2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape showcased a departure from its earlier, more rugged design, embracing a European-inspired aesthetic. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a central Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. The ST-Line Elite trim, which we tested, boasted 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked appealing but felt somewhat hard. Despite the abundance of plastic materials, the interior was comfortable, with a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat that made long drives enjoyable.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 exuded luxury, drawing inspiration from its smaller siblings, the CX-30 and CX-5, but on a grander scale. Its imposing presence was marked by a large grille, wide-set front end, and tasteful chrome trim. Inside, the top-tier models rivaled luxury brands with brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic accents. The CX-90 offered a range of trims, with the Turbo S Premium Plus model providing a truly luxurious experience. The interior design was both stylish and comfortable, with a focus on high-quality materials and a spacious layout.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered versatility with its powertrain options. The base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, available 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. While the Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable for daily driving, it lacked the performance tuning of a true sports crossover. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The Turbo S model impressed with 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, offering a thrilling exhaust note. All CX-90 models came with AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90's driving modes, including Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, allowed for varied driving experiences. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Both models excelled in handling, with the CX-90's agile performance reminiscent of a smaller vehicle.

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. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom in the back, but rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in lower trims. The Turbo S model featured a two-seat third row, providing slightly more cargo space. With 75.2 cubic feet of total cargo space in two-seater models, the CX-90 improved over the CX-9 but still lagged behind some rivals. Clever storage options, comfortable seats, and a panoramic sunroof added to the CX-90's appeal, making it a comfortable choice despite its slightly smaller capacity.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring an optional 13.2-inch touchscreen. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between applications like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. While the screen was visually appealing, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob placement was inconvenient. Overall, the tech features were intuitive and user-friendly.

Mazda's approach to technology in the 2024 CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions. The Mazda Connect system used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to enhance safety, the setup proved cumbersome for some tasks. However, the CX-90's personalization software, including facial recognition, offered a unique and convenient experience. Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls, provided familiar and efficient options for most users.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with strong performance in crash tests. The IIHS rated it "Good" in most tests but noted a "Marginal" score in the updated side-impact test. Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring, came standard. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added advanced features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

Mazda's i-Activsense suite of safety features was standard on the 2024 CX-90, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The CX-90 also featured smart brake support and lane-keeping assist. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well, given the strong safety record of its predecessor, the CX-9.