2023 Ford Escape vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Ford Escape represented a significant departure from its earlier versions, showcasing a modern European design language rather than the rugged, boxy aesthetic that characterized the first two generations. The refresh in 2023 replaced the previously criticized grille with a more traditional front end, highlighted by the centrally positioned Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. The vehicle offered a variety of trims, including Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite, with our test focusing on the ST-Line Elite.

Even though the new Escape might not have looked like an off-road warrior, it had an attractive and upscale appearance. Our top-trim ST-Line Elite rode on 19-inch wheels and came with body-color mirror caps and wheel-arch cladding, giving it a more polished look. Inside, the diamond-stitched leather upholstery, while visually appealing, felt hard and plasticky rather than soft and luxurious. The seats themselves were comfortable with a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, making long drives enjoyable.

In comparison, the 2023 Honda Pilot adopted a more rugged and substantial exterior design, which made it appear larger and more commanding. This redesign made the Pilot not only visually bigger but also physically larger than its predecessor, with increased dimensions all around. This upgrade was particularly fitting for the all-terrain-capable TrailSport model, which included notable off-road enhancements such as a taller ride height, unique 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates.

The interior of the Pilot took a more conventional approach, focusing on functionality and versatility. The materials met class expectations, and the overall design emphasized function over form without sacrificing attractiveness. Our Elite trim featured a nine-inch touchscreen, which, while small for the available space, was still adequate. The Pilot’s interior design choices, such as the stowable second-row center seat, demonstrated a clever use of space and practical features.

The 2023 Ford Escape distinguished itself in the segment with multiple powertrain options. Its base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder 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 drive or all-wheel drive and provided competitive performance against other vehicles in its class.

Higher trims like the ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite came with a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine, also mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission but available exclusively with all-wheel drive, offered better acceleration and more confident high-speed passing. However, the Escape was more tuned for comfort than performance, with a soft suspension and a transmission geared towards smoothness rather than sportiness. Steering was well-weighted and the braking system provided predictable and linear stopping power, enhancing the vehicle’s overall driving experience.

The 2023 Honda Pilot, on the other hand, came equipped with an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, and while front-wheel drive was standard, all-wheel drive was available across all models and standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims.

The Pilot’s initial acceleration was responsive, making it easy to move from a standstill. The power delivery, while adequate, wasn’t particularly impressive, but the overall driving experience was smooth and comfortable. The Pilot handled corners with confidence, exhibiting noticeable body roll but without residual bouncing or rebounds. The vehicle’s steering was feather-light, ideal for tight maneuvers but less satisfying on the highway. For those opting for the TrailSport trim, the off-road capabilities were enhanced with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, making the Pilot adept at both family duties and adventurous outings.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel, though plain, was pleasant to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned for comfort. The front-seat cupholders were conveniently arranged in tandem, and the head-up display was easily adjustable for drivers of various heights. However, the Escape fell short in terms of cargo space, providing up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. This was less than several of its competitors, making it feel a bit cramped during larger cargo needs. Rear-seat legroom was also slightly less than the segment leaders, though headroom and front-seat back padding were commendable.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Pilot excelled in terms of interior space and versatility. Its conventional interior design included a useful dash shelf for the front passenger and larger infotainment screens on higher trims. The primary controls were logically placed, and the available storage solutions were abundant and clever. The Pilot’s real standout feature was the stowable second-row center seat, offering flexibility for more seating or a center pass-through for easier access to the third row. The second row offered ample space for adults, while the third row, though less comfortable for long trips, was sufficient for short trips.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Pilot was more spacious, offering 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row, which could be expanded by dropping the second-row center seat. The total cargo volume with all rear seats folded down was an impressive 114.3 cubic feet, significantly more than the Escape and even larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride.

Ford’s Sync 4 technology in the 2023 Escape was a highlight, featuring a user-friendly interface with clean graphics and logical navigation. The lower trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the ST-Line Elite included a 13.2-inch screen that dominated the interior and enhanced the overall cabin look. Sync 4 allowed easy transitions between applications like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and the native navigation system, which was visually appealing and operated smoothly. However, the system occasionally lagged in response to inputs and had some ergonomic quirks, such as the inconvenient placement of the volume knob.

For the 2023 Honda Pilot, stepping up to the EX-L trim and above provided numerous technological enhancements. These included a larger touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. The infotainment system was responsive, easy to use, and featured large on-screen buttons. Though its graphics were not the most modern, the functionality was superior. Higher trims added advanced features like navigation, a Bose premium audio system, remote monitoring via a smartphone app, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and the multi-view TrailWatch camera system for improved visibility during off-roading.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, performing well in frontal- and side-crash tests but scoring four stars in the rollover test. The IIHS did not award the Escape a Top Safety Pick or Pick+ designation, particularly noting a Marginal rating in its updated side-impact test. Despite this, the Escape scored top marks in other IIHS tests. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite came standard, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and other safety features. The Co-Pilot360 2.0 upgrade added more advanced driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Honda Pilot, expecting top NHTSA ratings, had already received a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. Standard Honda Sensing features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added low-speed automatic braking and parking sensors, while the TrailSport and Elite trims featured advanced camera systems for enhanced safety and off-road capability. In real-world use, Pilot’s safety systems performed reliably without false alarms and provided smooth operation, particularly with adaptive cruise control.