Ford Explorer offered a diverse lineup of no fewer than eight different models, ranging in price from $33,745 to $54,495, not including the $1,495 destination charge. The lineup featured the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, and for 2022, a new ST-Line added a sporty touch to the Explorer XLT version.

For testing purposes, we examined the Explorer King Ranch, which came adorned with four-wheel drive (4WD), Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, culminating in an MSRP of $59,880, including the destination fee. Visually, the King Ranch was distinguished by its emblems on the doors and liftgate, shiny 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, though it didn’t stand out much from other Explorer models. Despite this, it remained an appealing SUV.

Its design was based on a rear-drive platform, resulting in a long and tall hood, short front overhang, rakish roofline, and tapering greenhouse that gave it a taut, athletic appearance. The signature "floating roof" effect, achieved by blacking out all pillars except those directly behind the rear doors, added to its visual appeal.

Inside, the Explorer King Ranch featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts, and King Ranch branding adorned the seats and center armrest pad. The chocolate brown over caramel interior was the only available color scheme, so those preferring different color combinations could opt for the Platinum trim instead.

However, the cabin revealed a contrasting mix of quality and less desirable materials, which sometimes detracted from its near $60,000 price point. Nonetheless, the Explorer King Ranch largely exuded a justified premium feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, veering away from the blocky exterior that characterized its first and second generations. With a refresh for 2023, the Escape received a traditional front end, a more refined grille, and a stylish LED light bar.

The Escape offered a variety of trims starting from the base Active and moving up through ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. Our test vehicle, a 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite, sported 19-inch wheels, body-color mirror caps, and wheel-arch cladding, giving it a sleek, upscale look, reminiscent of a Mazda CX-5.

Inside, the ST-Line Elite flaunted diamond-stitched leather upholstery that looked visually appealing but felt hard and plasticky. The seats, while comfortable for long drives, lacked the warmth of top-tier leather. The cabin had an ambiance suggesting durability over the years.

The Escape’s cabin featured a sea of plastic, some of which looked textured and appealing (like the center console), while most felt scratchy and poorly reinforced. Despite the prevalent use of plastic, some noted materials managed to maintain a decent appearance.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims came with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available in both RWD and 4WD, this engine had a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and delivered up to 24 mpg in combined driving.

Explorers in the Limited trim could opt for a hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.3-liter V6 engine, making 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs and up to 27 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid system came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and was available in either RWD or 4WD.

For those seeking power over fuel efficiency, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, standard on ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims. This engine also paired with a 10-speed automatic, capable of towing up to 5,600 lbs, though it achieved a lower combined fuel economy of 21 mpg.

Our King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg on the testing loop, thanks to the V6’s potent power and satisfying acceleration. In contrast, the hybrid powertrain presented a favorable blend of power, efficiency, and capability, although it wasn’t available with the King Ranch trim.

Driving the Explorer, especially the King Ranch, felt robust and engaging, with sturdy off-roading capabilities facilitated by its Trail setting. Regular driving saw the Explorer perform athletically in corners, though driving enthusiasts might prefer the sport-tuned Explorer ST for an exhilarating experience.

The 2023 Ford Escape differentiated itself with multiple powertrain options. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder delivering 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available in both FWD and AWD, this engine was competitive within its segment.

Higher trims like the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Exclusively available with AWD, this powertrain provided better acceleration and performance at higher speeds.

Despite the four-cylinder’s higher output, the Escape remained more of a family-friendly SUV than a performance crossover. Its soft suspension handled potholes well, but didn’t deliver a sporty driving experience. The eight-speed transmission lacked performance tuning and offered no way to manually shift gears via paddle shifters.

The Escape showcased well-executed braking, soft suspension for comfortable rides, and well-weighted steering inputs, avoiding the over-boosted feel common in many compact crossovers.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered ample comfort for a family of four, with an occasional ability to accommodate five people using the second-row bench seat. However, its rear-drive platform, low rear roofline, and tapered tail made the third-row seat suitable primarily for children.

Our King Ranch test vehicle came fully equipped with triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. Massaging front seats were standard, providing exceptional comfort for long-distance driving. The second-row seats were nearly as accommodating, but the third-row was difficult for adults to access and lacked legroom.

Storage space within the cabin was limited, with small center console bins and a lack of practical pockets, shelves, and cubbies. However, thoughtful features like built-in rear cupholders and a hands-free power liftgate partially made up for this. Cargo space was 18.2 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, which expanded to 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2023 Ford Escape was comfortable, featuring supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, matching the center console’s height, and the cupholders were conveniently arranged. The head-up display was easily adjustable for drivers of varying heights.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Escape offered 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. This lagged behind competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 but was comparable to the Chevrolet Equinox and Mazda CX-5. The rear-seat legroom was slightly less than many rivals, but headroom was impressive, and the scalloped front seat backs maximized rear passenger space.

Ford’s 2022 Explorer offered two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system: an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10.1-inch touchscreen mounted portrait style. The smaller screen was well integrated, while the larger screen appeared tacked on, reducing the aesthetic appeal.

Our test model included a comprehensive suite of Sync 3 functionality, such as FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation. Additionally, the King Ranch featured wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system.

However, Sync 3’s voice recognition system had shortcomings, often misinterpreting commands and struggling with specific prompts. The Explorer needed an upgrade to Sync 4 for improved performance and a larger touchscreen display.

Conversely, the 2023 Ford Escape came with Sync 4, featuring an attractive and intuitive tech setup. Lower trims had an 8-inch touchscreen display, while higher trims, including the ST-Line Elite and Platinum, boasted a dominant 13.2-inch screen.

Sync 4 was well-organized with tiles for navigation, music, and Bluetooth pairing, and an easy-to-use static “Home” button. The system seamlessly transitioned between applications like Android Auto and native navigation, although it sometimes responded slowly to inputs. Minor annoyances included the far-right volume knob position, but overall, Sync 4’s features were impressive.

Every 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for 2022. Ford equipped every Explorer with Ford Co-Pilot360, including features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims came with Co-Pilot360 Assist+, which added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist.

The Explorer’s Co-Pilot360 features worked smoothly and accurately, though the system sometimes struggled with steering wheel sensitivity alerts.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS due to a Marginal side-impact test score. It performed well in other IIHS tests.

The Escape came with Ford Co-Pilot360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. An upgrade to Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, lane-centering technology, and a surround-view camera.