2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape presented a departure from its earlier, more rugged design, embracing a European-inspired 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, boasted 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, enhancing its sleek look. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery, while visually appealing, felt somewhat hard and plasticky. Despite this, the seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power adjustable driver's seat provided excellent ergonomics for long drives. However, the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cost-cutting.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner retained its classic, boxy design, reminiscent of its 2010 roots. This rugged exterior was complemented by flared fenders and a wide stance, enhancing its off-road appeal. The TRD Pro model we reviewed featured underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a beefy tubular roof rack, ready for challenging terrains. Inside, the 4Runner's design felt outdated, with analog instruments and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior was filled with hard plastics, but commonly touched surfaces were cushioned. The 4Runner's practicality shone through with its spacious interior, excellent visibility, and ample cargo space, although the third-row seating was limited to select trims.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a choice of two engines. The base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, available with either FWD or AWD. The more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, exclusive to AWD, delivered 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Despite its impressive output, the Escape's suspension remained soft, prioritizing comfort over performance. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness common in some competitors.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine, generated 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. However, its five-speed automatic transmission lagged behind competitors like the Bronco and Wrangler, which offered more gears for better acceleration and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came standard with 4WD and a two-speed transfer case, excelling off-road. On pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration. The soft suspension, while beneficial off-road, resulted in body roll and floatiness on highways. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner remained composed under hard braking.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable driving experience with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. However, it 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, though rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors. The Escape's interior featured a head-up display and well-positioned armrests, enhancing driver comfort.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though dated, was practical and spacious. The front seats offered ample space, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row provided generous legroom, though headroom was limited due to the elevated bench. The 4Runner excelled in cargo capacity, with 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the seats stowed. The sliding glass rear window and party speakers added unique functionality, while the lack of a powered liftgate was a minor inconvenience.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring an optional 13.2-inch touchscreen. The system was intuitive, with easy navigation between Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and native apps. However, the system was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, the tech features were well-organized and user-friendly.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system, while equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, was hindered by its small eight-inch touchscreen. The TRD Pro model included a 15-speaker JBL audio system, but road noise often overshadowed its quality. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, requiring familiarity with the owner's manual for optimal use. The system lacked off-road-specific apps found in competitors, limiting its utility during adventures.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with high scores in frontal and side-crash tests. However, it did not earn a Top Safety Pick from IIHS due to a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. Standard safety features included Co-Pilot360, offering 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 Toyota 4Runner earned four stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, with mixed results from IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. The TRD Pro and Limited trims offered a surround-view camera, though only the Limited included parking sensors. The 4Runner's safety systems were sometimes oversensitive, but adjustments were possible.