2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication that was hard to match in the small luxury SUV segment. Its design was a testament to Land Rover's ability to blend elegance with a sporty demeanor, drawing inspiration from the larger Range Rover's iconic silhouette. The Velar's exterior was characterized by its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and distinctive trapezoidal roof, all of which contributed to its unmistakable Range Rover identity. The vehicle's sleek form was further enhanced by subtle design elements like the sloping roofline and flush door handles, creating a streamlined yet robust appearance. Inside, the Velar's cabin was a showcase of high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship, with a focus on sleek, modern aesthetics. The interior featured a polished black center stack and three sharp screens, offering a sophisticated and user-friendly interface.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more contemporary crossover design, moving away from the rugged, boxy aesthetic of its predecessors. The refreshed model sported a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo prominently displayed. The Escape's exterior design was sleek and upscale, reminiscent of a Mazda CX-5, with body-color mirror caps and wheel-arch cladding. Inside, the Escape's ST-Line Elite trim boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, although it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. The interior was comfortable, with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics, making it a pleasant vehicle for long drives. Despite some plastic elements, the Escape's cabin was well-designed, with a focus on practicality and comfort.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in a driving experience that was distinct from previous Land Rover models. Its lower center of gravity and lighter weight contributed to improved handling and braking, making it more enjoyable on the road. The Velar offered a choice of engines, starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided adequate performance, but the optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system was the highlight. Available in two states of tune, it delivered up to 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, offering the high performance expected from a luxury SUV. The Velar's standard Terrain Response system and optional air suspension further enhanced its versatility, although its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2023 Ford Escape stood out with its range of powertrain options. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. For those seeking more power, the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired exclusively with all-wheel drive, provided strong acceleration and confident passing power. While the Escape's suspension was tuned for comfort rather than performance, it offered a smooth ride, especially on rough roads. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the over-boosted feel common in some competitors.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar prioritized style over space, resulting in a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs. Rear-seat passengers experienced limited headroom, and visibility was compromised by thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design also introduced some ergonomic challenges, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control and a bulky shifter that obstructed access to volume and climate controls. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the user experience with a cleaner interface and faster operation.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a comfortable and ergonomic interior, with well-positioned armrests and supportive seats. While it fell short of segment leaders in cargo space, offering up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, it was still practical for daily use. Passenger space was adequate, with slightly less rear-seat legroom than some competitors, but the back seat's headroom was commendable. The Escape's interior design focused on maximizing comfort and usability, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system exceeded expectations with its reliability and user-friendly interface. The system featured a simplified layout with fewer icons and logical arrangements, making it easy to access navigation, phone, and audio functions. The Velar also offered advanced features like a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest detours, while the 360-degree cameras provided a comprehensive view of the vehicle's surroundings. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, available with an 8-inch or 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The larger screen, standard on higher trims, enhanced the cabin's look and offered a well-organized interface with individual tiles for navigation, music, and Bluetooth pairing. The system was easy to navigate, with a static "Home" button for quick access to the main hub. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its overall feature set and ease of use were commendable.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been crash-tested by U.S. agencies, but it performed well in the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), earning five stars and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. However, it did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and lane-centering technology.