2024 Lexus GX vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier, more rugged design, embracing a European-inspired aesthetic. The refresh included a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo. The ST-Line Elite trim we tested featured 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale look akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked premium but felt hard and plasticky, though the seats were comfortable and supportive for long drives. The interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt scratchy and poorly reinforced.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus GX embraced a geometric styling overhaul, moving away from the softer lines of its predecessor. The spindle grille was less pronounced, flanked by standard triple-beam LED headlights. The new front end stood more vertically, giving the GX a more aggressive look. The interior was minimalist and sophisticated, with fewer physical buttons but retaining essential controls. The GX offered ample passenger space in the first and second rows, though the third row was tight for adults. Cargo space was generous, especially in the Overtrail models, which boasted up to 90.5 cubic feet of total cargo space.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 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 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively available with AWD. Despite the impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness common in some competitors.

The 2024 Lexus GX, on the other hand, replaced its V8 engine with a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Built on the GA-F truck platform, the GX felt stable both on-road and off-road. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated confidently, and the standard full-time 4WD with a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential ensured excellent off-road capability. The Overtrail trims added a locking rear differential and the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) for increased wheel articulation. The GX accelerated well and maintained composure through twists and turns, with effective brakes and minimal body roll.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was easy to adjust. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Passenger space was also slightly less than competitors, though the back seat's headroom was impressive.

The 2024 Lexus GX featured a more minimalist and sophisticated interior with fewer physical buttons. The first and second rows offered ample space for six-foot-tall adults, with 41.2 inches of legroom in the front and 36.7 inches in the second row. The third row was tight for adults, with only 31.7 inches of legroom. The GX excelled in cargo space, with 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 90.5 cubic feet in the Overtrail models.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system. Lower trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the ST-Line Elite and Platinum came with a 13.2-inch screen. Sync 4 was well-organized, with easy navigation between Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and the native navigation system. However, the system was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient.

The 2024 Lexus GX boasted a 14-inch touchscreen integrated into the dash, with USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad for front-seat passengers. The Lexus Interface infotainment system offered Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Drive Connect and Remote Connect subscription services. The GX came with a 10-speaker audio system, with an optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo in higher trims. While the Lexus Interface was user-friendly, the subscription costs after the initial three-year trial were a downside.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side-crash tests. The IIHS, however, did not grant 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 of ADAS, 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 a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Lexus GX saw significant improvements in safety, with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 now standard. This included pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, lane-departure warning, and road-sign recognition. A new proactive driving assist feature was also included. While the GX had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, its modern GA-F architecture and comprehensive ADAS suite inspired confidence in its safety.