2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape presented a departure from its earlier, more rugged design, embracing a European-inspired aesthetic that was sleek and modern. The refresh included a more traditional front end with a centered Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar, replacing the previous grille design. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we tested, featured 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 somewhat hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat that was easy to customize. Despite the abundance of plastic materials, the interior was designed to withstand wear and tear, offering a comfortable driving experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic burly, body-on-frame look, with a redesigned grille for improved airflow and an integrated windshield antenna to prevent snagging during off-road adventures. The Wrangler offered a variety of roof options, including soft-top, hard top, and power-retractable sunroof configurations, along with removable doors and a foldable windshield for a customizable open-air experience. The Wrangler's rugged design was complemented by new wheel designs and the availability of a WARN winch on Rubicon models, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The interior featured heated seats and a heated steering wheel, with new 12-way power adjustable front seats that remained functional even when submerged in water.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a range of 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 could be configured 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, exclusively available with all-wheel drive. Despite its impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters for manual gear changes. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness found in some competitors.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse array of powertrains, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower, a plug-in hybrid version with 375 horsepower, a 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower, and a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower. The Wrangler's off-road prowess was supported by various transfer cases, including the Command-Trac, Selec-Trac, and Rock-Trac systems, each offering different levels of capability. Most models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual available for the 3.6-liter engine. The 4xe PHEV variant combined the 2.0-liter engine with electric motors for 21 miles of all-electric range, offering efficiency alongside power. The Wrangler's solid axles provided excellent articulation, and the Offroad+ mode optimized performance for different terrains.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and well-positioned armrests. The head-up display was easy to adjust, and the front-seat cupholders were conveniently arranged. 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 slightly less than rivals, but headroom was ample, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for taller passengers.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler saw an upgrade in towing capacity, now rated to tow 5,000 pounds for specific four-door Rubicon models. Inside, the Wrangler offered heated seats and a heated steering wheel, with new 12-way power adjustable front seats that remained functional even when submerged. The 4xe model featured a 30-amp Power Box, allowing for the use of various accessories. Despite its rugged nature, the Wrangler's ride quality on pavement was bumpy due to its solid front axle, though sound deadening improvements made the cabin quieter.

The 2023 Ford Escape was equipped with Sync 4, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims like the ST-Line Elite. The system was intuitive, with easy navigation between Android Auto and the native navigation system. A static "Home" button facilitated quick access to various applications. While Sync 4 was slightly slow to respond, its overall feature set and layout were impressive.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running Uconnect5, offering cleaner graphics and a user-friendly interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the system's speed was notably improved. The Off-Road Pages provided detailed data, and the Trails Offroad feature offered access to over 200 trails, with the option to subscribe for more. Additional features included a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and the ability to store multiple user profiles.

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 "Marginal" in the updated side-impact test. Standard safety features included Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, with options to upgrade to Co-Pilot360 2.0 for additional driver-assist technologies.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler introduced side-curtain airbags for the first and second rows. Forward collision warning was standard on most trims, while other advanced driver aids were optional. The 2023 Wrangler received four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA, with "Good" ratings from the IIHS in roof strength and head restraints.