2024 Genesis GV80 vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier rugged, boxy design, embracing a more European aesthetic. This model featured a refreshed front end with a traditional grille and a stylish LED light bar, giving it a more upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we tested, sported 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, enhancing its sleek look. Inside, the Escape boasted diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt somewhat hard and plasticky. Despite this, the seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat made long drives enjoyable. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV80 exuded luxury, especially in the Prestige Signature trim we tested. The exterior, available in exclusive colors like Mauna Red, featured dark chrome trim and 22-inch wheels. Inside, the Ultramarine Blue over Dune interior was lavish, with diamond-stitched Nappa leather, a suede headliner, and metallic accents. The GV80's cabin was equipped with ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen display, reinforcing its status as a luxury SUV. Despite its opulence, the Prestige Signature's exterior was relatively plain, and the wheel design was obscured by black paint. The GV80 was unmistakably a luxury vehicle, though we found the regular Prestige trim more appealing.

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. This engine could be paired with either FWD or AWD. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. Despite its impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and an eight-speed transmission lacking performance tuning. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Our test vehicle featured the latter, providing satisfying performance but lower fuel efficiency, with an observed 17.2 mpg. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The GV80 offered five driving modes and could tow up to 6,000 pounds. The 3.5T model included upgraded brakes and an adaptive damping suspension, delivering a rewarding driving experience with swift acceleration and commendable grip from its all-season tires. The steering, while unremarkable, was comfortable for long drives.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel felt great to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, lagging behind competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Rear-seat legroom was also slightly less than rivals, though headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for tall passengers.

In the 2024 Genesis GV80, only the 3.5T Advanced trim offered a third-row seat, while the Prestige Signature accommodated four people with second-row captain’s chairs. The interior featured artificial, real, or premium leather, depending on the trim, with standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Our test vehicle included a panoramic roof, triple-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats with massage functions. However, the seats were uncomfortable for long trips, and rear-seat legroom was limited. Cargo space measured 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 84 cubic feet with the seats folded, though the rear center console required careful loading.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 technology, featuring an 8-inch or optional 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. While Sync 4 was intuitive, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, the system's feature set and layout were commendable.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, though its placement required using a control dial on the center console. The system included navigation, SiriusXM, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Wi-Fi hotspot was available for the first time in 2024, and wireless smartphone charging was standard. The GV80's infotainment display was graphically pleasing, with a simple and intuitive interface. The digital key system allowed smartphone access, and most trims included a Lexicon premium sound system. The Prestige trims added a head-up display, enhancing safety with blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, the IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick designation due to a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 was equipped with numerous ADAS features, including a Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). HDA worked well in light traffic but was less desirable in heavy traffic. The Blind-Spot View Monitor provided a video feed in the digital instrument panel, enhancing safety during lane changes. The GV80 also offered a Remote Smart Parking Assist system, allowing the SUV to park itself. The IIHS awarded the GV80 a Top Safety Pick+ rating, and the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, though the frontal-impact test received four stars for driver and passenger positions.