2024 Ford Bronco vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape presented a modern crossover design that leaned towards a more European aesthetic, moving away from the rugged, boxy look of its predecessors. 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, showcased 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt hard and plasticky. Despite this, the seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat provided ease in finding the perfect driving position. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, which felt cost-cutting, though the center console had a nice textured appearance.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Bronco embraced a retro design reminiscent of the 1960s, particularly successful in the two-door model. The Sasquatch Package enhanced its rugged look with a suspension lift and 35-inch mud-terrain tires, giving it a wide stance and purposeful appearance. The Bronco offered nine trim levels, with the Big Bend as the standard trim. The test vehicle, a four-door Big Bend with the Sasquatch Package, featured marine-grade upholstery that was water-resistant but not breathable. The interior included an 8-inch digital display and a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a flat dashboard and grab handles. The Bronco’s interior was more refined than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, with effective square side mirrors and a broad hood view, though the spare tire on the tailgate obstructed rear visibility.

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 was available with either FWD or AWD. 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, exclusively with AWD. Despite the 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 common in competitors.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend came standard with a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, generating 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, with a seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine offered 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, while the Raptor model boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco featured a part-time 4WD system, with an advanced system available. Off-roading technologies like Trail Control and Trail Turn Assist enhanced its capability. The test vehicle averaged 16.9 mpg during evaluation, with the Sasquatch Package affecting fuel efficiency. The Bronco excelled off-road but was noisy on highways, though it was enjoyable for daily driving.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics, though the steering wheel was visually unremarkable. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was adjustable for different drivers. Cargo space was limited, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, falling short of competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than rivals, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were padded to maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2024 Ford Bronco, particularly the four-door model, offered ample interior space, accommodating four adults comfortably. The absence of a rollbar in front of rear-seat passengers, unlike the Jeep Wrangler, improved comfort. The marine-grade vinyl upholstery trapped moisture, but cloth seats were available in the Heritage Edition. The Bronco featured removable roof panels and doors, allowing for an open-air experience. Cargo space in the two-door model was 22.4 cubic feet, expanding to 53.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The four-door model offered 38.3 cubic feet with the soft top and 83 cubic feet with seats down, though the hardtop reduced these figures slightly.

The 2023 Ford Escape was equipped with Sync 4, featuring an 8-inch or 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The larger screen, standard on higher trims, enhanced the cabin’s look and offered easy navigation between applications like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Despite minor annoyances like slow response times and inconvenient volume knob placement, the system was user-friendly and well-organized.

For 2024, the Ford Bronco included a 12-inch touchscreen Sync 4 system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, and SiriusXM 360L. Higher trims added a connected navigation system and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. However, the test vehicle experienced connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay and inconsistent voice recognition. The Bronco Trail App provided access to trail maps, enhancing its off-road appeal.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. The IIHS rated it “Good” in most tests but gave a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. Standard safety features included Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite, with options for Co-Pilot360 2.0, adding adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. The Mid Package added Co-Pilot360 technologies, including lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS rated the Bronco four-door favorably, except for its headlight performance. NHTSA ratings were incomplete, but it earned a four-star frontal-impact rating.